Impacts of rural demographic challenges on environment and generational renewal: new thematic reports
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Agriculture and food
- Youth
- Entrepreneurship
- Nature and environment
- Land use
- Soil health
- Climate
- Demography
- Governance
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
Two recent thematic reports by the Interreg Europe ‘Down to Earth’ project demonstrate how rural areas facing demographic decline can build resilience and foster generational renewal through integrated policies.
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Explore the thematic project reports that make the case for linking support for young farmers, environmental management, innovation, and governance as part of broader EU and regional development strategies.
Environmental risks related to rural depopulation and ageing
This report explores how demographic challenges amplify environmental risks in rural regions across six partner areas: Galicia (Spain), Western Greece, Neckar-Alb (Germany), Campobasso (Italy), Romania, and Gorenjska (Slovenia).
It reveals that declining rural populations and land abandonment drive widespread environmental challenges, such as soil erosion, wildfires, biodiversity loss, and disruption of ecosystem services. The report makes the case for comprehensive rural development strategies and approaches linking governance, economy, local communities, territory, technology, and environment to build resilience.
Priority actions for public policies in rural areas include: enhancing training and capacity; strategic planning; and integration of ecosystem services, cultural initiatives, and governance frameworks.
Access barriers for young farmers in depopulated rural areas
The report examines generational renewal and the challenges young farmers face in depopulated regions, including limited access to land, bureaucratic barriers, and ageing farming population. It highlights opportunities such as climate adaptation, targeted common agricultural policy (CAP) reforms, economic diversification, and expansion of rural activities into niche markets.
Addressing the challenges of climate change, urbanisation, and global market pressures requires innovation, improved policy implementation, and intergenerational cooperation. The reports sets out recommendations for policy actions:
- Simplify and accelerate land access processes;
- Develop tailored financial instruments (grants, loans, guarantees);
- Expand training, advisory networks, and promote gender equity;
- Foster urban–rural linkages, climate-smart farming, and place-based diversification.
Explore the latest Rural Pact resources on demography and join the rural depopulation and repopulation community group to connect and exchange with peers.