Taking action to tackle rural depopulation

This event has ended.

Many rural areas in Europe are experiencing a long-term reduction of their population, particularly those in working age (20-64 years old) and youth (less than 20 years old), according to the recent report from Eurostat. This trend has serious consequences for both urban and rural areas through the exacerbation of socioeconomic disparities across regions. The ENRD[1] Rural Voices report in 2020 indicates that areas with declining populations are experiencing needs for viable public infrastructures and services, diversified income sources and decent jobs, as basic conditions for maintaining population.

The diagnosis is clear, and it is time for action. In 2021, the ENRD Thematic Group on rural revitalisation identified key enabling factors to address depopulation, emphasising the need to put in place an integrated rural policy framework involving all policies and funds as well as to offer flexible support to local communities to act.

The long-term vision for EU’s rural areas, including the Rural Pact have the ambition to support the revitalisation of rural areas suffering from depopulation so that, by 2040, they are stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous. In this respect, the European Commission is launching the rural revitalisation platform, a one-stop shop for rural communities, rural project holders and local authorities alike to connect, collaborate and get informed.

This Policy Action Lab is the launch event of the rural revitalisation platform. In addition, the event will provide an opportunity to build on the work conducted so far and explore how policies and actions can foster development in rural areas suffering from rural depopulation.

[1] The work of ENRD is continued as EU-CAP network

29 JUNE 2023

AGENDA

Highlights report

11 SEPTEMBER 2023

Highlights report

Powerpoint Presentations

7 JULY 2023

The Rural Revitalisation Platform – Marie Lambert, DG AGRI

7 JULY 2023

Introduction to the theme – Urszula Budzich-Tabor, RPSO

7 JULY 2023

Taking action to tackle rural depopulation in Spain – Juana López Pagan, Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge

7 JULY 2023

Integrating different policies and actors around rural depopulation in Finland – Auli Sihvola and Maria McPartlin, Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

7 JULY 2023

Lessons learnt from the national strategy for Italy's inner areas – Francesco Mantino, Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, Italy