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

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Nathalie Tent - , University of Oldenburg (Author)
  • Alexandru Brad - , Johann Heinrich von Thunen Institute (Author)
  • Juliane Klöden - , Chair of Land Management (Author)
  • Alistair Adam Hernández - , ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (Author)
  • Jörn Bannert - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)
  • Alice Gebauer - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)

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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalEUROPA XXI
Volume41
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-5613-5540/work/170585660

Keywords

Keywords

  • Firefighters, Medical care, Post-school education, Rural areas, Services of general interest, Sociodemographic changes