DOCSLIB.ORG

RURAL ISOLATION of CITIZENS in EUROPE March 2016 Rural Isolation of Citizens in Europe 3

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
RURAL ISOLATION of CITIZENS in EUROPE March 2016 Rural Isolation of Citizens in Europe 3 RURAL ISOLATION OF CITIZENS IN EUROPE March 2016 Rural Isolation of Citizens in Europe 3 Contents Key terms 4 About Volonteurope About Volonteurope Volonteurope is an international network promoting volunteering, active Executive summary 5 citizenshipVolonteurope and social justice is an in international Europe and beyond.network promoting volunteering, active citizenship and social justice in Europe and beyond. Recommendations 7 Volonteurope works at all levels, from the local to the international, and Volonteurope works at all levels, from the local to the international, and across the public, private and third sectors. We facilitate exchange, foster Introduction 10 collaboration,across and the carry public, out privateresearch and and third advocacy. sectors. We facilitate exchange, foster collaboration, and carry out research and advocacy. Volonteurope currently has over 50 members in more than 20 countries Rural isolation: a multidimensional problem 12 across Europe.Volonteurope currently has over 50 members in more than 20 countries across Europe. Territorial, social and economic patterns across rural Europe 12 Established in the Netherlands in 1981, Volonteurope’s Secretariat is hosted by VolunteeringEstablished Matters, in the the Netherlands UK’s leading in volunteering 1981, Volonteurope’s charity in policySecretariat and is hosted The realities of rural isolation: opportunities, services and infrastructure 17 practice. by Volunteering Matters, the UK’s leading volunteering charity in policy and practice. European Rural Development Policy 24 From isolation to inclusion 26 Looking ahead 27 Contact: Contact: VolonteuropeVolonteurope Secretariat Secretariat c/o Volunteeringc/o Volunteering Matters Matters 18-24 Lower18-24 Clapton Lower Road Clapton Road Acknowledgements London E5London 0PD E5 0PD United KingdomUnited Kingdom E: [email protected]: [email protected] T: +44 20T: 3780 +44 587820 3780 5878 Volonteurope would like to thank the following for their contributions to this report: www.volonteurope.euwww.volonteurope.eu › Aleksandr Kurushev, EstYes › Justyna Duriasz-Bulhak, Polish Rural Development Foundation › Claire Alexander, Macmillan Cancer Support › Constantin Dedu, Imago Mundi Association › Iva Taralezhkova, Forum for Civic Participation and Devetashko Plato Association › Koos Mirck and Gert Hoogeboom, LVKK A special thanks also goes to André Hudepohl from Humanitas for his helpful comments, and to all those who took part in events and discussions throughout our two year campaign. Volonteurope is supported by the European Commission’s ‘Europe for Citizens Programme’. Sole responsibility for this report and its contents lies with Volonteurope. Cover Image: © European Commission 4 Rural Isolation of Citizens in Europe 5 Key terms Executive summary CAP Common Agricultural Policy Over the course of a two year campaign on rural sustainability. Investment in the BioEconomy1 isolation, Volonteurope has been gathering is also an effective way to foster sustainable evidence and good practice from the European economic development, and to create employment CLLD Community-led local development voluntary sector. Following the publication of a opportunities for rural workers. policy brief in 2014, seminars were held in Rome, Riga and Sofia, and a concluding conference was EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development held in Amsterdam, during which rural development Rural regions across Europe do not represent a experts and civil society actors from across Europe uniform group. EU European Union discussed the challenges facing rural communities Economic and social trends can be identified within and how these challenges should be addressed. macro-regions (Eastern Europe, North-Western This report brings together key findings from the Europe, and Mediterranean Europe), as can EU-15 Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, campaign, to show that: differences between older and newer EU Member the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom States. Nonetheless, rural development initiatives need to take into account the specificities of local Rural regions are economically and contexts. Problems and solutions will vary between EU-N13 The Member States who joined the EU in 2004, 2007 and 2013, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, demographically very important. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta Poland, Romania, countries and indeed regions, so responses must be Slovakia, and Slovenia More than half of the EU’s land area is classified as well targeted to a given area. predominantly rural and more than one fifth of the EU’s population lives in rural regions. Rural areas EU-28 All EU Member States provide food, raw materials, environmental services Rural isolation is a multidimensional issue and spaces for rest and recreation. They are also requiring a multidimensional response. home to some of Europe’s natural, cultural and It refers both to the wider systems that perpetuate GDP Gross Domestic Product historical heritage. rural poverty and social exclusion, such as remoteness and low population density, as well as the specific effects of these systems, such as poor GVA Gross Value Added Rural regions often lag behind urban and access to education or infrastructure. To effectively intermediate ones in a number of socio-economic combat rural isolation, cross-sector collaboration is indicators. ICT Information and Communications Technology therefore vital. Cooperation between