COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION - SYNOPSIS REPORT Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040
Date: 2021-06-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: EU action, EU regional policy, economic and social cohesion, regional development, rural community, rural development, rural population, rural region, sustainable development, sustainable mobility

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 30.6.2021  SWD(2021) 167 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION - SYNOPSIS REPORT       Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040               {COM(2021) 345 final} - {SWD(2021) 166 final}  
 
 
1. INTRODUCTION: OBJECTIVES AND STAKEHOLDERS  

This report presents the outcome of the different strands of consultation conducted in support 
of  the  Communication  ‘A  long-term  Vision  for  EU’s  Rural  Areas  -  Towards  empowered, 
connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas’. The need for designing a long-term vision for 
rural areas was underlined in President von der Leyen’s political guidelines and in the mission 
letters to Vice-President Šuica (Democracy and Demography), Commissioner Wojciechowski 
(Agriculture) and Commissioner Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms). 

As  an  integral  part  of  the  ‘New  Push  for  European  Democracy’  priority  under  the  von  der 
Leyen Commission, the public consultation was geared towards achieving strong participation 
from  citizens  and  stakeholders  to  gauge  the  priorities  for  (i)  rural  areas  today  and  (ii)  rural 
areas of the future. 

The consultation  strategy  was  designed to  pay  particular  attention to  people living in  rural 
areas  as  well  as  local  and  regional  authorities,  as  outlined  in  the  mission  letter  to  Vice-
President  for  Democracy  and  Demography,  Dubravka  Šuica1.  The  consultation  process  was 
culminated in the Rural Vision Week, organised online between 22 and 26 March 2021. 

The process included the following consultation elements: 

Figure 1. Consultation streams for the long-term Vision for EU’s Rural Areas 

These consultation steps were planned in order to reach the stakeholders identified through the 
mapping conducted in the consultation strategy, which had identified the following groups:  

  Farmers and their organisations (at the EU, national and local level) 
  Consumers and their organisations (at the EU, national and local level) 

1

 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/sites/comm-

cwt2019/files/commissioner_mission_letters/mission-letter-dubravka-suica_en.pdf 

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  Private Sector – upstream-downstream (food chain  distribution etc.), rural businesses 

(at the EU, national and local level) 

  Member State Authorities (Governments, Parliaments, Public authorities) 
  Regional/local authorities 
  Environmental NGOs (at the EU, national and local level) 
  Other associations, NGOs and civil society organisations (at the EU, national local and 

level) 

  Rural networks (at the EU, national and regional level) 
  Academia, experts 
  Other interested groups and individuals 

The  consultation  took  place  against  the  backdrop  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  Most 
exchanges  and  consultations  were  carried  out  virtually,  except  a  limited  number  of  local 
events  organised  by  rural  networks.  All  identified  stakeholder  groups  have  been  reached 
through the different consultation activities2. 

2. METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS  

The  Commission  gathered  feedback  on  both  its  roadmap  and  online  public  consultation 
(OPC)  through  online  questionnaires.  The  feedback  on  the  roadmap  was  analysed 
quantitatively and qualitatively to identify challenges, opportunities and priorities for action. 
The online public consultation combined a mix of closed questions (where respondents replied 
to a pre-determined selection of answers) and open questions (where they were free to write 
any response they choose with up to 1000 characters per response). The questionnaire of the 
OPC focused on three main aspects (i) rural areas today, (ii) rural areas of the future and (iii) 
governance of rural areas.  

Several questions of the Special Eurobarometer 5043 referred to the situation of rural areas, 
to how things have changed from 2009 to 2020, and to the objectives of rural development, 
second pillar of the Common Agricultural  Policy  (CAP). This  survey was carried out  in  the 
EU27 between 3 August and 15 September 2020. In total, 27 237 EU citizens from different 
social  and  demographic  categories  were  interviewed,  in  most  cases  face-to-face  in  their 
mother tongue. Given the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent health and safety measures, a 
face-to-face  interview  was  either  not  possible  or  possible  only  to  a  certain  extent  in  some 
countries  and  was  replaced  by  online  interviews.  A  dedicated  Flash  Eurobarometer  4914 
was also carried out in the EU27 between 9 and 18 April 2021 assessing the priorities where 
the  long-term  Vision  for  rural  areas  should  focus  on.  A  total  of  25 841  EU  citizens  were 
interviewed over the telephone. The survey covered the following topics: (1) EU investment 
in rural areas, (2) transport and connections to rural areas, (3) consequences of the COVID-19 
pandemic, (4) environmental problems in rural areas, (5) participation of rural residents.  

The long-term Vision initiative was also presented in a number of events across the EU to get 
the  views  from  rural  stakeholders  and  regional  and  local  authorities.  For  each  event,  the 

2 See Annex I and the specifics reports for the Online Public Consultation and the Stakeholder package.  
3 https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2229 
4 https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2278  

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Commission  representatives  identified  the  main  issues  highlighted.  Targeted  stakeholder 
consultations took also place with national authorities dealing with rural development through 
the Rural Development Management Committee and rural development stakeholders through 
the Civil Dialogue Group on Rural Development, and in governance meetings of the EU Rural 
Networks. The participative foresight exercise for the development of the Vision, led by the 
Joint Research Centre, was undertaken within a series of meetings of a Thematic Group on the 
Long  Term  Rural  Vision,  set  up  under  the  European  Network  for  Rural  Development 
(ENRD).  

Additionally, the Commission prepared, with the support of the ENRD, a workshop package5 
“Welcome  to  our  Rural”,  provided  in  22  EU  languages  and  available  online  where  national 
rural networks (NRNs) and other rural stakeholders could download material allowing them to 
organise local participatory events focussing on their own local area and its likely and desired 
developments  from  now  until  2040.    Outcomes  were  reported  back  to  the  Commission  in 
“harvesting sheets” synthesising the results of the workshop discussions. The NRNs adapted 
the  material  to  their  local  conditions  and  the  time  and  resources  they  had  available.  Some 
groups  adhered  to  the  templates  very  closely;  some  used  them  more  loosely;  and  others 
developed additional and imaginative means to capture rural voices regarding their vision of 
the future of rural Europe in 2040. Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, almost all workshops 
took place virtually rather than face to face. Further details of the outcomes can be found in 
the  ENRD  report  “Rural  Voices:  A  qualitative  analysis  of  the  findings  from  stakeholder 
workshops contributing to the Long-term Vision for Rural Areas”6.   

Finally at the “Rural Vision Week: Imagining the future of Europe’s rural areas”, a large-
scale  participatory  conference  organised  online  by  the  ENRD  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
Commission between 22 and 26 March 2021, the results of the different consultation strands 
were presented, discussed with stakeholders and further developed. Dedicated workshops on 
key topics were also organised (this included 8 participative workshops, working plenaries, 11 
fringe events, the ENRD Rural Inspiration Awards ceremony, a market place where different 
stakeholders and networks presented their activities and initiatives linked to the Vision). The 
intention was to provide maximum opportunities for exchanges between participants, drawing 
out  collective  views  on  stakeholders’  aspirations  for  the  rural  Vision.  All  presentations  and 
information from the event are available on the ENRD7. 

3. CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES  

a. Consultation on the Commission roadmap  

The  roadmap  consultation  for  the  Vision  was  open  for  feedback  from  22  July  to  the 
9 September  2020.  It  has  been  answered  by  a  total  of  198  stakeholders  including  regional 
interest  representations,  thematic  networks,  international  organisations,  public  (national, 
regional and local) authorities, citizens’ organizations, academia and individual citizens.   

5 Available  at:  https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/long-term-vision-rural-areas-workshop-package-nrns-
and-other-rural-stakeholders_en  
6 https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/publications/rural-voices_en 
7 https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/rural2040-vision-week_en  

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The  vast  majority  of  position  papers  provided  pertained  to  the  content  of  the  initiative  as 
opposed to the roadmap itself (which focused on the process)8. In any case, the stakeholders’ 
contributions  for  this  exercise  have  also  been  taken  into  account  during  the  analysis  of  the 
outcomes of the online public consultation (OPC).  

b. Online public consultation (OPC) 

The  public  consultation,  open  from  7  September  to  30  November  2020,  collected  a  total  of 
2 326  responses  from  all  27  Member  States  and  87  positions  papers  from  different 
stakeholders.  

Figure 2 Number of respondents to the public consultation by country of origin 

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When  it  comes  to  the  categories  of  stakeholder  replying,  62%  were  citizens  (52%  of  which 
identified  as  living  in  a  rural  area  and  9%  in  a  remote  rural  area),  9%  businesses  and 
associations,  5%  academic  and  research  institutions,  9%  public  authorities,  7%  NGOs,  5% 
rural development networks and 2% other respondents.  

A flash Eurobarometer survey was conducted in April 2021 to complement the results of the 
OPC with a representative sample of EU population.  

The  results  of  the  OPC  can  be  consulted  in  the  “Factual  Summary  on  the  public 
consultation on the long/term vision for rural  areas”9 and in the “Synthesis of the online 
public consultation on the Long-term Vision for Rural Areas”. 

c. Eurobarometers  

Nearly  all  respondents  of  the  Special  Eurobarometer  504  (95%,  +3  percentage  points  since 
2017) think that agriculture and rural areas are important for the future. Looking at the longer 
trend, the proportion has increased by five percentage points since 2009. 

8 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/better-regulation-guidelines.pdf  
9 Available  at:  https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12525-Long-term-vision-
for-rural-areas/public-consultation  

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Respondents  were  asked  whether  things  in  rural  areas  in  their  country  have  improved,  got 
worse or stayed about the same compared with ten  years ago. A larger share of respondents 
think that things have improved when it comes to  access  to high-speed internet  connections 
and  transport  infrastructure  connecting  to  cities.  Conversely,  a  relative  majority  have 
answered that things have got worst for job opportunities and health services (figure 3). 

Figure 3 QA19 of Special Eurobarometer 504 on changes in rural areas in the last decade 

The key findings of the Flash Eurobarometer 491 can be summarized as follows; a majority 
(79%)  of  EU  citizens  support  the  EU  giving  consideration  to  rural  areas  in  public  spending 
decisions. Besides, 65% of EU citizens think that the local area or province should be able to 
decide how the EU investment in rural is spent. The most mentioned key need of rural areas 
(44%) is transport infrastructure and connections. Regarding the transport connections, remote 
rural areas respondents consider difficult or not possible to reach different services by public 
transport in their area (ranging between 52% and 59% depending on the service). Rural area 
respondents  would  like  to  have  access  to  more  local  bus  services.  Citizens  living  in  large 
towns and cities (61%) will be more likely to visit rural areas compared to before the COVID-
19 pandemic. Regarding the environment, a majority of respondents reply that environmental 
problems are an immediate problem for rural areas (ranging between 52% and 65% depending 
on the environmental problem). While, EU citizens, are divided when asked whether they can 
influence decisions affecting their local area, all respondents would like to be more involved 
by taking part in citizen consultations (63%), attending meetings or events organised in their 
local area or get involved in community-led projects (56%) and being more involved through 
social media feeds (42%).10  

10 Categories for the analysis: (1) a remote rural area, (2) a rural area or village, (3) a small or medium-sized town 
and (4) a large town/city.  

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d. Targeted consultations through meetings, conferences and events  

The  Commission  used this  stage  to  explore  the  issues  in  more  depth  and  detail.  Despite  the 
qualitative  nature  of  the  targeted  stakeholder  consultations,  there  were  surprising  levels  of 
consistency across the groups in their views. Key issues highlighted include the importance of 
depopulation  and generational  renewal  challenge, the need to  ensure access  to  infrastructure 
and services, in particular, mobility and connectivity, and the need for job opportunities. 

A detailed list of meetings, conferences and events and key issues highlighted is included in 
annex 1. 

e. Workshop Package  

As indicated in section 2, the European Commission, with the support of the ENRD, provided 
a  pack  of  materials  to  support  the  organisation  of  participatory  workshops  with  rural 
stakeholders. National Rural Networks (NRNs), Local Action Groups (LAGs), Europe Direct 
Centres,  local  authorities,  citizens  and  community  groups  have  contributed  to  the  European 
Commission’s  development  of  a  Long-Term  Vision  for  Rural  Areas  (LTVRA)  via  this 
consultation stream.  

The  package  was  available  from  November  2020,  and  in  order  to  meet  the  legislative 
timetable, the workshops had to be completed by the first week of February 2021. Despite this 
very  short  time  frame,  there  was  an  impressive  response  from  local  stakeholders,  with 
workshops organised in 19 Member States and 170 contributions received, involving more 
than 3 000 rural citizens as active participants.  

An overview produced by  the ENRD of key messages which emerged from  the stakeholder 
workshops on the Rural Vision is included in annex 2. 

f. Rural Vision Week  

The  participatory  week-long  conference  (organised  by  ENRD  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
European  Commission):  “Rural  Vision  Week:  Imagining  the  future  of  Europe’s  rural 
areas” took place as an online event from 22-26 March 2021.  

The participatory discussions throughout the event were organised around two key questions:  

a.  What are the key ideas that should be in the vision; and  
b.  What  are  the  key  changes/conditions  needed  to  get  to  the  vision  from  where  we  are 

today. 

