Rural proofing: chances and conditions for the development of a new governance tool

Abstract

It has become clear that neither the EU nor Member States are addressing regional disparities in a way that meets expectations, particularly in rural areas. Rural areas are particularly affected by issues such as demographic trends, the negative effects of climate change and the question of resilience, the dangers of the spread of artificial intelligence and robotization, and the lack or weakness of the innovation ecosystem, which is a fundamental prerequisite for economic growth. It is also clear that an effective response to these future challenges can only be achieved through a complex approach, for which rural proofing offers a possible solution from a governance perspective. Rural proofing is a little-researched tool that aims to promote the consideration of rural characteristics in the system of central government decisions. The scientific roots of the process and their deeper connections, as well as the conditions for its successful practical application, are not entirely clear.

The study examines the characteristics that can help to clarify not only its scientific classification but also, as a consequence, the directions of its practical application. It also lists the conditions without which the success of this unique and novel governance tool seems unimaginable. Among the findings is that the application of principles (e.g. partnership, multilevel governance) that are specific to development policy rather than classical public administration seems essential for success. The study points out that rural proofing can be successful not only in rural areas, because its essence is to take into account territorial – and not just rural – characteristics and to develop differentiated interventions tailored to local needs. The study also emphasizes that the goal of rural proofing can never be achieved if this mechanism is limited to impact assessment and does not extend to coordinated cooperation between different ministries, the theoretical framework for which is provided by the administrative cycle. Of course,the findings are not intended to close the debate, but rather to shed new light on the operating conditions of rural proofing, which will contribute to further scientific debate and to the development of a much more effective central and regional intervention mechanism.