The diversity of rural areas in Europe calls for a contextualised analysis to understand how the EU policies have influenced rural digitalisation in the different member states. In this regard, DESIRA partners from 15 countries have revised their national policies focusing on the digitalisation elements in rural development policies and the digital policies affecting rural areas.
A recent report completed by FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Switzerland) and all Living Lab (LL) coordinators, summarises possible digital futures in various contexts across the EU as well as stakeholders’ views on these potential developments. The work suggests a range of corresponding policy options to either mitigate negative impacts associated with digitalisation or to support an enhanced digital trend associated with positive impacts.
The Spanish cooperative bank Cajamar publishes ‘Mediterráneo Económico’ biannually, a monograph study where different experts are invited to share their views about a given topic. The last publication was presented on 24th March 2022 by the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and introduces the future challenges and opportunities of the Spanish rural areas.
Mar Delgado, partner of DESIRA and leader of the policy work, participated in the public hearing of the European Parliament on the future of rural areas.
MOVING has recently published 23 individual policy briefs, one for each of its Reference Regions. These documents include the description of the Mountain Reference Region, the value chain contribution to sustainability and resilience of the region, some innovation components and a number of policy relevant considerations. The policy [...]
On 26 January 2022, the Commission put forward the declaration of rights and principles, intended to guide the digital transformation in the EU. Digital rights and principles will guide the EU in promoting an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable society. The declaration is the first of its kind in [...]
Agricultural, forestry, and rural areas are undergoing a process of digital transformation. Digitalisation can have positive impacts on sustainability in terms of greater environmental control, and community prosperity. At the same time, it can also have disruptive effects, with the marginalisation of actors that cannot cope with the [...]
On 26 January 2022, as part of the General Assembly, DESIRA organised a round table on 'The importance of policies for the digitalisation of Rural Areas'. The policy session was moderated by Enrique Nieto, Head of the Policy Unit at AEIDL, and structured around two main sessions: the first one focused on policies for rural digitalisation, while the second one discussed the role of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and data economy in the digital transformation.
On 16 November 2021, the European Commission launched the Start-up Village Forum, an initiative to gather insights on challenges for and potential of rural start-up companies. As part of the EU’s Long-Term Vision for the Rural Areas and the Commission Action Plan for Rural Areas, this forum intends [...]
The 20th of December 2021 was a key day for rural development. The European Commission launched the Rural Pact, an initiative announced in the Long-Term Vision for the Rural Areas. This new pact aims to mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of [...]
