Rural areas face social, structural and geographical challenges, although to differing extents. Yet, in addition to agriculture and food production, their environmental, cultural and social assets are valuable resources for the low-carbon economy, (social) innovation, environmental services, and tourism and recreation.
Cohesion Policy provides a long-term and dependable financial framework for rural areas, while at the same time allowing flexibility for Member States and regions to tailor their spending in accordance with the specific characteristics of rural areas. Yet, it appears that the wider structural and socio-economic challenges in rural areas are not adequately addressed.
Cohesion Policy funding allocation to rural areas is only about a quarter of that to urban areas, but it ranges from no explicit rural funding in some Member States to over 30% in others. In terms of funded themes, rural areas see the implementation of a lot of infrastructure projects, while there are more projects in the areas of low-carbon economy and research and innovation in urban areas. Policy coherence of Cohesion Policy with the EU’s rural development policy, which is an important source of funding in many countries, is challenging.
Cohesion Policy plays an important role in funding healthcare infrastructure and services, but the amount going into rural areas is seemingly very limited. The role of Cohesion Policy funding as part of the COVID-19 response in rural is as yet unclear.
Looking at Cohesion Policy post-2020, the future Policy Objectives allow addressing rural challenges, but thematic concentration requirements and territorial trends could result in rural areas being disadvantaged.
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[AT A GLANCE] EU Cohesion Policy in non-urban areas – Research4Committees · February 8, 2021 at 11:51 am
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