organisations People living and working in rural Europe are and individuals with different areas of expertise usually at higher risk of poverty. They also often face is the only way to address the many aspects of LAG Local Action Group difficulties in accessing infrastructure and public the problem. In order to bring about real change, services, and display lower levels of employment, European institutions, governments, businesses NGO Non-governmental organisation income and educational attainment. The term and civil society must support each other and work rural isolation refers to these inequalities, as well together. as the mechanisms that perpetuate them such as RDP Rural Development Policy remoteness and low population density. Diversified investment in rural areas is needed to boost economic growth and employment In line with the Europe 2020 Strategy, the problem opportunities. of rural isolation is particularly pertinent. Areas with low levels of Gross Domestic Product The EU’s 2020 Strategy promotes “smart, inclusive and economic growth tend to be more at risk of and sustainable growth” in Europe during this poverty. Low investment levels in remote or sparsely decade. If Europe is to meet its targets for 2020, social exclusion in rural regions must be addressed 1 The parts of the economy that use renewable biological as a priority. Involving local communities in all resources such as crops, forests, fish, animals and micro- rural development efforts is key to ensuring their organisms to produce food, materials and energy. 6 Rural Isolation of Citizens in Europe 7 Recommendations populated areas may lead to low levels of economic Rural communities have tremendous These recommendations are only intended as a At the local level: and human capital. In turn, low capital formation development potential, and it is important to guideline. Problems will vary between countries 1) Support volunteering and grassroots action to leads to poorer economic performance and lower recognise and foster this. and regions, and these variations should be taken promote social inclusion. Recognise the role of levels of employment and income. This cycle can into account. Local communities understand their context and volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations only be broken by greater and more diversified needs, and are the best equipped to identify and in engaging citizens and promoting local ownership investment in rural areas. However, it is important EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS target the problems they face. Rural communities of projects. that outside investment does not monopolise must therefore be given a platform to articulate 2) Support the empowerment of rural communities. local economies, nor drain resources away from Investment and funding: these ideas and problems, whether that be an official communities. Communities should be encouraged 3) Involve vulnerable groups in the design, delivery rural parliament, or a more informal rural meeting. 1) Ensure that agricultural funding supports the to pull together and build small businesses and and evaluation of projects. They must be consulted and involved at every step poorest farms in Europe, including small family social enterprises that boost local economic growth of rural development processes, and empowered farms. sustainably. to take action. It should be recognised that rural 2) Aim to attract diversified investment in rural Europe 2020: communities have a lot to offer, and we must work areas, be it in tourism, industry or other types of together to create an enabling environment for 1) Continue to strengthen the rural dimension of An ageing and declining rural population is a services. them to reach their full potential. Europe 2020 by measuring its impact on rural growing problem in many Member States. 3) Increase the percentage of rural funding to areas. The European Semester should include Young people in particular leave rural areas to seek Community-Led Local Development. Strengthen the measurement
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Rural Connections Autumn /Winter 2018 1
    ISSN 2443-7379 EN European Network for Rural Development RURAL AUTUMN/ WINTER CONNECTIONS 2018 THE EUROPEAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE NEWS AND UPDATES • MAINSTREAMING THE BIOECONOMY • KEY STEPS FOR CAP STRATEGIC PLANNING • SMART VILLAGES GAINING MOMENTUM RURAL ISSUES, RURAL PERSPECTIVES • FIRST BALKAN RURAL PARLIAMENT • THINKING CAP • IMPROVING RURAL BROADBAND NETWORKS FOCUS ON… COMMUNICATIONS Funded by the https://enrd.ec.europa.eu European Network for Rural Development European Network for Rural Development The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) is Each Member State has established a National Rural the hub that connects rural development stakeholders Network (NRN) that brings together the organisations and throughout the European Union (EU). The ENRD contributes administrations involved in rural development. At EU level, to the effective implementation of Member States’ Rural the ENRD supports the networking of these NRNs, national Development Programmes (RDPs) by generating and sharing administrations and European organisations. knowledge, as well as through facilitating information exchange and cooperation across rural Europe. Find out more on the ENRD website (https://enrd.ec.europa.eu) Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). Managing editor: Neda Skakelja, Head of Unit, EC Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Editor: Derek McGlynn, Publications Manager, ENRD Contact Point Manuscript text finalised during December 2018. Original version is the English text. More information on the European Union is available on the internet (http://europa.eu).
