The (re)population of rural areas
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In a word...
by Yves Champetier, Director, LEADER European Observatory
New inhabitants in the countryside: helping people make the move
Many rural areas are witnessing population decline and an ageing of
their population. But city dwellers are also showing renewed
interest in moving to these areas. Across Europe, rural areas are
coming up with all kinds of ways to cope with the arrival of these
newcomers.
(Re)populating Leitrim and North-Roscommon (Ireland): a matter of
quality of life
From housing assistance to the renovation of a cinema, from the
development of recreational areas and the creation of new services
and activities, a wide range of means is being used to encourage
people to resettle in the least populated part of Ireland. LEADER is
playing a key role in this effort.
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The Irish Way to Rural Resettlement
The success of Rural Resettlement Ireland, an association that helps
disadvantaged families in the cities move to the country, has
prompted the Irish government to launch a pilot programme to deepen
the experience and extend it to other segments of the population.
Nine rural areas, all covered by LEADER, are concerned.
Neo-ruralites bring relief
With the accelerated expansion of the service sector, young people
are no longer finding the Portuguese countryside attractive,
preferring instead to be in the city and not some village. They are
interested in service jobs that pay a steady wage rather than
seasonal work on a farm or self-employment in a craft. In contrast
to this trend, a whole category of former “urbanites” - from
Portugal and especially Northern Europe - are finding their “place
in the sun” in the hinterland of certain regions, bringing genuine
relief to rural areas. Here the spotlight is on some of the
(neo-)rural entrepreneurs from the LEADER areas of Entre Lousă e
Zęzere (Centro) and Sudoeste (Algarve/Alentejo).
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