RURAL INNOVA - Réseau d’échanges pour une politique régionale de développement rural innovante

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There is still much disparity in terms of development between regions in the European Union. Rural territories are particularly threatened, largely due to their low populations and agricultural-based economies, which have been in decline since the early 20th century. In a bid to curb the devitalisation of these rural areas, the RURAL INNOVA project intends to build an interregional network to exchange good practices and transfer experiences in order to put non-agricultural rural development factors to better use, via 4 courses of action: Attracting new populations; Innovative economic activities; Essential services for the population; Perspectives and assessment. Overall objective / Objectif général The network has 3 objectives: to draw up a definition of rural development strategy with regards to coming policy of cohesion, in accordance with the 2nd pillar of the CAP; to improve coherence and efficiency of sectorial public policy affecting development in rural areas; to structure and federate rural areas in Europe around large communal orientations, thus contributing to an innovative approach to rural development. Expected results / Résultats attendus Many results are expected from the RURAL INNOVA project: take stock of the potential for innovative rural development; exchange good practices and transfer experience; Increase the partners’ ability to define new rural development policies; implement networks of agents and centres for transnational resources; increase the attractiveness of Europe’s rural regions. In addition to the added value involved in preparations for European programmes between 2007 and 2013, the partners in the network intend to issue, together with other European regions, a Statement in favour of innovative rural development, and to propose to the EU a specific RURAL programme for territorial cohesion in rural areas as the next Territorial Cooperation Objective.

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