    [Show full text]
  • PREPARE – Partnership for Rural Europe
    PREPARE Partners: PREPARE Network • Forum Synergies The PREPARE Network has been set up to enable • ECOVAST - European Council exchange and mutual support between all for the Village and Small Town who are interested in rural development throughout Europe. • All Sweden Shall Live • Estonian Village Movement KODUKANT • Village Action Association of Finland Funding • Polish Rural Forum • Hungarian Rural Parliament The PREPARE programme is funded from a variety of sources, public and private. The current • Slovakian Rural Parliament expansion of the work has been funded by • Slovenian Rural Development Network a generous grant from CS Mott Foundation • Lithuanian Rural Communities Union • Latvian Rural Forum • Czech National Rural Observatory • Croatian Rural Development Network Fondation de France PREPARE involvement in: Contact: • Coordination Committee of the European PREPARE office: Network for Rural Development Prešernova ulica 2, • European Leader Sub-committee SI-9240 Ljutomer, Slovenia • Advisory Group for Rural Development at the European Commission PREPARE Coordinator: • Thematic working groups of the ENRD Goran Šoster Strengthening civil society • European Rural Association – ERA Telephone: +386 41 797 613 • European Rural Communities Association – E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] ERCA Promoting multi – national exchange • Convention for Sustainable Urban and Rural You can find further contacts to the members Europe - CURE of the organising group, national networks and individual members of the PREPARE Network at
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN RURAL PARLIAMENT PRESS RELEASE – for IMMEDIATE USE Title: FUND for RURAL DEVELOPMENT
    EUROPEAN RURAL PARLIAMENT PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE Title: FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT Proposals for a new European fund for community led local development have been launched by the 3rd European Rural Parliament, meeting at the vibrant village of Venhorst, in North Brabant, The Netherlands. 250 people representing rural communities in 40 European countries called, in the Venhorst Declaration, for a new era of “bottom-up” local development, based on local action by rural communities. This is inspired by the rapidly growing number of local initiatives in both towns and countryside; and by the need to strengthen the vitality of rural areas throughout Europe. Now that the European institutions are shaping the future of EU programmes and funds, the European Rural Parliament calls for a new unified basis for funding of local development. This would bring together a significant slice of the four European Funds – Rural, Regional, Social and Maritime – into a fund for Community Led Local Development, managed in a unified way at European and national levels. These combined funds should then be deployed on a decentralised basis through LEADER groups and other local partnerships. This will generate the energy of local people and organisations working together, and encourage action suited to the very varied needs of each place. The Declaration also focuses on other key current issues in rural Europe. Participants at Venhorst applauded the successful holding of the first European Rural Youth Parliament in August 2017 and urged public authorities to ensure that young people can take part in funded programmes. They were encouraged by the increasingly widespread action of rural communities in welcoming refugees and economic migrants and in tackling poverty and social exclusion.