Rural Vision Week attracted a high level of interest with a total 1 365 registrations received 
and  600  different  participants  “live”.  Participants  from  the  27  MSs  and  8  non-EU  countries 
attended. The event involved over 60 speakers, over 3 000 visits to the market-place, and over 
6 000 views of the event web-page. The event also got a high level of social media coverage 
engaging over 13 000 people via Facebook. The diffusion of the event can also be illustrated   
by the Rural Innovation Awards, which recognised EAFRD supported projects in a number of 

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thematic areas around 'Our Rural Future', linking to the Vision, which had over 10 000 votes 
in the Popular Vote category.  

Presentations, recordings of plenary sessions and key messages from Rural Vision Week are 
available online on the ENRD website11. 

g. Engagement with the European Parliament  

On the 29 January 2021 Robert Lins, member of the European Parliament (MEP) and chair of 
the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, submitted an oral question on behalf 
of  the  Committee  on  Agriculture  and  rural  Development  to  the  Commission  regarding  the 
Long-term  vision  for  rural  areas12.  The  main  issues  raised  in  the  oral  question  refer  to  the 
coordination  between  the  different  EU  policies  involved;  the  involvement  of  regional  and 
local  rural  authorities;  the  harmonisation  of  the  CAP  Strategic  Plans  and  adaptations  to  the 
CAP  instruments  with  the  Vision;  and  to  the  funding  for  rural  areas  under  the  CAP  and 
cohesion  policy.  Commissioner  Wojciechowski  provided  a  reply  on  behalf  of  the 
Commission. 

On 4 February 2021 a “Joint meeting of the Committee of the Regions Natural Resources 
Commission  and  the  European  Parliament's  Agriculture  Committee  on  a  long-term 
vision  for  rural  areas”  took  place.  Members  of  both  institutions  discussed  ways  to  boost 
recovery  in  Europe's  rural  areas  and  to  enable  regions  to  continue  to  play  their  role  in  the 
preparation  and  management  of  future  CAP.  MEPs  and  local  leaders  agreed  that  the  EU’s 
future  rural  development  policy  must  be  more  ambitious  and  contain  a  concrete  policy 
framework that will be monitored and evaluated. 

h. Engagement with the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and with the Economic and 
Social Committee (EESC) 

The  EESC  adopted  an  opinion  “An  integrated  approach  for  the  EU’s  rural  areas,  with 
particular emphasis on vulnerable regions” on September 2020. The CoR has also adopted 
an  opinion  on  the  necessary  action  to  undertake  for  rural  areas  on  December  2020,  “EU 
Strategy for Rural Revival”. The European Commission referred to the Long term vision for 
rural  areas  as  a  way  to  implement  a  number  of  their  requests.  Besides,  the  European 
Commission has engaged in several occasions with both committees on the specific needs of 
rural areas and the necessary policy answer. 

i. Meetings of Vice-President Šuica and Commissioner Wojciechowski with key 
stakeholders  

Since  September  2020,  Vice-President  Šuica  and  Commissioner  Wojciechowski  began 
meeting with key stakeholders engaged on the long term vision. These stakeholders’ positions 
echoed those expressed above. 

11 https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/rural2040-vision-week_en  
12 Question for oral answer  O-000005/2021 

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4. INTERDEPENDENCIES AND CONSISTENCIES IN THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STAKEHOLDERS  
There  is  a  high  degree  of  consistency  between  the  stakeholder  contributions  across  the 
different groups and between the findings emerging from each of the consultation strands. The 
primary concerns of stakeholder groups are listed below.  

(i) 

Urgent needs and challenges for rural areas:  

- 
Infrastructure; transport infrastructure and connectivity infrastructure.  
-  Lack  of  basic  services  and  amenities;  poor  quality  public  services 
(schools,  health  and  social  care,  public  transport),  quality  education  and 
training  opportunities,  quality  connectivity,  banks,  post  offices  and 
problems related to water management.  

-  Lack from quality jobs and quality jobs opportunities.  
-  Low-income levels. 
-  Limited generational renewal in agriculture. 
-  Population  ageing  and  especially  dramatic  population  decline in some 

rural areas.  
Insufficient and inappropriate housing for certain member states.  

- 
-  Threats to the environment.  
-  Capacity  building:  need  for  development  of  community  leadership, 

support for community activities and networking. 

-  Lack  of  participation  in  decision-making:  promotion  of  inclusion  and 
engagement,  clarified  governance  framework  incorporating  vertical  and 
horizontal linkages. 
Opportunities for rural areas: 

(ii) 

Economic opportunities:  
- 

Implementing  and  embracing  innovation  (economic  innovation  and 
social innovation, including networking to build scale). 

-  The  green  transition  and  green  economy  (including  Sustainable 

agriculture, renewable energy, value of ecosystem services). 

Attractiveness: 
-  Higher quality of life (proximity to nature). 
-  The feeling of belonging.  
- 

Inclusion and engagement. 

5.   MAIN MESSAGES FROM THE CONSULTATION PROCESS 

After analysing the results of consultation process listed above, it is possible to categorise the 
input in (i) Urgent needs and challenges for rural areas, (ii) Opportunities for rural areas, (iii) 
Key elements for developing the strategy and (iv) Specific actions proposed. 

(i) 

Urgent needs and challenges for rural areas: 

Stakeholders  have  shown  a  high  level  of  unanimity  when  speaking  about  infrastructure  in 
the  rural  areas.  There is  a generalised perception of lack of good quality infrastructure for 
several rural areas; transport infrastructure and connectivity infrastructure. 

Regarding  connectivity,  the  inadequate  and  sometimes  very  poor  access  to  digital 
infrastructure in a number of rural areas was highlighted. Besides, stakeholders have signalled 

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the weak digital skills of the rural population and the low level of digital innovation in rural 
SMEs. These three elements affect negatively rural areas to adhere the digital transformation.

Lack  of  basic  services  and  amenities.  In  several  rural  regions  key  public  services  are 
deficient,  services  such  as  public  transport,  quality  education  and  training  opportunities, 
banks,  post  offices  and  problems  related  to  water  management.  Most  of  the  consultation 
streams  have  highlighted  the  problem  of  poor  quality  public  services,  schools,  health  and 
social care, problems that intensify in the more remote is the rural area. 

In  certain  Member  States,  stakeholders  have  also  mentioned  the 
insufficient  and 
inappropriate  housing  situation  in  rural  areas  to  meet  the  current  needs.  For  example,  the 
lack of affordable house renting or the difficulty to find properties for sale. 

EU citizens consider threats to the environment among the needs to address in rural areas. 
The  most  mentioned  issue  is  the  anthropogenic  impact  on  biodiversity,  water  quality  and 
climate change. 

Stakeholders  consistently  expressed  the  need  for  capacity  building  to  develop  community 
leadership  and  support  community  organisations  and  activities.  There  is  much  existing 
capacity for mutual social support, but it needs support to develop, especially in areas where 
population is declining. 

