• Urban-rural relations have been analyzed through the development of activities related to food, tourism, job creation, new opportunities and digitalization in rural areas.

In Europe, more than 96 million people live in rural areas, representing almost 22% of the total European population. Therefore, the trend of policies promoted within the Union has evolved toward a more territorial approach, focusing on the local level, with the aim of generating competitive advantages in the regions, and paying greater attention to the idea of integrated development .

In this context, it is important to underscore the importance of rural areas in the European Union, as they bring significant benefits to the entire region, contribute to cultural wealth and diversity, ensure the management of natural resources and quality products, and contribute to a greener and more sustainable Europe. However , they also face major challenges such as depopulation, an aging rural population, limited access to services, and the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

Urban-rural projects

For this reason, efforts in recent years have not only focused on aspects related to quality of life and social well-being, but have also been demanding the integration of rural and urban areas, conceiving the territory as a whole . This objective is being worked on by the H2020 project "ROBUST: Rural-Urban Unlocking-Rural-Urban synergies " , a collaborative project between 11 European countries, which, through living laboratories, works to promote a structured forum where experiences and findings can be shared in real time.

On the other hand, the European Commission has launched a Long-Term Vision for European Rural Areas , with the aim of maximizing their potential. In this context, the H2020 SHERPA project: a sustainable laboratory for inclusive work with stakeholders in rural policy. It aims to support the development of modern policies for rural areas in the period 2023-2027 by creating links between science, society, and politics in the design of concrete proposals for future research agendas, responding to the needs of stakeholders living in rural areas.

The role of the GAL

Four Local Action Groups participated in this LEADER experience exchange, working to strengthen these connections between urban and rural areas.

1. Territorial cohesion laboratory: coordinated by the The Northeast Salamanca Association is a cooperation project from 2007 to 2013 , which lays the foundations for territorial reorganization that will correct existing imbalances through a bottom-up methodology, which includes all stakeholders for polycentric territorial development.
2. Development of peri-urban agriculture in Asturias: a project coordinated by ADICAP aimed at recovering the agricultural tradition and peasant knowledge lost following agricultural restructuring. To this end, the project proposes the development of peri-urban and urban agriculture, taking advantage of new population centers and market opportunities.
3. ART-RURAL Rural Crafts Cooperation Project : coordinated by the ADRECAG Group , aims to promote the region's craftsmanship in an innovative and creative way through new technologies , bringing handcrafted products closer to urban areas through digital platforms.
4. Rural-urban rapprochement, highlighting local agriculture and products : coordinated by MENDINET , it promotes, from the rural sphere, the connection of society with the local economy and culture , fostering its commitment to sustainable territorial development, local products and the rural and coastal environment.

The event also featured a space for participation and debate, where attendees could share their own experiences, ask the speakers any questions they had during the presentations, and reflect on the limitations faced by regions, and specifically by Local Action Groups, in strengthening urban-rural relationships, as well as the opportunities that arise in the medium and long term.