    [Show full text]
  • Rural Parliaments
    “Over the last 25 years, there has been a growing realisation that rural develop- Emerging ment will only truly work if it is done, not to the people but by the people for the people. Government alone cannot make it work. The people must be in- RURAL participative democracy volved, not simply as receivers of government action, but as prime movers of their own development. That is the realisation that lies behind the Rural Parliaments. They are driven by PARLIAMENTS pride, by assertiveness, by a willingness to act, by a sense that ‘we can do it, we do not need to be told by government what to do, we will raise our voice and be heard, we will take our future into our own hands’.” Michael Dower “United small villages influencing government policy is just one outcome of the rural movements in Europe. They also support, train and network thousands of rural communities. This is a quiet revolution, taking place in rural communities across Europe. The rural movements are mobilising rural communities to address their own futures, to work together to help each other and to influence policy at local, regional, national and EU levels. They represent an organised approach to providing a voice for rural areas, their people and the organisations working for rural development.” Vanessa Halhead Emerging participative democracy Emerging “In the century of dramatic changes, relationships between different social groups are blurred in complexity. Despite the flood of information, or perhaps because of it, several remote areas can easily be disregarded and excluded from society in the globalised world.
    [Show full text]
  • Andrzej Nowakowski
    What is ARC? • A civil society platform for stakeholders, European citizens and their organisations. • An innovative and transparent process to develop a strong and common message. ARC 2020, towards a new common voice for civil society An overwhelming majority of European citizens asks for a Common Agricultural Policy which ensures: – agricultural products of good quality, healthy and safe – reasonable food prices – a fair standard of living for farmers – protection of the environment Why do we need a new CAP? New challenges to face: – Climate change – Loss of biodiversity and natural resources – Increasing global food insecurity – Social and economic cohesion of rural areas ARC focus on CAP review • A paradigm shift in agriculture from a centralised food industry to a sustainable and diversified pattern of regional and local production and processing of food • An economic renaissance of rural areas based on the strength and diversity of communities and cultures How will ARC help to reform the CAP? • ARC complements the “Your Ideas Matter” debate launched by DG AGRI early 2010 • … & continues dialogue throughout reform • ARC uses the joint bargaining of Civil Society Organisations across Europe to develop and support its position statement to the EC and EP. ARC Negotiation Process Draft Framework Individual and Working group Communication collective input discussions 29/09/2010 Thematic conferences Working group Draft Communication 29/09/2010 discussions Individual and collective input Working group Draft Communication Thematic discussions
    [Show full text]
  • Rural Development and Pre-Accession Preparation in Hungary - Is There an Alternative Way?
    OSI International Policy Fellowship Final Policy Paper Rural Development and Pre-accession Preparation in Hungary - Is there an alternative way? Gusztáv Nemes March 2003 Abstract This paper intends to explore current trends of rural development and rural policies by the light of the approaching EU accession; and tries to give some concrete recommendations to Hungarian policy makers. We state that, the EU policies communicate rather contradictory messages, urging for centralisation (institutional, legislative) and continued subsidies for industrial agriculture on the one hand; and supporting decentralisation and an integrated rural development approach on the other. As a result of EU influence and domestic forces, in Hungary local and central sub- systems for rural development are emerging in parallel. We believe that the main cause for the failure of current and future rural policies is that the local system is not supported sufficiently and there is no adequate co-operation between the local and the central level of rural development in general. As a result, central resources cannot be efficiently delivered and local development potential cannot be unlocked. We suggest that, policy makers should take a much more integrated, diversified and multi-sectoral approach to rural development, using available domestic and EU resources in order to change the course of current rural policy practice. The diversification of the rural economy, improvement of locally added value; the development of short food chains; together with possibilities for the support of environmentally sensitive agricultural production would allow for the unlocking of our full rural development potential. On this way Hungarian rurality, from being a lagging follower of EU rural regions, could become a champion of the integrated rural development approach.
