Study on funding for EU rural areas : final report

This study on funding for EU rural areas assesses the role of the CAP 2014-2022 in addressing needs and actions outlined under the EU's Long-term vision for rural areas (LTVRA) in Europe. This role is considered in the context of Member States' strategic frameworks, plans or other policies for rural areas. The study also assesses the specific role of the CAP alongside those of other EU funds targeting rural areas (2014-2020), primarily ERDF/CF, ESF and EMFF, and national funds. The study addresses seven evaluation study questions covering three criteria: effectiveness, relevance, and coherence, with most emphasis upon analysis of relevance and coherence. It finds that while the LTVRA covers very diverse needs, they are well targeted by CAP, often through bottom-up approaches and small-scale delivery that reflect regional and local variation in challenges and opportunities. However, targeting needs beyond farming relies on a relatively small number of measures with rather limited funding allocations. In their funding of rural areas, the CAP's EAFRD and other ESIF demonstrate strong complementarity especially in infrastructure investments (ERDF) and support for social inclusion (ESF) where these funds are used. Nevertheless, there is great variability in how EU funds are used, among the Member States. National policies for rural areas, where ambitious and holistic, can improve the coherence between EU funds in this context; whereas the relevance of CAP funding is evident even where no national rural strategy or strong commitment to rural areas is in place. The study suggests placing further emphasis upon CAP funding beyond farms, also encouraging increased ERDF and ESF investment in meeting rural needs and improving procedures to enable greater synergy and integrated approaches between EU funds, in the future.