Challenges and Opportunities in

Developing Rural RegionsDr Patricia O’Hara

►State agency►Seven-county Western Region►DCRAGA►Strategic remit►WR mainly rural – 77% outside Gateways & Hubs

Western Development Commission

Presentation Outline

► Key trends in rural regions► Challenges and opportunities► WDC experience in rural development action► Lessons from practice► Research needs► Policy approaches

Challenges: Changing Economic Structures

► Regional variation in output and incomes ► Dependence on primary sectors,

construction and local service jobs ► Spatial concentration in agriculture► Industrial structure – how to move from old

to new; innovation and ‘knowledge’ ► Skills pool► Infrastructure limitations

Challenges: Social Changes

► Rural areas ’multi-functional’ and very diverse

► Population growth and changing social mix ► Value of rural lifestyle► Uneven spread and quality of services► Changing role of rural towns► New forms of social exclusion and social

isolation

Challenges for Policy

► Impact of ‘global forces’ - deregulation, competitiveness,

► Cities increasingly seen as ‘engines of growth’ – ‘critical mass’ , clusters, ‘counterbalances’

► Need to ‘prove’ value and measure impact - lack of robust ‘evidence’ and indicators

► Planning and sustainability issues► Cross government coherence► Top-down coordination

Opportunities

► In over 1/3 of OECD countries, a rural region has the highest employment creation

► Assets of heritage, amenities, renewable energy► Diversification of farming – new products and

processes, organics, food niches, local markets etc► Businesses large and small are thriving but must

have infrastructure► Innovation and the Creative sector► Appropriate policy systems and innovative service

delivery using ICT

Net cumulative job creation in agency assisted firms 2002-2006 –Western Region and State

-454

-727

1,320

1,808

-1,000

-500

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Western Region State

Nu

mb

er o

f Jo

bs

Change 2002-2006 Foreign Ow ned Change 2002-2006 Irish Ow ned

WDC and Rural Tourism

► Blueprint for Tourism Development in the West: An Action Plan for Rural Areas

► Western Development Tourism Programme established. Outputs include:► Green Box – Econ Tourism (cross border)► Walking in the West► Tourism Taste Trail – blueprint► Training – cross border► Super-region concept

Organic Agri-Food

► Blueprint for Organic Agri-Food Production in the West

Outputs:• Atlantic Organics:

New products developed under Rossinver Organics brand

• Western Organic Network: Network of 160 producers;

Renewable Energy

► To Catch the Wind: Potential for Community Ownership of Wind Farms in Ireland• WDC facilitating a pilot project between community and

private developer using a community investment vehicle

► Wood Energy Strategy & Action Plan

• Opportunity to exploit for job and wealth creation,• Reduction on reliance on imported fuels• Environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source

WDC Investment FundWDC Investment Fund

► €27m invested in 75 projects► 58% outside hubs and gateways

► Fund revolving ► Strong interest ► Successful hi-tech firms e.g. Eire Composites,

Cora Systems,► Community Investment e.g. Movalley

Resources

The Look West Campaign

► Promote Western Region as a place to live, work and do business

► Direct people to www.lookwest.ie

► Provide useful information for individuals and enterprises thinking of moving

► 2,600 individuals & businesses have registered their interest

► over half in the 26-35 age group and 80% with third level qualifications

Lessons from Practice

► Need for clear action model and roadmap for RD actors that involves Shared vision between partners Solid information-based action plan Ways of trying-out ideas and actions Mainstreaming and renewal strategies Expert support and advice (Teagasc?)

Knowledge GapsKnowledge Gaps

► Dynamics of rural economy – especially service sector

► Changing role of towns in rural regions► Understanding rural life-style preferences► Recreation, and tourism potential of rural

amenity assets ► Appropriate service delivery mechanisms for

rural areas► Social impact of economic changes etc, etc,

Policy ApproachesPolicy Approaches

► International experience suggests that a multi-sectoral focus on place and investments works best

► All levels of government and stakeholders must be involved with common purpose

► Need structures that facilitate knowledge-sharing and efficiency

► Political commitment► Robust analyses of successes and failures ► Address research and intelligence gap for policy –

especially indicators capable of measuring outputs