European funds for rural development: a sustainable vision for Romania

The future of rural areas requires a change of perception and a new vision, whereby these areas are seen as spaces with potential for various economic activities beyond agriculture. This new approach should also be reflected in the way the European Union funds rural areas through local and regional administrations. EU funds are particularly effective in tackling specific problems such as pollution, unsustainable agriculture, lack of essential services (such as health and education), poverty and unemployment. However, in the face of other challenges prioritized by the European Union as priorities for rural areas (e.g. ageing population, demographic decline, migration, the rise of populist movements or lack of public transport), European funding is perceived as relatively ineffective in providing solutions. Rural areas also face specific constraints in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ecological footprint, as dispersed dwellings are often not retrofitted to make efficient use of natural resources and reduce pollution. The main objectives of the study include: identifying the research topic and funding policies in rural areas, defining the area of analysis and the capacity to identify EU policies in these areas, carrying out assessments and establishing frameworks for the analysis of EU rural policies.