Quality of Life in Rural Europe 2 June 2006 Henrik Litske Research Manager European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions 21/02/2019

Survey methodology Representative household survey Interviews in Spring 2003 Coverage: EU countries including 10 new Member States; 3 candidate countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey) Sample size: 600 – 1000 people Response rate: 58% 21/02/2019

Analytical reports 2006: Monitoring Quality of work and life Urban/rural differences (Professor Mark Shucksmith, University of Newcastle, UK) Participation in civil society Time use over the life course 21/02/2019

Where people live RURAL URBAN 21/02/2019

The people who live in rural Europe In comparison with urban residents they are: Older, retired Less likely to have a university education More likely to be married/living with partner Likely to have more children 21/02/2019

Poverty Indicator: Cannot afford to have friends/ family for a drink or meal at least once a month 21/02/2019

Did not use internet over the past month 21/02/2019

Social Capital Indicator: Served on a committee or did voluntary work 21/02/2019

Shucksmith / Analytical report Country clusters: EU 12 – High income EU 7 – Intermediate income EU 6 – Low income CC 3 The poorer the country, the bigger the differences between rural and urban areas More spending on broad rural development, targeted at poorer rural areas of the EU 21/02/2019

Promoting job creation through social capital in rural areas in Europe 21/02/2019

Working definition ‘Social capital’ is understood as interaction of individuals within formal networks Social trust Communication Participation Cultural dimension 21/02/2019

Belonging to networks Increases: Individual knowledge Employability Creativity Innovation Locally: Stimulates entrepreneurship, economic growth, employment and social cohesion 21/02/2019

Objectives of project To document the evidence that the level of social capital affects economic development and job creation across rural areas; and that increasing social capital is associated with job creation; To identify examples of how local and regional authorities, social partner initiatives and NGOs in rural communities have developed services, networks or facilities to create social capital and job creation, paying particular attention to the new Member States; To develop research-based recommendations for policy-making at local, national, and in particular, EU level. Minimum of three EU15 Member States, three new Member States, plus Bulgaria and Romania 21/02/2019

Next steps 2006-2007 Contract in June 2006 First draft report should be available by 16 November 2006 Final report should be available by 26 March 2007 Preparation of a high-profile policy conference, possibly with LEADER+ Observatory, in September 2007 21/02/2019