The European Commission is actively committed to preserving rural regions and combating depopulation.
Initiatives such as the Rural Observatory, the Rural Pact, the EU Rural Action Plan or Regions of the EU aim to publicise the potential of rural environments to develop them and reactivate the economy and attract talent, something also favored by the ‘Member for the Promotion of Talent’ which seeks to support areas affected by population decline through the training, retention and attraction of more people.
Rural areas became popular after the pandemic, as citizens saw an escape to isolation in large cities, also offering spaces more open to nature. Since then, the quality of life offered by towns and small municipalities has not stopped attracting more and more inhabitants. That is why the European commitment is to provide the best conditions for all young people and families to attract them to rural areas.
Natural and cultural heritage as an engine for sustainable rural growth |
Offering work is the main dish on the European menu in its work in favor of rural areas.
The potential of the rural world
The rural world has a lot to offer. Here are some examples: Nazaret Mateos, the best sustainable farmer in the EU Ecological Awards, and who bets on Paredes de Nava, a palentino municipality where EntreSetas develops, a company dedicated to the cultivation of mushrooms in an ecological way. Another example is Zorzano, from the Rioja municipality of Agoncillo, are the developers of Insupanel, a product that reduces the cost of heating homes.
Europe gives visibility to these areas with projects such as ‘The Squares of Europe’ that allows to convert the squares of peoples of the Spanish geography as what they have always been: a great meeting point. In addition, different peoples have the possibility to receive information on how the European Union approaches defending their interests and, conversely, with programmes such as ‘Building Europe with local authorities’, small localities can defend them in the European institutions.
What do rural areas offer?
The increase in services provided by the European Union and national governments encourage a more comfortable ‘return’ to the countryside. The one that for many is better quality of life has attracted attention to numerous moves. This, complemented by a greater ease in transport and the installation of better communication networks and the Internet, has allowed teleworking, and many interested in life in small municipalities for various reasons.
In turn, small towns have also pursued policies to attract population such as job offers or rents at lower prices.
Regions of the EU
If there is a body of the European Union that is especially responsible for the representation of all European regions, it is the Committee of the Regions, where policies such as ‘Regions of the EU’ are carried out, which respects the needs of the citizens of all parts of the European Union countries.
In the Spanish case there are twenty-one political members who bring the concerns of the peoples of Spain closer to Europe. This is the triumph of European policy that transfers its powers to the different states that, in turn, hand them over to the different municipalities. Remember that the year 2024 will bring new European elections!
More information: Comisión Europea – Representación en España
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