EU countries need to invest much more in keeping rural areas livable. The European Union must also develop more plans and allocate more funds for this in the 2023-2027 multiannual budget, according to a new report from the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament.
Rural areas are increasingly facing depopulation, poverty, and a lack of employment, healthcare, and education. According to the Agriculture Committee, more must also be done to improve accessibility to extensive rural regions.
The MEPs also draw attention to the growing dissatisfaction among rural populations, who feel insufficiently considered. The report therefore recommends involving regional and local authorities in decision-making.
The report is a response to an announcement made by the European Commission in mid-last year. It noted that many EU plans came to a partial halt due to the COVID pandemic. According to the Agriculture Committee, the widespread emergence of working from home/teleworking during the corona period offers a new opportunity for more employment in rural areas.
Funds from the large corona recovery fund should also be used to build a fiber optic cable network in rural areas. The report further emphasizes the role that rural areas play in preserving rural heritage, promoting nature conservation, and providing landscapes for recreation.
The European agricultural umbrella organization Copa-Cogeca welcomes the report on the long-term vision for rural areas. According to these organizations, the report provides an accurate picture of the challenges faced by rural areas while at the same time highlighting the opportunities in these regions.