The Nordic Thematic Group for Green and Inclusive Rural Development has been analysing essential service needs for different types of societal groups and rural areas. The aim is to better understand and define both demand and solutions to challenges of rural service provision.
Access to libraries and pharmacies emerges among the biggest differences between Nordic rural and urban regions. Common challenges identified for rural regions include the limited availability of public sector funds to cover all the service needs and this inhibits capacity to attract skilled workers. Digital solutions are seen as a potential way forward in rural service provision, as well as in employment and education. Appreciation of the importance of monitoring is considered key to sustaining the right level and model of place-based service delivery for rural services.
