The study on funding for EU rural areas examines the contribution of the CAP and other EU funds in fostering rural develop¬ment beyond the farm sector. It explores the specific role of the CAP 2014-2022 alongside that of other EU funds targeting rural areas in the 2014-2020 cohesion policy period, primarily ERDF/CF, ESF and EMFF. ÖIR led the multi-partner consortium analysing rural needs and the scope of EU funding mobilised to meet these needs.
The project team applied a comprehensive mix of methods. This includes document analysis, case studies, a quantitative socio-economic needs analysis at regional level, and a regional and national funding analysis covering the principal EU funding sources for rural areas. The 12 case studies conducted by the project team covering both national and regional levels for the larger Member States, collected information on the Member State approaches to rural development. The selection of case studies included Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Romania and Finland.
