At the beginning of 2020, the European Commission initiated the preparation of a new long-term vision for rural areas. SHERPA is looking forward to contribute by feeding into this new process, the views of science-society-policy actors from 20 European territories.
To this aim, 20 Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) have been established within the SHERPA project, gathering a diverse base of stakeholders from science, society and policy. The 20 MAPs are invited to discuss their vision for the future of their rural territory over the next 20 years, as well as opportunities and local challenges. The time horizon proposed is the same as the one considered by the European Commission for the long-term vision, i.e. 2040.
To ease and guide the activities of the MAP, a discussion paper has been disseminated to the MAP facilitators and monitors that will inform and structure their exchanges. This SHERPA Discussion Paper provides a summary of opportunities and challenges identified in recent scientific and technical publications and outputs from research projects.
The outcomes of these activities will be documented in 20 MAP Position Papers which will be further summarised to inform the discussions in the SHERPA EU-level Multi-Actor Platform. The results will be debated during the SHERPA annual conference, planned for 1-2 December 2020.
Learn more about the role of Multi-Actor Platforms in the Rural Interfaces website section.