References

Original Reference:  Regional Agriculture:A Gozitan PerspectiveJune 2023

Brief Summary: Discusses Gozo's agriculture sector, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation. Implications: Reinforces the importance of tailored approaches for distinct rural needs within Malta, like Gozo's regional focus. Recommendations: Encourage pilot RAPs to consider regional variations in agricultural policy and resource use, enhancing adaptability of PoliRuralPlus methodologies.

URL: https://grda.mt/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Regional-Agriculture-Policy-Discussion-Paper-05.06.23.pdf

Original Reference: Jacoby, W. and Meunier, S. (2010), ‘Europe and globalization’, in Egan, M., Nugent, N. and Paterson, W. E. (eds.), Research agendas in EU studies: Palgrave studies in European Union politics, Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Brief Summary: This book provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms that foster sustainable urban-rural linkages. Implications: Understanding the complexities of urban-rural interactions is crucial for designing integrated policies. Recommendations: RAPs should apply the frameworks discussed in this book to develop holistic policies that address economic, social, and environmental aspects of rural-urban linkages, ensuring balanced and sustainable regional development.

URL: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230279445

Original Reference: Westlund, H. (2017), ‘Urban-rural relations in the post-urban world’, in Haas, T. and Westlund, H. (eds.), In the post-urban world, Routledge, London, pp. 70–81.

Brief Summary: Focuses on shifting dynamics in urban-rural relations in the context of globalization and migration. Recommendations: RAPs should include strategies that address rural depopulation and migration patterns, promoting policies that enhance rural attractiveness and connectivity to urban economies.

URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315672168-6/urban-rural-relations-post-urban-world-hans-westlund

Original Reference: Università degli Studi di Milano (2021), Voucher autonomia: attuazione ed esiti dell’intervento di Regione Lombardia – Rapporto finale.

Brief Summary: This report evaluates the implementation of autonomy vouchers in the Lombardy region, focusing on balancing urban and rural development needs. Suggests PoliRuralPlus pilot regions could explore similar tools to support rural economies while addressing urbanization challenges.

URL: https://www.consiglio.regione.lombardia.it/wps/wcm/connect/84742abf-e437-4811-8899-e21c60530d59/MV_n22_VoucherAutonomia_RapportoFinale_16giu2021.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-84742abf-e437-4811-8899-e21c60530d59-nGayrsA

Original Reference: Or, Z. and Gandré, C. (2021), Sustainability and resilience in the French health system, Institut de recherche et de documentation en économie de la santé, Paris.

Brief Summary: Analyzes health system resilience in France, with lessons for rural areas. Implications: Access to healthcare is vital for rural attractiveness. Recommendations: Ensure healthcare infrastructure is a priority in RAPs, particularly in underserved rural areas .

URL: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_PHSSR_France_Report.pdf

Original Reference: Eurofound (2018a), Social cohesion and well-being in Europe, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: This report focuses on working conditions in the agricultural sector, highlighting challenges related to job security, health, and safety. RAPs should prioritize improving labor conditions in rural agriculture by enforcing better health and safety standards. PoliRuralPlus pilots can adopt these strategies to protect rural workers and improve productivity.

URL: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/system/files/2014-11/ef1472en.pdf

Original Reference: Eurofound (2014), Quality of life in urban and rural Europe, EQLS policy brief, Dublin.

Brief Summary: This report focuses on workplace innovation strategies in European businesses. RAPs should encourage innovation in rural workplaces to boost productivity and attract talent. PoliRuralPlus pilots can integrate workplace innovation strategies to improve rural competitiveness and enhance the economic potential of rural-urban regions.

URL: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/system/files/2014-11/ef1451en.pdf

Original Reference: World Bank (2012), Golden growth: Restoring the lustre of the European economic model, Washington DC.

Brief Summary: Highlights employment challenges in rural areas, with a focus on youth and gender. Recommendations: RAPs should create targeted employment initiatives in rural areas, improving economic opportunities and preventing outmigration through investments in education and infrastructure.

URL: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/723961468032339818/overview

Original Reference: World Bank (2023), World development indicators, web page, accessed 10 July 2023.

Brief Summary: Provides global data on economic development, population growth, education, and health. Recommendations: RAPs should utilize these indicators to monitor socio-economic trends in both rural and urban areas, helping to inform data-driven policies that improve regional connectivity.

URL: https://datatopics.worldbank.org/world-development-indicators/

Original Reference: World Health Organization (WHO) (undated), The Global Health Observatory, web page, accessed 18 July 2023.

