Abstract
Since the end of the last century, the Rural Development Policy and the associated Rural Development Aid have been implemented (according to the LEADER Approach) in European rural areas as a model of endogenous, integrated, and innovative development. Its objective is to reduce the differences of development in these areas. The objective of this paper is to analyze statistically (using Principal Component Analysis) the investments and projects carried out during the period of 2007–2013 in the regions of Extremadura and Alentejo. These two border regions have many territorial similarities but also historical, cultural, and political differences. These variations may contribute to a different implementation of the LEADER Approach. As determined by the results from the statistical analysis of economic aids and demographic variables, it is evident that there are differences in the management of the Rural Development Aid in both territories but resemblances in the results.
Highlights
Among the various forms of aid from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) of the European Union (EU), several are aimed towards achieving economic development and maintaining the population of crisis villages mainly located in rural areas
The main objective of this paper is to look for correlations between the location of projects and investments of the LEADER Approach and demographic variables of Extremadura and Alentejo
Taking into account that each European region benefiting from rural development aid (2007–2013) has chosen the action measures with which to act on its territory of action, this paper presents a homogenization of them, which can be extrapolated to other European regions
Summary
Among the various forms of aid from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) of the European Union (EU), several are aimed towards achieving economic development and maintaining the population of crisis villages mainly located in rural areas. This paper analyzes its implementation in two rural and border regions of southwest Europe (i.e., Extremadura of Spain and Alentejo of Portugal) during the last programming period (2007–2013) These are two areas with the lowest economic development in the EU having a GDP that is 75% below the European average [1,2]. They have mainly agricultural incomes, which generate a low productivity, and have industrial and service sectors, which are weak in terms of economic profitability and very dependent on public administration. They are experiencing significant population losses in recent decades due to a low birth rate and a high migration rate of young individuals who move to urban areas for greater employment opportunities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
