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Rural connections: green and digital innovation to unlock the potential of rural and remote areas

2021-10-12 07:27 by Marine Gaudron, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

Workshop at #EURegionsWeek organised by CEMR & CMO

Thursday 14 October | 11:30 – 13:00

Join us by registering here.

In June 2021, the European Commission published a communication on “The Long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas towards 2040”, which aims at: building stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas. But what are the concrete solutions to make rural areas truly connected territories?

On the occasion of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) together with the Broadband Competence Office (BCO) network organise the workshop “Rural connections: green and digital innovation to unlock the potential of rural and remote areas” on 14 October.”This session will focus on the use of innovative digital solutions and sustainable mobility as instruments to impulse the attractiveness and sustainability of rural areas. Indeed, rural territories have a vast potential to advance the green and digital transitions. But to unlock this potential, they need proper support and resources, such as forward-looking policy decisions, adequate funding and appropriate governance mechanisms. In this regard, the Long-term vision and the Territorial Agenda 2030 can represent the needed European frameworks to ensure that rural and remote areas are properly supported.

Furthermore, the place-based approach promoted by the Territorial Agenda 2030 will be essential to properly address the challenges of rural areas, which were exacerbated with the Covid-19 pandemic: vulnerability of more ageing population in rural areas, possibility to work or study remotely wherever you live, etc.

But this crisis has also revealed the potential and resilience of rural and remote areas with a progressive shift towards more local and sustainable tourism, increase cooperation between cities and their rural surroundings for local and short-cycle food. Uplifting and connecting European territories including rural areas will contribute to the objective of a Just Europe that offers future perspectives for all places and people.

The workshop will be structured as a dialogue between rural areas stakeholders that will introduce, major challenges and possible innovative solutions. From issues such as access to health and quality education or mobility within rural areas, to opportunities such as linking urban centres, digitalisation of public administration, and digital tools for farmers, innovative solutions will be presented by the speakers.

Join us to explore the solutions to build more connected and resilient rural areas by registering here !


Time: Thursday 14 October | 11:30 – 13:00
Languages: EN, DE, ES
Organisers: CEMR and Broadband Competence Office (BCO) network
Speakers:
Clara Aguilera, MEP, Co-Chair of the RUMRA, Smart Villages intergroup (S&D, ES)
Eddy Hartog, European Commission, DG CONNECT, Head of Unit
George Beers, Project coordinator, Wageningen University and Research (Netherlands)
Carola Gunnarsson, Lord Mayor of Sala (SALAR)
Simona Ferrante, Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano
Goran Skvarc, Deputy project manager, CARNET, national research and education network of Croatia
Andreas Wolter, Vice-mayor of Koln, CEMR spokesperson on territorial mobility

 

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