There is a need for more  participation  of  rural  communities  in  the  decision  making that 
affects them. This requires active measures to reach and engage all members of community, 
including the young and the recently arrived, and an appropriate governance framework. 

Economic  needs  and  economic  opportunities  are  key  for  supporting  the  population  in  rural 
areas.  People  living  in  rural  areas  lack  quality  jobs  and  quality  job  opportunities.  Certain 
stakeholders  have  highlighted  that  in  rural  areas  exploitation  of  regional  value  added  is 
limited, including through tourism. In certain rural areas, the lack of economic diversification 
and  economic  activity  creates  fewer  job  opportunities  contributing  to  the  vicious  circle. 
Lower-income levels, such as in the agricultural sector, do not favour the settlement of people 
in rural areas, besides, they play a negative role in the lack of investment capacity of potential 
entrepreneurs. Efforts are needed to retain business decision making and value-added in rural 
areas, rather than exporting both power and profit. 

Agriculture keeps being considered as  a sector ensuring the sustainability  of rural  areas,  as 
well  as  the  wider  agri-food  sector.  However,  agriculture  suffers  from  limited  generational 
renewal  and  is  endangered  by  the  viability  of  small  farms.  There  is  a  recognised  need  for 
agriculture to become more sustainable. 

Rural  areas  suffer  from  demographic  changes  such  as  population  ageing  and  especially 
dramatic  population  decline  in  some  rural  areas.  Regions  at  risk  should  be  identified  and 
measures  that  look  for  territorial  rebalancing  should  be  adopted.  Some  stakeholders  support 
positive  discrimination  measures  for  regions  suffering  from  depopulation.  Innovative 
approaches to service provision are required, particularly in these areas. 

It should be highlighted that more than 40% of the respondents of the OPC living in rural 
areas  feel  left  behind  by  society;  the  share  is  higher  among  citizens  living  in  remote  rural 

9 

 
 
 
 
areas.  The reasons  for this perception  from  rural  citizens  refer to: deteriorated infrastructure 
and  services;  lack  of  economic  opportunities;  no  consideration  of  specific  needs  in  political 
decision-making. 

(ii) 

Opportunities for rural areas:  

Economic opportunities: 

  Agriculture  is  seen  as  ensuring  sustainability  through  job  creation,  access  to 
affordable  high-quality  food  and  maintenance  of  rural  landscapes.  While  rural  areas 
are  more  than  agriculture,  agriculture  still  plays  a  key  role  in  the  rural  fabric. 
Sustainable  agriculture  plays  an  important  role  in  the  transition  to  the  green 
economy, and in ensuring resilience in rural areas. In the future, agriculture should be 
more  sustainable,  have  stronger  local  connections  (short  supply  chains)  and  diverse 
value  chains.  Besides,  there  is  a  need  to  keep  investing  in  the  training  of  the  next 
generation of farmers and experts in 'geographical indications' (GIs) that can take over 
the activities since generational renewal is at risk.  

  Implementing and embracing innovation in all aspects is key for the future of rural 
areas – digital, production, social, community-led – is essential. Social innovations – 
community-led  and  community-based  –  are  particularly  relevant  for  rural  areas,  and 
need to be re-enforced and fostered for the future. Access to economic opportunities is 
seen as one of the main factors for attractive areas in the long term.  

The green transition:  

  The  green  transition  should  be  seen  as  a  benefit,  not  a  burden.  Rural  areas  are  well-
placed to build on their natural assets with the increased focus on mitigating/adapting 
to  climate  change.  This  requires  better  recognition  of  eco-system  services,  and  an 
inclusive approach that supports a fair transition. 

Services and connectivity:  

  The attractiveness of rural areas is conditioned by multiple  factors, especially by 
the provision of (e-)services (health and education), a better internet connectivity and 
more people living in rural areas. Access to care facilities is seen as one of the main 
factors for attractive areas in the long term.  

  Innovative  and  alternative  mobility  approaches  can  reduce  costs  and  climate 

impact, and improve accessibility. 

Attractiveness: 

  Higher  quality  of  life,  proximity  to  nature  and  sense  of  belonging  are  among  the 

multiple reasons so stay or settle in a rural areas. 

  The importance of the feeling of belonging is a key element of attractiveness for rural 
areas.  Rural  areas  in  2040  should  be  open  and  making  everyone  feel  included 
whatever their ethnic  group, gender, age, disability, origin.  This  requires working on 
the needs of both newcomers and current residents.  

  The  importance  of  preserving  the  “rural”  character  was  also  highlighted  ("the  rural 

should stay rural"). 

  The  appreciation  of  rural  areas  further  to  the  pandemic  (less  crowded,  less 

contamination; teleworking allowing to work from the courtside) 

10 

 
 
Further  to  the  analysis  of  the  opportunities  and  needs  highlighted,  a  key  element  for  rural 
areas is to enhance their resilience, which means rural areas have to go towards a fair, green 
and  inclusive  transition.  Being  resilient  includes  social,  green  and  economic  elements. 
Stakeholders  consider  that  smart  specialisation  can  add  value,  however  much  emphasis  is 
placed  on  diversity.  Diversification  and  cooperation  are  important  key  elements  of  rural 
resilience.  

(iii)  Key elements for the strategy:  

The different consultation processes have stressed the need of a long-term holistic strategy, 
at  the  appropriate  scale,  developed  through  bottom-up  processes  that  engage  local 
communities: with a holistic, inclusive, flexible and place-based approach. The participants in 
the consultation streams have signalled the following elements to be addressed by the Vision:  

  Improving access to infrastructure and services.  Some stakeholders supported the 
the  availability  of 

(benchmark) 

for 

establishment  of  a  basic  minimum 
infrastructure/services in rural areas.  

  Job  creation  and  support  to  rural  entrepreneurship  and  innovation.  The 
importance  to  support  innovation,  implementing  and  embracing  innovation  in  all 
aspects – digital, production, social, community-led – is essential. Social innovations – 
community-led  and  community-based  –  are  particularly  relevant  for  rural  areas,  and 
need to be re-enforced and fostered for the future.  

  Improve connectivity and digital solutions supporting smart villages to emerge and 
develop.  Broadband  is  a  basic  infrastructure,  on  equal  footing  with  water  and 
electricity.  To  make  the  best  of  digitalization,  there  is  a  need  to  develop  skills  and 
applications  tailored  to  rural  needs  through  digital  ecosystems.  Infrastructure,  skills 
and  applications  should  be  available,  affordable  and  accessible.  Appropriate  training 
and support to develop digital literacy is crucial. 

  Achieve climate, energy and biodiversity targets. Build on the natural assets of rural 
areas  to  contribute  to  national  targets,  within  an  appropriate  policy  and  regulatory 
framework which retains ownership, control and value in rural communities.  

  Addressing  demographic  challenges  including  depopulation,  generational  renewal 

and gender inequality. 

