1. A snapshot of the main challenges and opportunities of rural areas
Amsterdam Rural Forum
A snapshot of the main challenges and opportunities of rural areas
Edina Ocsko, ENRD CP
Amsterdam – 11 May 2016 #

2. Rural areas – Facts
Predominantly rural regions in the EU represent 52% of the territory and 23% of the population (21% of employment) – variations across MS

3. Main challenges of rural areas
Demography: aging population – outmigration (other movements: migration; counter-urbanisation)
Lagging behind in economic development/ unemployment
Remoteness: weak infrastructure/ lack of basic services
Lack or low-level education
Higher risk of poverty of rural areas (27.1% proportion of those at risk compared to towns & suburbs – 22.2% or cities – 24.4%)

4. Vicious circle Low population density
Lack of critical mass for services & infrastructure
Lower rate of business creation
Fewer jobs
Out-migration / ageing

5. Demography
Out-migration urbanisations & In-migration (counter- urbanisation)
Net trend is negative: declining population
Population density varies largely
Ageing – especially in the EU-15

6. Economic Development
GDP/capita is lower in rural regions than in urban regions (and lower in the EU-12)
Youth unemployment is high (25.1% in 2014)
The primary sector provided 14% of employment (24% in EU-12)

7. Education
Educational attainment (education levels and skills are low) is lower in thinly populated areas – intergenerational transmission
Lower participation in pre-school and formal education
Higher early school leaving rates

8. The 2014-2020 policy framework P1. Knowledge transfer& innovation
According to the Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013: “…rural development policy should also integrate the major policy objectives set out in the Communication from the Commission of 3 March 2010 entitled "Europe A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" ("the Europe 2020 Strategy")…”
Six Union Priorities for rural development have been specified:
P1. Knowledge transfer& innovation
P2. Competitiveness
P3. Food chain & risk management
P4. Ecosystems management
P5. Resource efficiency & climate
P6. Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas

9. Total public expenditure per RD priority
(EU-28)

10. P6 - Social inclusion & local development
P6 has been activated by all RDPs (110) - excluding (2) National frameworks, (4) NRN programmes and (2) National programmes
Support for social inclusion will support the following Focus Areas (FA) of intervention:
FA 6A - Facilitating diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation.
FA 6B - Promoting local development in rural areas.
FA 6C - Enhancing accessibility to, and use and quality of ICT in rural areas.
(77 RDPs)
(110 RDPs)
(54 RDPs)

11. Video presented…
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