A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas

authored by

Nathalie Tent, Alexandru Brad, Juliane Klöden, Alistair Adam Hernández, Jörn Bannert, Alice Gebauer

Abstract

In many of Europe’s rural regions, sociodemographic changes, the transformation of the labour market, and the advent of digitalisation pose significant challenges in safeguarding services of general interest (SGI). This paper draws on a broad literature review to identify the key challenges and potential adaptation strategies in three SGIs in four European countries. Our analysis explores potentials for rede-signing the accessibility of these SGIs, restructuring their human and physical assets, and improving the coordination of their delivery. We argue that in the context of a fading welfare state, there is scope for improving the local coordination of state, private, and civil society actors in delivering SGIs in rural areas.

Organisation(s)

Geodetic Institute

External Organisation(s)

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
Technische Universität Dresden
ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association

Type

Review article

Journal

Europa XXI

Volume

41

Pages

77-105

ISSN

1429-7132

Publication date

2021

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geography, Planning and Development, Development, Urban Studies, Political Science and International Relations

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4 (Access: Open)

 

Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"