Policy Mixes as a Strategy to Provide More Effective Social and Environmental Benefits: Evidence from Six Rural Areas in Europe

Abstract

At the EU level, agricultural and rural development policies are increasingly oriented and targeted to the provision of public goods associated with farming. While most analysis focuses on the efficiency and effectiveness of specific types of interventions, this paper aims at exploring the role of policy mixes in stimulating the provision of environmental and social benefits (ESBs) associated with agriculture. The role of policy mixes in determining the provision of ESBs to farming is a complex matter, since different types of policies may have synergistic, overlapping and/or contrasting effects. On the basis of a comparative analysis of six case studies in different European countries, the analysis shows interesting solutions already being experimented with in the field by local actors working together through some form of cooperative action, highlighting how public intervention is often a combination of different policy instruments that may vary according to the type of socio-economic and institutional settings as well as according to the type of ESB targeted. The effectiveness of policy mixes depends not only on the design and implementation phases, but also on new governance arrangements stimulating alternative mechanisms of public goods provision, including market mechanisms and collective action.

Cohesión, conocimiento y solidaridad respecto a las periferias socio-territoriales en Iberia (España y Portugal) y los países nórdicos. Diferencias institucionales y políticas públicas en la era de la crisis eco-social

“…A nivel local y regional, esta colaboración depende de factores como la confianza institucional, el capital social que fundamenta la sociedad civil, y la tradición de cultura democrática y de deliberación (Ahedo y Belzunegui-Eraso, 2021). Segundo, la combinación complementaria de políticas (policy-mix) entre acciones de orientación enfocada-específica y orientación amplia-contextual (Mantino y Vanni, 2019). Tercero, el aprendizaje mutuo: desde el aprendizaje en la UE (Método abierto de coordinación o Semestre Europeo) hasta las plataformas y redes nacionales y regionales de generación y difusión de información y análisis de políticas públicas (Adams, Cotella y Nunes, 2012).…”

Impact of european funds upon rural development in the European Union

“…One very important change that appeared in time in CAP was represented by the emergence of rural development as a pillar, which eroded the orientation of the common policy as support for agriculture as an economic sector, towards the advantage of territorial approaches and more complex regulations, including a social role (Mantino & Vanni, 2019). The European Commission overly optimistically presented the latest change as a successful path to territorial policy approaches (Cairol et al, 2009;Dax et al, 2011;Guth et al, 2020) before the effects proved policy effective.…”

Rural areas between locality and global networks. Local development mechanisms and the role of policies empowering rural actors

“…Vice versa, good grassroots initiatives and local networks can inspire and facilitate a good use of existing policies. It is worth noticing that good local governance is a fundamental ingredient ensuring successful supporting policies, autonomous grassroots initiatives and dense local networks (Mantino and Vanni, 2019).…”