The Lack of Attention Given by Neoendogenous Rural Development Practice to Areas Highly Affected by Depopulation. The Case of Andalusia (Spain) in 2015–2020 Period

Abstract

How are the problems of depopulation being faced by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) and the LEADER approach? What kinds of proposals are being pointed out to tackle young people’s exodus, the economic depression, the physical and virtual distances, and the marginality from the political and economic centers by these local public-private partnerships to the areas having the more worrying situations? Andalusia, a southern region of Spain, has many municipalities with these severe devepopulation problems. According to this aim, the Local Development Strategies documents (LDSs) of the LAGs for 2015–2020, have been reviewed. The predominance of the top-down approach has limited the attention given to face the rural depopulation. It is relevant to note, as well, the reduced presence of specific objectives and projects to combat depopulation in these deep rural areas. The last finding is that these municipalities with extreme depopulation have been left aside; as no solution placed. Definitely, as empty areas to promote rural development. Depopulation concept and depopulation areas have been forgotten for neoendogenous rural development practices.

Counterbalancing the Development Territorial Disparities in the Implementation of the Community-Led Local Development EU Approach in Romania

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“…Reversing the depopulation of rural territories is a critical issue on political agendas, and it is a policy priority for the EU (ESPON, 2017). However, the economic, logistical and social incentives mobilized to stimulate the repopulation of these territories have not been successful so far (Navarro-Valverde et al, 2021), and, moreover, they may even exacerbate socio-economic and environmental problems (Hermoso et al, 2022). Significantly, these initiatives have been mainly aimed at promoting economic and social development, while neglecting the ecological dimension (Bruno et al, 2021;MacDonald et al, 2000;Martínez-Abrain et al, 2020;Regos et al, 2016), despite the current dramatic context of climatic crisis and biodiversity loss (IPBES, 2019;IPCC, 2021).…”

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