New OECD paper sets out policy actions to address rural discontent
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Stronger Rural Areas
A recent OECD publication outlines policy responses designed to help the Netherlands tackle rural discontent. It calls for enhanced innovation, forward-thinking policy frameworks, and deeper understanding of rural residents’ concerns and needs.
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The policy paper ‘Rural discontent - Social unease and quality of life in the rural countryside’ zooms in on six policy domains that are particularly relevant to help mitigate rural discontent. These include fostering innovation and digitalisation, advancing the green transition, improving education and healthcare services, integrating foresight practices for long-term planning, and enhancing government communication within rural communities.
The paper extracts valuable lessons from France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom that could be relevant for the Netherlands.
It calls on governments to anticipate challenges and enhance preparedness for shocks and megatrends. Governments must also understand the realities of rural communities to create tailored policy responses.
The policy actions and recommendations highlight the importance of the OECD Rural well-being framework and Principles on rural policy, which provide valuable guidance for action and implementation support.