Employment  and  innovation,  access  to  infrastructure  and  services,  as  well  as  digital 
connectivity  are  identified  as  the  main  priorities  for  the  EU’s  long-term  Vision  and  Rural 
Action Plan.  

The different consultation process have stressed  the importance  of  a  bottom  up  approach 
that  can  account  for  the  diversity  of  rural  areas  and  engage  rural  communities.  The 
vision needs to promote  inclusion  and  engagement  of  the  full  range  of  different  groups 
(youth,  migrants,  elderly,  women,  minorities  etc.).  Vibrant  areas  in  the  future  depend  on 
bridges  built,  trust,  diversity  and  the  ownership  of  any  policy.  With  bottom-up  approaches, 
flexibility  and  real  ownership  of  activities,  many  win/win/win  opportunities  are  created  – 
bringing  social,  economic  and  environmental  benefits  to  the  local  community  and  beyond. 
Besides, there is a need to cooperate at all levels, Exchanges, working together and creating 
links (open communication) are crucial at  all levels,  and for all types of activity (economic, 
social  and  environmental),  as  can  bring  in  experiences,  enable  support  and  bring  the 
communities together. As “Small cannot do it alone”, the building of common agendas is very 
important. 

11 

 
 
  Many  participants  stressed  scope  to  use  existing  instruments,  notably  LEADER,  to 
help  design  and  deliver  the  future  vision  at  local  level.  Participants  highlighted  the 
importance to empower local communities by strengthening existing initiatives such 
as  Local  Action  Groups  (LAG)  and  LEADER  methodology  for  designing  rural 
development actions and stimulate their active contribution to EU policy-making.  
  Participatory approaches are also seen as ensuring active and direct contribution of 

rural people to policy-making processes.  

  Cooperation  and  networking,  engaging  at  local  level,  as  an  alternative  to  the 
traditional  route  of  consolidation.  Networks  can  operate  across  distances,  and  do  not 
have to involve geographical proximity. 

  Rural-urban  linkages  need  to  be  governed  by  balanced  partnerships  that  ensure  a 

level-playing field. Rural-rural links also should be promoted. 

(iv)  Specific actions proposed:  

The actors have proposed a number of specific measures to tackle the outlined challenges and 
to make the most of the highlighted opportunities proposing specific instruments and tools. To 
support rural development, EU policy and other levels of governments could: 

 

Improve the access and provide economic and financial support, including support to 
local projects and access to financing, either EU funding or private investment to rural 
actors.  Besides,  several  stakeholders  have  brought  attention  to  the  need  to  facilitate 
the  combination  of  different  instruments  for  territorial  development  (e.g. multi-
funding  between  ERDF  or  ESF+  and  the  EAFRD).  On  the  topic  of  funding, 
stakeholders have also  mentioned the need to reduce bureaucracy that often makes it 
difficult to develop positive bottom-up initiatives - lifting these obstacles will unlock 
rural initiatives’ potential. 

  Further improve the targeting of policies to local needs. There is a need for flexible 
policy  or  regulatory  frameworks  to  enable  and  support  local  actions,  with  strong 
political  commitment  and  responsibility  to  follow-up  at  all  levels  –  EU,  national, 
regional  and  local.  A  rural  proofing  mechanism  could  screen  different  policies 
(including State Aid and fiscal policies) through a “rural lens”. Stakeholders stressed 
that this mechanism should start immediately and encompass funding programmes. 

  Empower  local  communities  by  strengthening  existing  initiatives  (such  as  LAG 
and  LEADER)  and  stimulate  their  active  contribution  to  policy-making.  There  is  a 
strong need to  foster and support capacity building, engaging local actors and easing 
access to knowledge and solutions to unlock the potential for innovation, that in rural 
areas is often collective (social innovation). This requires development of community 
leadership  and  support  for  community  activities  and  networking.  Local  innovation 
brokers/animators are needed to create the seeds of change. LEADER plays a role in 
this respect. The potential of rural hubs was strongly highlighted. 

  Data  should  be  available  to  support  creation  of  economic  models  focused  not  on 
growth,  but  quality  of  life/well-being.  Data  needs  to  be  created,  communicated  and 
shared/used,  as  is  necessary  to  value  the  contribution  of  rural  areas  and  follow-up 
implementation of any action. Analytical models and data are needed to be ready for 
the future. In this context, the idea of rural observatory was suggested as a possible 
mechanism to be set up. 

12 

 
 
 
  Other  suggested  actions  concerned  various  social,  cultural,  economic,  and 

environmental aspects. 

Overall, there is very strong support across the EU for a long term Vision for rural areas with 
an action plan. 

6. HOW FEEDBACK WAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT  

Stakeholder  views  on  the  long  term  vision  and  the  actions  needed  were  analysed  and  taken 
into account as much as possible. Thus, the long term vision Communication includes an EU 
Rural Action Plan with concrete actions addressing challenges and opportunities highlighted 
in  the  public  consultation  and  presented  above.  The  Vision  addresses  4  blocks  referring  to 
stronger,  connected,  resilient  and  prosperous  rural  areas.  The  Commission  has  noted  the 
strong call to address  governance  related issues  and in  the Communication also  proposes to 
put  forward  an  EU  participatory  process,  linking  with  the  Committee  of  the  Regions, 
involving local levels of governance to examine the path towards the Vision. 

A  number  of  actions  proposed  by  stakeholders  in  the  consultation  touch  upon  –  or  are  the 
exclusive competence of – Member States. Implementing these actions will therefore depend 
on  Member  States’  engagement  through  the  proposed  Rural  Pact.  The  Commission  is 
prepared to support and complement Member State actions in this area. 

13 

 
 
 
Annex 1. Events in the context of the consultation activities of the Long Term Vision for 
EU’s Rural Areas.  

Date 

Event 

Organiser 

Key highlights of the discussion  

26/05/2020 

DG AGRI 

Rural 

13th 
Networks’ 
Steering  Group 
(SG) meeting 

02/09/2021 

DESIRA review 
meeting 

Research 
Executive 
Agency (REA) 

22-23/09/2020  1st 

Thematic 
(TG) 
Group 
meeting  on 
the 
Long  Term  Rural 
Vision 

ENRD 

06/10/2020 

Rural 

DG AGRI 

Development 
Committee 

08/10/2020 

DG AGRI 

Rural 

14th 
Networks’ 
Steering  Group 
meeting 

14 

The meeting served to inform SG 
members  of  the  purposes  and 
process  for  the  long  term  Vision 
for rural areas (LTVRA).  

Target  group:  members  of  EU 
Rural  Networks 
governance 
(public  authorities,  civil  society, 
networks 
LAGs, 
LEADER 
advisors/researchers etc). 

