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 #

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

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%)

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

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

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)

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

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 2020 - 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

Total public expenditure per RD priority (EU-28)

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)

Video presented… Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTS6gL_SyhU