1. Priority 2 Targeted Analysis based on Stakeholder Demand Steinar Johansen Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research Potentials of Rural Regions (PURR)

2. In short, there are two main purposes To assess the rural (territorial) potentials of five regions To develop a methodology that can be applied when assessing the potentials of other rural regions In addition, the proposed methodology should be based on previous ESPON research and existing data, indicators and typologies The five regions are Notodden (no) Dumfries and Galloway (the UK) North Yorkshire (the UK) Cambrian Mountains (the UK) Amata and Vidzeme (Latvia) Purpose of the Project 2

3. Stakeholder demand Inductive (Bottom Up) Approach Extensive Use of Local Information (qualitative and quantitative) –Starting point of project Use of ESPON Information Data Indicators Typologies Combination of these approaches Approaches 3

4. From exogenous to endogenous development perspective Identify and utilise rural assets (capitals) to reach rural potentitals Financial Built Natural Social Human Cultural Political Different sources of information, not only existing (secondary) data, but just as important and necessary is local (qualitative and quantitative) information New Rural Paradigm – Asset Based Community Development 4

5. Step 1: Benchmarking the region based on existing information (European and National/regional) – the Magnifying Glass Step 2: Regional Context and Stakeholder Perspective (supplementary information): Informal discussions with Stakeholders A more formalised work-shop discussion A Template for discussing benchmarking process, supplemented with questionnaire A SWOT analysis Step 3: Assessing Territorial Potentials (based on step 1 & 2) Step 4: Policy Options and Future Development (based on steps 1 to 3) Four-Step Methodology 5

6. Inception report (comments from ESPON CU) Interim report (comments from ESPON CU) Revised interim report (submitted July) Draft Final Report (submitted August) Final Report (to be submitted) TPG meeting in September/October postponed Stakeholders different expectations From discussions to detailed plans Partners Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research London South Bank University Vidzeme University College Project Status and Partners 6

7. Five very diverse regions What is a rural region? Based on five Stakeholder regions Rich to poor regions. Different structures and development trends Two see developing central town as important rural strategy – implying local centralisation. Methodology is working Combining secondary info from different levels Extensive use of stakeholder info Methodology is no Black Box, where info is put in and potentials are outputs Methodology contributes to constructive discussions among stakeholders and awareness regarding potentials The stakeholders must be responsible for developing potentials, experts can only give advice Experience 7

8. Regional level Rural regions do not fit NUTS levels (too small, or overlapping NUTS borders) Are the Stakeholder regions in PURR rural? Typologies and indicator lists (EDORA and others) can be applied, but use of Magnifying Glass Structural information The development perspectives (potentials) of the PURR regions are based on more detailed information (for instance single firms) Are the regional and structural level of ESPON tools and info relevant for developing these types of regions? Use of ESPON tools 8

9. Thank you 9