DESIRA  presented  its  brief  for 
LTVRA 
game 
changers  in  agriculture,  forestry 
and rural areas. 

digital 

on 

Target  group:  Scientists  and 
European Commission experts. 

for 

the  work  on 

The  meeting  served  to  set  the 
scene 
the 
LTVRA,  start  the  work  on  the 
Foresight  exercise  and  discussed 
the 
encouraging 
for 
stakeholder engagement. 

steps 

Target  group:  rural  development 
experts and practioners.  

Information  about  the  state  of 
play  and  about  the  report  on  the 
impact  of  demographic  change  – 
no comments.  

Target group: national authorities 
dealing with rural development. 

Information  on  steps  planned  for 
developing 
LTVRA. 
the 
Exchange  on  the  role  that  they 
and  rural  networks  could  play  to 
engage 
this 
stakeholders 
process.  

in 

Target  group:  members  of  EU 

 
 
governance 
Rural  Networks 
(public  authorities,  civil  society, 
LEADER 
networks 
LAGs, 
advisors/researchers etc). 

Very  worried  about  depopulation 
and  generational  renewal.  Need 
to support digital skills for people 
in  rural  areas,  in  particular  the 
senior. 

Target  group:  rural  stakeholders 
from 
by 
areas 
depopulation. 

affected 

  LTVRA 
Presentation  of 
focussing 
stakeholder 
on 
workshop  package  and  scope  for 
use in other policy settings. 

Responding  to  presentation  of 
research project, informing about 
illustrating 
LTVRA 
of 
linkages/policy 
project. 

relevance 

and 

Presentation  of  the  LTVRA  and 
debate with youth organizations.  

Target group: rural youth.  

The  meeting  continued  the  work 
carried  out  during  the  1st  TG 
Meeting 
Foresight 
exercise with the JRC. 

the 

on 

Target  group:  rural development 
experts and practioners.  

LTVRA 

informed  NRNs 
The  meeting 
and 
about 
the 
to  engage 
them 
encouraged 
stakeholders  in  their  respective 
countries. 
a 
presentation  by  DG  AGRI  and  a 
brief 
the 
Stakeholder Workshop Toolkit to 

exchange 

included 

on 

It 

11/10/2020 

Reto “España 
Vaciada” 

DG COMM 

12/10/2020 

JRC 

3rd Citizen 
Engagement and 
Deliberative 
Democracy 
Festival 

13/10/2020 

EWRC ESPON 
ESCAPE 

REGIO/ESPON 
ESCAPE 

13/10/2020 

20/10/2020 

BCO Network 
Support 
Facility 

ENRD 

EWRC - Young 
people's vision for 
rural areas and 
digitilisation  

Interim TG 
meeting on the 
Long Term Rural 
Vision 

22/10/2020 

18th 
Rural 
(NRN) Meeting 

National 
Network 

ENRD 

15 

 
 
 
engage rural stakeholders. 

Target  group:  Support  Units  of 
National Rural Networks. 

Presentation  of  LTVRA  to  19 
rural  research  and 
innovation 
projects  funded  under  Horizon 
2020  and  discussion  on  their 
results and potential inputs. 

Target  groups:  Scientists  and 
European Commission experts.  

Perceptions  of  spatial  injustice. 
Responding  to  project  findings. 
Informing about Rural Vision. 

Target  group: 
policy makers. 

scientists  and 

EU  recovery  needs  the  recovery 
rural  areas.  Generational 
of 
renewal  should  pay  particular 
attention to gender. CAP needs to 
equality. 
gender 
improve 
Important 
into 
to 
take  also 
account 
the  situation  of  old 
women in rural areas. 

Target group: rural women. 

The  workshop  informed  NRNs 
relevant 
the  LTVRA, 
about 
sources  of  information  such  as 
the  ENRD  Rural  Vision  Portal, 
and  shared  feedback  on  planned 
NRN 
engage 
stakeholders in LTVRA process. 

activities 

to 

Target  group:  Support  Units  of 
National Rural Networks. 

Need  to  ensure  basic  services, 
support  small  municipalities  and 
address  demographic  challenges 
in a demographic strategy. 

Target  group:  rural  people  from 

12/11/2020 

Rural research & 
policy workshop 

REA and AGRI 

23/11/2020 

Policy seminar 

RELOCAL 
consortium 

24/11/2020 

Europe Direct 
Extremadura 

Meeting with rural 
women - 
Castellón, 
Extremadura) and 
Albacete (ES) 

24/11/2020 

ENRD 

ENRD Workshop 
for National Rural 
Networks on 
Valorising and 
Communicating 
Successful 
Projects 

26/11/2020 

Reto demográfico 
- Next Generation 
EU27 

Europe Direct 
Castellón  

16 

 
 
27/11/2020 

Committee of 
the Regions 

Webinar: "A 
European Rural 
Agenda needed 
after COVID 
crisis" 

02-03/12/2020  2nd Thematic 

ENRD 

Group (TG) 
meeting on the 
Long Term Rural 
Vision 

04/12/2020 

DG AGRI 

7th meeting of the 
EU Rural 
Networks 
Assembly 

11/1/2021 

RURALIZATION 
review meeting 

REA 

27/01/2021 

ENRD 

3rd Thematic 
Group (TG) 
meeting on the 
Long Term Rural 
Vision 

17 

areas affected by depopulation. 

and 

The  ENRD  CP  presented  the 
rural 
work 
responses  to  COVID  and  the 
links to the LTVRA. 

results  on 

Target  group:  Committee  of  the 
Regions, 
Intergroups, 
stakeholders. 

EP 

The  meeting  continued  the  work 
on 
to 
the  Foresight  exercise 
the  scenarios. 
further  develop 
There  was  also  a  session  to 
discuss  activities  for  stakeholder 
involvement in the LTVRA. 

Target  group:  rural development 
experts and practioners.  

The  Assembly  served  to  inform 
members of the steps being taken 
for  developing 
the  LTVRA 
(inputs  from  DG  AGRI)  and 
discussed the role that they could 
play in stakeholder engagement. 

Target  group:  members  of  EU 
Rural  Networks 
governance 
(public  authorities,  civil  society, 
networks  
LAGs, 
LEADER 
advisors/researchers etc). 

Ruralization  presented  work  on 
trends  and  rural  dreams  of  the 
young as important inputs. 

Target  group: 
European Commission experts. 

  Scientists  and 

The  meeting  took  stock  of  the 
main  messages  emerging  from 
the  work  carried  out  so  far  by 
stakeholders  and  projects  around 
the EU, and exchanged about the 
common  strands  and  the  step 
changes  needed  to  ensure  the 

 
 
28/01/2021 

French NRN 
Meeting (regions) 

NRN France 
(Regions) 

11/02/2021 

19th NRN meeting  ENRD 

11/2/2021 

Civil dialogue 
group on rural 
development 

AGRI 

future LTVRA becomes a reality 
for 
rural  communities  across 
Europe. 

