At the end of 2021, the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) organised its first Thematic Group meeting on the topic of Rural Revitalisation. The aim of the meeting was to discuss how to best support rural revitalisation and delve into initial ideas to shape the future Rural Revitalisation Platform that will be launched by the European Commission.
Over 50 attendees from various Member States participated in this first meeting, The event focused in particular on rural territories suffering from depopulation, population ageing and a lack of economic opportunities. To address these challenges, the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas has included the creation of a Rural Revitalisation Platform in 2022-2023.
The meeting discussed the key enabling factors for rural revitalisation and the lessons emerging from European-level and local initiatives. Spread out across breakout rooms, participants exchanged ideas on what can be done to ensure the enabling factors are put in place in policy initiatives. They also pointed out stakeholders’ needs that could be supported by the future Platform and how it can provide a distinct added value.
The 2nd meeting of the ENRD Thematic Group on Rural Revitalisation is scheduled for 31 March 2022.
Highlights of the first meeting can be found here.