    [Show full text]
  • European Rural Parliament Sustaining Rural Services and Infrastructure Project Report – September 2017
    European Rural Parliament Sustaining Rural Services and Infrastructure Project Report – September 2017 Contents 1. Introduction Page 2 2. Methodology Page 2 3. Rural Services and Infrastructure Survey: The Page 5 results, commonality and nuances 4. Conclusions and recommendations Page 9 5. Appendices A - Case Studies Page 11 B - Rankings Table Page 24 C - Research Survey Page 25 D - Report from the Project Event Page 27 E - Partner Country Reports Page 29 Research and compilation carried out by Deborah Clarke, Action with Communities in Rural England. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data carried out by Keith Harrison, CEO, Action with Communities in Rural Kent. 1 1. Introduction This report has been prepared as part of the gathering of the European Rural Parliament (ERP) scheduled for October 2017 in the Netherlands. As its catalysts, the report takes forward agendas expressed in both the 2015 European Rural Parliament report All Europe Shall Live – the voice of rural people and the Cork Declaration of 2016 concerning provision of vital services and infrastructure in rural areas. In particular the report seeks to identify positive ways forward for addressing issues raised in sections 16 and 17 of the European Rural Manifesto (produced through the 2015 European Rural Parliament gathering) on rural services and infrastructure, and broadband and mobile communication. The report sets out findings from research involving rural actors across sixteen countries related to provision of infrastructure and services to rural communities (including broadband and mobile communication technologies.) In so doing, the report draws together a set of conclusions and recommendations that can be articulated at the 2017 European Rural Parliament gathering.
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland's Rural Parliament: Identifying Next Steps. a Report For
    Scotland’s Rural Parliament: Identifying next steps. A report for the Scottish Government Rural Policy Centre Research Report Dr Sarah Skerratt, Dr Jane Atterton and Dr Mike Woolvin August 2012 Scotland’s Rural Parliament: identifying next steps A report for the Scottish Government Rural Policy Centre Research Report 3rd August 2012 Dr Sarah Skerratt1, Dr Jane Atterton2 and Dr Mike Woolvin3 1 Senior Researcher and Team Leader, Rural Society Research, SAC. E: [email protected] 2 Researcher, Rural Policy Centre, SAC. E: [email protected] 3 Researcher, Rural Society Research, SAC. E: [email protected] 2 Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 4 Background, Aim and Objectives ...................................................................................... 8 Background to the study ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Aim and objectives of the study .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Methods used in the study ................................................................................................. 9 Structure of the Report ..................................................................................................... 10 Section 1: Review of stakeholder views from May 29th Event ......................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Estonian Village Movement KODUKANT
    The Estonian Village Movement KODUKANT Vanessa Halhead May 2004 THE ESTONIAN VILLAGE MOVEMENT Introduction This report on the Estonian Village Movement comprises one of four national case studies. The case studies are part of a wider report on the Rural Movements of Europe. The case study of Estonia was compiled from a study visit, which took place in August 2003. It documents the situation at this time, and much has taken place since then. It does, however, provide a useful insight into the origins, development, structure and activities of the movement. The report was produced, not as an academic analysis, but to provide useful information to those who have a practical interest in the process of rural development and the role and structure of the European rural movements. It is hoped that the report will provide useful information, inspiration and connections. The report comprises two sections: The National Context – provides essential information to set the rural movement within the context of the structure and administration of Estonia and its rural areas. The Estonian Village Movement Kodukant – gives a detailed account of the main features of the movement, comprising a factual account of its history, structure, activities, achievements and problems, and a full commentary providing an insight into the character of the movement and the issues raised by it. The itinerary for the research visit can be found at the end of the report. Acknowledgements The two weeks spent in Estonia was action packed. The members of Kodukant organised every moment to enable as full a picture of their work as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Xxxix Conferenza Italiana Di Scienze Regionali
