Country Information
Spain
Management of Rural Development
Rural Development policy in Spain is under the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities. It is coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs at the National level. There is a National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Spain which provides the overall policy framework for rural development, complemented by 17 Regional Rural Development Programmes (RDPs). Each Autonomous Community has developed a Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013 which includes, alongside the horizontal measures and the Community elements established in the National Framework for Rural Development, specific measures addressing regional needs and differences. The 17 Autonomous Communities are:
- Andalusia
- Aragon
- Balearic Islands
- Basque Country
- Canary Islands
- Cantabria
- Castille and Leon
- Castille-La Mancha
- Catalonia
- Extremadura
- Galicia
- Madrid
- Murcia
- Navarre
- Principality of Asturias
- Rioja
- Valencia
* For further information about the Autonomous Communities and their individual rural development programmes please access the links above.
Summary of rural development policy objectives
The main objective of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for rural development is to maintain the population in rural areas and to improve the quality of life, by increasing the competitiveness of the agri-food and forestry sectors (agriculture, livestock, forestry and agri-food industry) that define most rural areas economically and socially. In addition, the NSP makes clear that it aims to enhance the environment as well as improve the capacity of local communities in order to add broader value to rural Spain.
Priorities include:
- Improving the competitiveness of the agri-food sector
- Promoting sustainability and protection of the natural environment
- Promoting the diversification of rural activities and improving the quality of life in rural areas4) Development of local rural community capacities and diversification
- Development of local rural community capacities and diversification
Relevant documents
- National Strategy Plan (NSP)
- National Rural Development Programme (RDP)
There is no National RDP but rather 17 separate regional RDPs. - Rural Development programme summaries: To see the detailed RDP fiches for each programme please click here.
Relevant organisations
- National Authority: Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs
- Managing Authorities by region
- Paying Agency
- National Rural Network (NRN):
- Local Action Groups on ENRD website
Other relevant links
- N/A
