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 redesigning 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.
Highlights
Many rural areas in Europe have been struggling to maintain their services of general interest – SGIs (Fassmann, Rauhut, da Costa & Humer, 2015; Rauhut & Komornicki, 2015; ARL, 2016)
We commenced by making a theoretical argument which depicts the notion of SGI as a fuzzy normative policy construct with multiple facets and sub-domains
We make the theoretical case for doing so by delineating the key factors which have led to shifts in SGI provision in rural areas
Summary
Many rural areas in Europe have been struggling to maintain their services of general interest – SGIs (Fassmann, Rauhut, da Costa & Humer, 2015; Rauhut & Komornicki, 2015; ARL, 2016). Recent policy shifts have been effective in shaping workable networks of SGIs in urban areas. Over the past decades, neoliberal and market-based policy arguments have pushed for a withdrawal of the state in all areas of the public sector. Multiple non-state actors have entered the SGI arena as potential providers. In these constellations, the role of state organisations has been gradually shifting from one of an active provider to that of a bureaucrat which acts more as an invigilator. Private and not-for-profit SGI providers must balance between financial thriftiness and fulfilling state-sanctioned standards, all while being part of a competitive landscape with other providers
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