The present and future of the rural world

The school of Public Administration of Catalonia (EAPC) released issue 26 of the European Public Mosaic journal titled ‘Rural World’, focusing on the current and future challenges of rural development. This edition explores essential public policies needed to achieve territorial balance, generational renewal and environmental and economic sustainable measures in rural areas. It places these issues within a broad European context amid rural unrest that has prompted a rethinking of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The Journal includes multiple expert articles covering topics such as the EU’s rural vision, generational renewal, rural development and women’s role in innovation. Contributors include representatives from the European Commission, the OECD, EU-funded projects and NGOs.

Territorial approaches to rural development

The article by European Commission – DG AGRI expert Iwona Lisztwan explores the value of social capital created by LEADER and how its importance is inflated by the geo-political, social and environmental challenges faced by the EU. Her article ‘Territorial approaches to rural development: LEADER and CLLD in the European Union, do they now matter even more?’  notes that LEADER covers 65% of EU rural areas, and through its bottom-up approach is ‘deeply rooted in a wider national or regional setting’.

Lisztwan highlights how LEADER uses a vast spread of Local Action Groups (LAGs) to fulfil its objectives, adding that  'the fact that rural Europe has a network of more than 120 000 LAG members committed to local development yet united around the LEADER method through shared lessons and networking cannot be underestimated. Now is the time to make better use of them.’

The rural vision

Enrique Nieto and Sophie Nedlin’s article ‘The EU rural vision: a framework for action and future rural policies’ references the long-term vision for rural areas published by the European Commission in 2021, which outlined a ‘roadmap’ to support rural areas to become more resilient and connected by 2040. The article explores the importance of translating the rural vision into action at national, regional and local levels and elaborates on recommendations made by rural stakeholders to shape the future of rural policies in Europe, delving into the opportunities that the EU can create for local communities to deliver on its promises for rural development.

Female-led innovation in agriculture

Maura Farell, Aisling Murtagh, Louise Weir and Inge Van Oost authored the article ‘Breaking barriers: how Women are transforming agriculture and rural innovation’, based on findings from FLIARA - Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas. The article highlights the challenges of grasping the new opportunities for diversification in the input of women and minorities, and draws on the findings of this Horizon Europe project to ‘identify the challenges and favourable conditions facing women as they circumnavigate and strengthen their place on the farm’. The text offers a series of recommendations which could support women in their endeavours to add value to the family farm and enhance rural communities.