Target  group:  rural  development 
experts and practioners.  

Meeting  with  RED,  ANCT, 
LEADER  France  and  regional 
NRNs  and  ENRD  with  a  brief 
presentation 
the 
LTVRA process and next steps.  

describing 

Target group: members of French 
rural networks.  

The  meeting  shared  the  initial 
results  of  the  respective  NRN 
organised stakeholder discussions 
and  discussed  their  involvement 
in  the  forthcoming  Rural  Vision 
Week. 

Target  group:  Support  Units  of 
National Rural Networks. 

Importance  of  youth  and  digital 
("no fiber, no youth; no youth, no 
areas") 
rural 
vibrant 
Importance of agriculture beyond 
economy  and  jobs  -  landscape, 
environment,  quality  of 
life; 
impact  of  COVID  (new  eyes  for 
rural  areas).  Presentation  of 
lessons from research. 

Target 
dealing with rural development. 

stakeholders 

group: 

22-26/03/2021  Rural Vision 

ENRD 

Week: Imagining 
the future of 
Europe’s rural 
areas 

Large-scale  participatory  online 
event  around  the  Long  Term 
Vision – details in pt. 3(f). 

Target  group:    a  wide  range  of 
rural  development  stakeholders 
including  NGO’s/associations, 
Networks, 
Rural 
National 
LEADER  LAGs,  Managing 
bodies 
Authorities 

and 

18 

 
 
05/05/2021 

ENRD 

4th Thematic 
Group (TG) 
meeting on the 
Long Term Rural 
Vision 

representing  regional  and  local 
administration,  researchers,  EU 
institutions etc. 

The  meeting  took  stock  of  the 
main  messages  which  emerged 
from  Rural  Vision  Week,  shared 
experiences  from  MS  that  have 
developed  their  own  integrated 
rural  strategies  or  agendas,  and 
considered  how  stakeholders  can 
help  make  the  future  Vision  a 
reality  at  local  level  and  how 
provide 
networks 
support. 

best 

can 

Various 

OECD Rural 
Working Party 

OECD 

Target  group:  rural  development 
experts and practioners. 

Informing  about  the  rural  vision 
initiative,  highlighting  links  to 
OECD activities. 

Experts  on  rural  development 
from OECD countries. 

19 

 
 
 
Annex 2 – “Rural Voices”: Overview of key thematic messages from stakeholder workshops on the Rural (source: ENRD) 

TOPICS 

CURRENT CONCERNS  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE 

SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO ENABLE STEP CHANGES 

Infrastructure 
and services 

  Poor quality public services, schools, 

health and social care and 
infrastructure. 

  An overly urban-centric transport and 

mobility system. 

  The lack of vitality of village and town 

centres and hubs. 

 Scope for digital innovation, service hubs 
and rural schools for the provision of rural 
services  

 Growing demand for wider sustainable rural 
mobility approaches building on developing 
links between different modes of transport, 
on-demand services and new technologies. 

  Neglect of heritage of historic and 

 Revitalisation of rural centres and 

industrial buildings. 

  Insufficient and inappropriate housing 

to meet current needs. 

  Inadequate water supply, water 

treatment and flood and drought 
management. 

abandoned buildings to build a new rural 
identity.   

 A growing stock of rural housing which 

needs to be managed to support demands 
from existing and newcomers to rural areas. 

 The potential of improved water 

management infrastructure to tackle 
drought and floods. 

  Establish a base level of infrastructure to support the functioning of the 
rural welfare state comprising a basic minimum of services that can be 
considered a right (e.g. internet, access to public services, etc). 

  Invest in a modal shift from private cars to public transport and alternative 

mobility and from hydrocarbon to post carbon transport systems. 
  Remodel settlement centres and target investment on historic and 

traditional buildings to transform those that are no longer fit for purpose 
into vibrant community and business uses.  

  Enhance water infrastructure resilience, adapted to and with increased 
resilience to changing climate with respect to drinking water supplies, 
sewerage, flood management, storm water, drought and irrigation needs. 

  Capacity building and support for community/volunteer services 

  Poor access to digital infrastructure in 

 Emergence of the digital era, with new 

  Provide affordable digital infrastructure as a basic right, sufficient for 

Digital and 
technological 
change 

rural areas. 

  Weak digital skills of the rural 

population. 

  Low level of digital innovation in rural 

SMEs. 

models for the provision of basic of rural 
services, jobs, work practices and market 
access. 

 Growing demand for digital services and 
technological innovation at local level (in 
towns and farms). 

business activity, e-service provision and social life.  

  Enhance digital literacy of rural citizens via inclusive training, education 

programmes and information campaigns, and to enhance e-service provision 
and use. 

  Extend innovation partnerships and advisors into the wider rural domain 

and promote innovation activity more vigorously at local levels. 

Basic 
goods/food/ 
energy 

  An over-globalised food/energy 

 Growing movement around the 

  Agricultural production. Two alternative approaches emerge:  

system which ignores local potential 
and means that value is not retained in 
the local area. 

  The absence of succession plans and 
questionable viability of many small 
farms. 

  Inadequate advisory services. 

relocalisation of shorter food systems and 
wood product systems. 

 Emergence of technological developments 

that will enhance the professionalisation of 
farming and the connection to the 
bioeconomy. 

i)  Relocalise production, shorten supply chains and introduce 

regenerative and or organic farming practices based on traditional 
varieties and breeds; and  

ii) Harness the fruits of technology to reduce costs, environmental 

impact, raise productivity and produce crops suitable for the wider 
bioeconomy.   

 Demand for niche and high-quality crops 

  Reduce red tape and enhance processing opportunities both for local food 

20  

 
  
  Skill shortage in regenerative/ organic 

agriculture. 

  Low levels of involvement of rural 
communities in renewable energy 
production. 

  Weak recognition of the role of land 

use in carbon capture in rural land use 
(dealt with in the chapter on climate 
change).   

  A failure to embrace models for 
transformational change and 
sustainability transitions in basic 
industries, (farming, coal mining and 
coal-using communities) including 
addressing red tape/regulation.  

  Limited exploitation/retention of 
regional value added, including 
through tourism. 

  Poor development and value given to 

local crafts. 

  Low take up of circular economy 

principles. 

breeds and products based on local 
biodiversity/identity.  

 Growing recognition of regenerative 

agriculture as a sustainable farming practice.  

 Growing interest and awareness of 

community-based renewable energy 
production. 

 Scope to access new markets via digital tech 
 Availability of instruments for integrated 
transformational change such as Smart 
Villages, Energy Communities, LEADER, local 
food policies etc. 

 Growing political interest to support ‘just and 
green transition’ in rural communities with 
stranded hydrocarbon or carbon-based 
industries. 

 Emergence and reinvigoration of traditional 
and new sectors (e.g. social farming, craft 
work) and professionals contributing to rural 
diversification. 

