Implementation of the Territorial Agenda 2030: joining forces for rural areas
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Governance
- Democracy and participation
- Demography
- Access to services
- Transport and mobility
- Digital
- Rural-urban linkages
- Spatial planning
This publication presents the experiences, lessons and recommendations of the Territorial Agenda 2030 pilot action ‘A future for lagging regions: fostering the implementation of spatial strategies’, led by Germany. The pilot action explored how spatial planning and integrated, cooperative approaches can improve future prospects in rural and structurally disadvantaged regions.
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Author: German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR)
Publication: November 2023
The work is framed by the Territorial Agenda 2030 adopted by the ministers responsible for spatial planning, territorial development and territorial cohesion in December 2020. The Agenda promotes territorial cohesion and an inclusive and sustainable future for all places, calling for stronger territorial consideration in sectoral policies, place-based approaches and cooperation across levels of governance. These principles have particular relevance for diverse rural territories.
The report draws on cooperation between six model regions in Germany, France, Portugal and Austria, which tested approaches to regional development between 2020 and 2023. It examines national policy approaches for rural regions and experiences from the participating territories before focusing on three practical fields of action: building strategic local communities of responsibility; using digitalisation as an opportunity; and shaping rural mobility collaboratively.
A central message is that rural development requires cooperation across municipalities, sectors and governance levels, bringing together public administrations, businesses, civil society and other local actors. Strategic spatial planning can provide a framework for this cooperation, while locally adapted governance arrangements can help coordinate different policies and investments. The pilot action particularly targeted sparsely populated territories facing limited access to public services and economic and social opportunities.
Based on the model regions, the report formulates recommendations for cooperative regional development and considers how the territorial dimension can be strengthened within EU policy approaches. It emphasises integrated territorial strategies, stronger cooperation and local capacity, alongside approaches that recognise the diversity of rural regions rather than applying uniform solutions.
Why it is useful for rural areas
The publication translates the broad principles of the Territorial Agenda 2030 into practical lessons from rural regions. It is particularly useful for territories facing demographic change, accessibility challenges and difficulties maintaining services, where individual municipalities may lack the capacity to address challenges independently.
Its examples show how intermunicipal and regional cooperation, participatory governance, digital solutions and coordinated approaches to mobility can contribute to rural development. It also connects local experience with wider questions about how national and EU policies can become more place-sensitive and better account for territorial differences.
Who is this resource for?
The report is relevant for EU, national, regional and local policymakers; spatial and territorial planners; rural development practitioners; municipalities and intermunicipal partnerships; rural networks; civil society organisations; and stakeholders working on integrated and place-based rural development.
About the organisations
The BMWSB is Germany’s federal ministry responsible for housing, urban development and spatial planning. BBSR is the federal research institute providing research, analysis and policy advice on spatial development, urban development, housing and related territorial issues. They contributed to implementing the Territorial Agenda 2030 through Germany’s leadership and participation in pilot actions testing territorial approaches in practice.
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