Brief Summary: Reviews global health indicators and trends. Recommendations: RAPs should ensure health equity by addressing healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas, integrating health service improvements into regional development plans, especially in the wake of post-pandemic recovery.

URL: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/gho-documents/world-health-statistic-reports/2023/world-health-statistics-2023_20230519_.pdf

Original Reference: UN (United Nations) (2019), World urbanization prospects: The 2018 revision, United Nations, New York.

Brief Summary: This report provides global trends in urbanization, predicting rapid urban growth in developing countries. Implication: PoliRuralPlus should use these insights to anticipate future shifts in rural demographics, focusing on strategies to maintain rural vitality amidst urban expansion.

URL: https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf

Original Reference: World Bank Group on urban food governance, in Teft, J., et al. 2017. Food systems in an urbanizing world. World Bank Knowledge Product. Washington.

Brief Summary: Discusses the transformation of food systems in the context of urbanization. Recommendations: RAPs should prioritize the development of integrated food systems that support both urban and rural populations, promoting sustainability and reducing the impact of food supply chain disruptions.

URL: http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/454961511210702794/pdf/Food-systems-for-an-urbanizing-world-knowledge-product.pdf

Original Reference: UN-Habitat’s Urban Policy platform

Brief Summary: A guide for local governments to integrate the SDGs into their planning. Recommendations include aligning regional action plans with SDGs to promote resilient, inclusive, and sustainable rural-urban development. Supports the strategic aims of PoliRuralPlus in sustainability.

URL: https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/GlobalGuidingElementsforVLRs_FINAL.pdf

Original Reference: UN-Habitat. 2019. Urban-rural linkages: Guiding principles and framework for action. 2019. Page 1.

Brief Summary: This resolution stresses enhancing rural-urban linkages to promote sustainable settlements. Key recommendations include fostering partnerships, integrated governance, and capacity-building, aligning with PoliRuralPlus goals of inclusive, balanced regional development.

URL: https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-07/k1902630_-hsp-ha-1-res-5-_advance_for_secretariat.pdf

Original Reference: UNCCD/Science-Policy Interface. 2019. Shaping an enabling environment for land degradation neutrality. Science-Policy Brief 5. Sep 2019. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Bonn.

Brief Summary: This brief discusses how ecosystem-based solutions can enhance land productivity, reduce degradation, and promote sustainable development. Implication: PoliRuralPlus should integrate ecosystem-based solutions into rural development strategies, ensuring sustainable land use and climate resilience.

URL: https://catalogue.unccd.int/1213_UNCCD_SPI_2019_PB_1-2_WEB.pdf

Original Reference: United Cities and Local Governments, including “Towards the localization of the SDGs: How to accelerate transformative actions in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak”

Brief Summary: Focuses on how local governments can localize the SDGs, particularly for improving rural-urban governance. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include capacity-building for local authorities and aligning action plans with global development goals to promote balanced growth.

URL: https://www.uclg.org/sites/default/files/report_localization_hlpf_2020.pdf

Original Reference: nan

Brief Summary: Discusses the Territorial Agenda 2030, which provides a framework for regional cooperation across Europe. Recommendations: PoliRuralPlus should integrate this agenda by focusing on territorial cooperation and ensuring balanced regional development in pilot projects.

URL: https://territorialagenda.eu

Original Reference: UN-Habitat in the Urban Policy platform

Brief Summary: Provides a repository of policy frameworks supporting sustainable urban development with a focus on data-driven planning and governance. Relevant for PoliRuralPlus in its efforts to integrate urban-rural policies and digital tools in regional action plans.

URL: http://urbanpolicyplatform.org

Original Reference: UNDESA global guiding elements for voluntary local reviews of SDG implementation

Brief Summary: Focuses on the role of food systems connecting rural and urban areas for nutrition and sustainability. It highlights the need for inclusive policies that enhance food security, promote local food production, and strengthen economic ties between rural and urban communities.

URL: https://www.unscn.org/uploads/web/news/document/Urban-rural-linkages-for-nutrition-EN-WEB-OK-Feb.pdf

Original Reference: UN-Habitat, HSP/HA.1/Res.5 Enhancing urban-rural linkages for sustainable urbanization and human settlements.

Brief Summary: This section specifically addresses the need for bridging the urban-rural divide through integrated planning, promoting inclusive infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and improving digital connectivity. Recommends enhancing participatory approaches in PoliRuralPlus projects.

URL: http://urbanpolicyplatform.org/urban-rural-linkages/