On 30 June 2021, the European Commission put forward the vision for rural areas in 2040, based on a thorough diagnosis of the challenges and concerns that they are facing, as well as highlighting some of the most promising opportunities that are available. Central to the vision is the ambition to revitalise Europe’s rural areas, and mitigate the impact of negative trends, so that by 2040 they are stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous. It proposes a number of actions, flagships and tools with the ambition to drive the revitalisation of rural areas, including the setting-up of a Rural Revitalisation Platform that should be a one-stop-shop for rural communities, project holders and authorities to collaborate.
This was the first meeting of the ENRD Thematic Group (TG) on Rural Revitalisation, which is launched with the ambition to focus in more detail on this specific theme, and in turn to support the roll out of the vision in the Member States (MS) including at regional and local levels. The meeting provided a space for exchange on the key enabling factors that support rural revitalisation, with particular attention to those rural areas affected by population loss, ageing and a lack of economic opportunities.
Aims of the meeting
- To take stock of the key enabling factors for rural revitalisation based on existing analysis and reports produced by relevant institutions, projects and TG members’ practical experience;
- To learn from strategic approaches implemented by countries and regions to revitalise rural areas;
- To get a common understanding on the key enabling factors for rural revitalisation, and how to promote the design and uptake of policy tools to promote it; and
- To exchange on the possible further direction of the Thematic Group and how it can best contribute to the roll out of the Long-Term Vison for Rural Areas, including the shaping of the future Rural Revitalisation Platform.
Background documents