 Emergence of new models for supporting 
entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. 
incubators, hubs, networks, etc.).  

  Limited recognition and support to 

innovative models of enterprise and  
lack of value/recognition of the 
provision of ecosystem services (ESS). 

 Growing market recognition of the value of 
regional identity and bio-based goods and 
services, including ESS, based on principles of 
sustainability and circularity. 

 Value added through processing and 

marketing centres, shorter supply chains and 
gastronomic, social and cultural tourism. 

and for food to be exported out of the region. 

  Support the entry of young adults into the land-based industries. 
  Target investments to induce environmentally friendly practices at the 
individual (small-scale, self-consumption) level (e.g. permaculture) and 
strengthening of other local and organic food initiatives. 

  Encourage modern technology in the land-based sector and development of 

the bioeconomy (e.g. vertical farming, genome editing methods).   
  Enhance lifelong learning in the land-based sector which embraces 

sustainability and circular economy principles. 

  Foster wide territorial planning approaches (which go beyond farming and 

forestry) that support the transition to a rural economy based on 
sustainability and circular economy principles. 

  Support systems/regulatory framework that encourage regional/community 
renewable energy action and a post-carbon transition in coal dependent 
communities. 

  Provide a good digital infrastructure as a prerequisite for a diversified 

modern economy in rural areas.  

  Create appropriate conditions for local entrepreneurship, to keep people in 

the countryside and develop creative approaches to promoting 
entrepreneurship such as teleworking centres, incubators, minimising red 
tape etc. 

  Support new models of collective and community entrepreneurship. 
  Support both commercial private sector entrepreneurship and social 

enterprises and be open to nurturing new models of work. 

  Support sustainable tourism which is better linked to the specific offer of the 
wider components of rural economies (e.g. linked to speciality foods, crafts 
and reinvigorating local culture). 

Income, work 
and jobs in the 
wider economy 

Social inclusion 
and vitality 

  Demographic change especially 

 Growing interest in moving to rural areas 

dramatic population decline in some 
rural areas. 

and Working From Home - all of which have 
been intensified by the COVID pandemic. 

  Divergent identities and differing 

sense of belonging of rural residents. 
  Gaps in inclusiveness and diversity in 

 Growth of a new shared sense of community 
and new rurality with existing residents, new 
arrivals and non-permanent residents.  

  Establish policy of incentives to encourage young people and professionals 
to settle in the countryside (e.g. tax incentives, adequate services) and 
support systems to find jobs, houses, etc. 

  Implement an activation programme for rural youth to support them to be 

professionally active in rural areas.  

  Support social inclusion actions for Roma and migrants via the RDP (e.g. 

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some rural areas. 

 Presence of strong rural identities which 

training and skills acquisitions for agriculture).  

  Limited civil society engagement and 
partnership in some areas, and need 
for support for community & volunteer 
organisations. 

  Limited territorial collaboration with 

third sector agencies. 

  Environmental damage from human 
sources, including rural production 
systems impacting biodiversity, water 
quality and climate change.   

  Deterioration in the condition and loss 
of cultural landscapes and historic 
buildings.  

  The lack of a culture of caring for the 
environment among rural people, 
including land managers. 

  Excessive waste and an absence of 

effective waste management. 
  The lack of a coherent vision or 
mechanisms to guide change in 
integrated territorial plans that could 
guide both productive and 
environmental functions of rural land, 
including adequate mechanisms to 
reward provision of ESS. 

slow down the rural exodus. 

 Recognition of inclusiveness and diversity as 

a value to bring positive change in the 
countryside integrating refugees and 
migrants.   

 Increasing demand for community social 
services for people in unfavourable life 
situations. 

 Further scope for action to reduce the 
adverse impacts of intensive land use 
systems on biodiversity and water quality. 

  Capacity building/support for community organisations e.g. investigate 
digital forms of creating a sense of community and participating in local 
development including ‘banks of volunteers’. 

  Enhance networking, cooperation and partnership building and ensure 

rural citizen participation in decision-making e.g. through LEADER. 

  Promote a change in values in society, valorising rural life. 

  Ensure farm policy and all rural sectors comply with the European Green 

Deal imperatives.   

  Consider rural land use needs much more centrally in the context of much 

 Recognition of the positive effects of 

broader land use planning and not as a separate entity.  

targeted and integrated approaches at a 
landscape scale through partnerships 
involving all key stakeholders. 

 Considerable potential for valorising both 

cultural landscapes and traditional buildings 
in ways that support tourism and other social 
activities. 

 Potential to change societal attitudes in the 
direction of more sustainable behaviours. 

 Availability of tools and instruments to 
develop wider integrated sustainability 
strategies. 

  Support collaborative management to address environmental damage at 

landscape scale in the farm and forest sector.   

  Bring together the different facets of sustainability planning in territorial 
plans that protect heritage land and buildings, engender restorative 
ecology, enhance water management and nurture sustainable behaviours. 
  Provide environmental education for all citizens as a public responsibility. 

Support training to farmers in regenerative agriculture practices.  

  Establish partnerships between Universities and agricultural education 

centres with their hinterlands to ensure that place-sensitive sustainability 
innovations are developed. 

  Support greater citizen involvement in shaping and managing greenspace 

on publicly owned land.   

  Ensure that the public goods associated with heritage landscapes and 

heritage buildings are maintained through support measures. 

Environment 

Climate change 

  Low levels of awareness of climate 

change impacts. 

 Relatively low carbon footprint in some rural 
areas, especially some of the least developed. 

  Move from planning for development to planning for local resilience. 
  Deepen the responses to climate change at national level and reassess the 

  Low levels of development and 
community engagement with 
renewable energy in rural Europe. 
  Limited engagement of land managers 
and others with climate mitigation 

 Increasing demand for renewable energy 

including the creation of renewable energy 
communities based on solar, wind or biomass 
systems and more self-consumption. 
 Growing societal interest to transition to 

legal framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and 
their implementation in strategies, plans and projects. 

  Promote innovative and smart low carbon planning and programming 

strategies and link them with regional and national strategies, programmes 
and projects.  

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and developing the bioeconomy, even 
when solutions are known, due in part 
to lack of incentives/skills  

climate friendly production methods, 
enhanced farm and forest management and 
the bioeconomy. 

  Inadequate adaptation to new climate 

 Wide scope for action in enhancing the 

  Support activities targeted at decreasing GHG emissions.  
  Support measures and activities which retain water in the countryside 

(where needed), through e.g. smart water management and management of 
rainwater, grey water, reconstruction of irrigation systems, green roofs, etc.  

realities. 

  The need to decarbonise beyond the 

energy sector. 

energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonising 
transport, and improving water 
management.  

  Build awareness and support education and training of professionals and 
experts in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures as well as 
citizens (including youth).  

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