RURAL PROOFING ENSURES RURAL EUROPE COUNTS IN EVERY POLICY

Rural areas are vital to Europe’s prosperity, competitiveness, resilience and security. They produce our food, manage much of our land and natural resources and have enormous economic, social and environmental potential. Yet many rural communities continue to face demographic decline, limited access to services, connectivity gaps and fewer economic opportunities.

By Lidija Pavić-Rogošić

As rapporteur for the EESC opinion on rural proofing, I believe we need to change the way we look at rural areas. Their realities and potential must be considered across all EU policies, not only agriculture and rural development.

Thinking rural from the start

This is what rural proofing is about: asking, from the very beginning of policymaking, how will this decision affect people, businesses and communities in rural areas?

At its core, rural proofing means helping policymakers ‘think rural’ throughout the policy process, whether in transport, housing, digitalisation, health, education, energy or climate policy.

Although various rural proofing mechanisms already exist, their application remains fragmented. The EESC therefore recommends a practical EU-wide approach, applied throughout the policy cycle, from design and impact assessment to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Rural proofing should influence decisions rather than become another administrative box to tick. Its purpose is to support better policymaking.

Fair policies for all places

We also need better subnational data and rural impact assessments. Rural Europe is extremely diverse. A remote mountain community, an agricultural region, an island and a rural area close to a city may experience the same policy very differently.

The aim is simple: where people live should not determine the quality of opportunities available to them.

Giving rural communities a voice

But data alone are not enough. Rural communities and civil society must have a meaningful voice. Farmers, businesses, workers, young people, local authorities and civil society organisations know the realities on the ground. They should be involved early, while policy choices can still be influenced.

Several tools can help, including rural observatories, better indicators, stakeholder consultations, co-creation processes and rural networks. We should also build on existing EU initiatives such as the Long-Term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas, the Rural Pact and the Rural Action Plan.

Particular attention should be paid to women, young people and other vulnerable groups, whose ability to stay in, return to and thrive in rural areas is often shaped by access to housing, services, jobs, mobility and digital connectivity.

Unlocking rural potential

Rural areas are often discussed through the lens of decline. That overlooks their growing role in food production, renewable energy, innovation and climate action. Their potential in the bioeconomy, biodiversity and entrepreneurship should also be better unlocked.

For me, the objective is simple: rural communities should not have to adapt to policies designed without their realities in mind. When policies reflect rural needs and realities, they are more likely to deliver positive outcomes across areas and communities, strengthen rural-urban links and support places in becoming more resilient. And when rural proofing reveals unintended territorial impacts, it should lead to real policy adjustments and better solutions, not simply another report on a shelf.