    XXXIX CONFERENZA ITALIANA DI SCIENZE REGIONALI THE ADDED VALUE OF THE RURAL MOVEMENTS AS A GOVERNANCE APPROACH FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS. Giuseppe Gargano1 SUMMARY This paper explores the evolution of rural movements in Europe and highlights the increasing importance of their bottom-up development approach. More specifically, the study draws on the experience of rural movements in the Nordic and Eastern countries and their gathering within the Rural Parliaments with a focus on the Scottish Rural Parliament in order to establish the implications of their practices and their added value to the implementation of European and national rural development policies. It has the aim to highlight how rural movements can represent a great challenge for the countries with rich experience in this field to improve the quality of their events and for the countries without such an experience like Italy, that could profit from a discussion on this theme and prepare themselves to start with similar action on their own territory. 1. Introduction The European rural areas are experiencing a deep decline in terms of decreasing importance of agriculture in the rural economy, the globalization, the urbanization, remoteness and isolation of many rural communities. These factors contributed to the depopulation of rural communities which brought to rural-urban migration of young and educated people, regional inequalities and loss of rural services and hence of their identity. Governments are, by definition, remote from rural communities and cannot have their detailed knowledge. Moreover, the EU and national policies are more focused on the role of agriculture and less to the different characteristics of rural areas, their economies and societies.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementation of the EU Quality Policy: Case Study, Slovakia
    sustainability Article Implementation of the EU Quality Policy: Case Study, Slovakia Zuzana Palková 1 , Marieta Okenková 1, Marta Harniˇcárová 1,*, Jan Valíˇcek 1, Miroslav Gombár 2 , Jakub Dvorský 3,Mária Behanovská 3, Monika Slaninová 3, Monika Reiskupová 4 and Peter Vnuˇcko 5 1 Department of Electrical Engineering, Automation and Informatics, Faculty of Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; [email protected] (Z.P.); [email protected] (M.O.); [email protected] (J.V.) 2 Faculty of Management, University of Prešov in Prešov, Konštantínova 16, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia; [email protected] 3 Rural Parliament in Slovakia, Kapitulská 13, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia; [email protected] (J.D.); [email protected] (M.B.); [email protected] (M.S.) 4 Municipal Office in Nitra, Štefánikova trieda 60, 950 06 Nitra, Slovakia; [email protected] 5 Agroinstitut Nitra, Akademická 952/4, 949 01 Nitra-Chrenová, Slovakia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +421-37-641-5782 Abstract: The European Union Quality policy promotes original and traditional agricultural and food products of high quality at the EU level. It aims at protecting the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin, traditional know-how and local culture. In May 2020, the European Commission launched the EU-wide public consultation on its promotion policy for agricultural and food products to get feedback from citizens and stakeholders on the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the current measures, as well as their coherence with Citation: Palková, Z.; Okenková, M.; EU action in other areas and the added value of this kind of policy being implemented at the EU level.
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland's Rural Movement
    Scotland’s rural movement - the recording and outputs from the 2021vSRP Session on 8th March 2021 Session curated by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the James Hutton Institute and Professor Mark Shucksmith and chaired by Dr Jane Atterton, Manager of the Rural Policy Centre at SRUC. ___________________________________________________________________________ Dr Atterton highlighted the links between the session topic and current developments in democracy and localism including the review of local governance and the implementation of community empowerment legislation. Democratic innovations such as citizen assemblies, participatory budgeting and the Rural Parliament itself are presenting new platforms for communities to come together and collectively shape policy development and implementation. This SRP session explored ways of strengthening the collective agency of rural and island communities under the banner of a ‘rural movement for Scotland’. Summary of Presentations Phil Raines, Scottish Government Head of Rural Economy and Communities made the following points: • The Scottish Government made a commitment in the 2019/20 Programme for Government (PfG) to support the establishment of a rural movement in Scotland. Achieving this necessitates understanding the nature and structures of a ‘rural movement’. • The use of the lower case in the PfG raises interesting questions, seeming to imply that a ‘rural movement’ is not so much a policy or strategy, i.e. an output of the civil service, but rather a process that naturally exists and is driven by communities themselves. • This process requires the right kind of investment to provide platforms for all voices to be heard, in particular those quieter voices and those which are marginalised. Vanessa Halhead, Honorary President of Scottish Rural Action and Coordinator of the European Community Alliance (ERCA) offered a broad perspective of rural movements: • In the 1990s Scotland’s rural movement was supported by Rural Forum Scotland (RFS).
    [Show full text]