The Rural Movements of Europe

by Vanessa Halhead
Published by PREPARE - Partnership for Rural Europe - June 2005

The publication of this report was made possible by a grant from the Fondation de France, through Forum Synergies (European Network for Sustainable Development), a partner in the PREPARE Network.

The research upon which the report is based was undertaken by Vanessa Halhead, through the auspices of a Fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

PREPARE expresses cordial thanks to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Fondation de France and (above all) to Vanessa Halhead for making possible the production of this report. It is most timely to produce it now, as the Europe-wide network of rural movements begins to take shape and gains a collective voice in the debate and the action to create a finer life in the rural areas of Europe.

Researched and Written by Vanessa Halhead
Edited by Prof. Michael Dower
Design by Yannick Barret
Photographs by Vanessa Halhead
Printed by ODIM, 04 (France)

Published, on behalf of PREPARE, by:
Forum Synergies, Rue de Hennin 83, 1050 Brussels, Belgium info@forum-synergies.org

Preface

Have a dream

Imagine that the countryside of the growing European Union is one of the most attractive places to live in. A growing number of young people leave the cities for the rural areas, because they like the balanced way of life - less stressful and deeper, closer to nature and its possibilities and limits that nature offers.

The rural economy is thriving. Sustainable farming practices and new technologies now offer what people really need - and what nature can give. The European villages have become a lively turning point for good ideas, how to produce and consume less - and still gain quality of life. Rural people have improved their contacts and communication, especially with towns and cities. The rural world of Europe is no longer just the ‘hinterland’ of the cities: it has become a self-confident society of farmers, villagers and communities.

more...

Hannes Lorenzen, PREPARE network, Adviser in the European Parliament

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Acknowledgements
  3. Chapter 1. The rural movements of Europe - an overview
    1. The overall pattern of the rural movements
      1. Nature and location
      2. History
      3. Purpose
      4. Character and activities
      5. Structure
      6. Achievements and difficulties
    2. The individual movements described
      1. Nordic countries
      2. Western Europe
      3. Central and Eastern Europe
    3. Main findings from a detailed study of four rural movements
      1. The national context
      2. The rural movements
      3. The issues raised
      4. Prospects for the future
      5. Post script
  4. Chapter 2. The rural movement in Denmark
    1. National context
    2. The situation in rural areas
    3. The rural movement of Denmark
    4. The Danish Village Association, LAL
    5. The Council of Rural Districts. LDF
    6. Commentary
  5. Chapter 3. The Estonian Village Movement, KODUKANT
    1. National context
    2. The situation in rural areas
    3. The Estonian Village Movement, KODUKANT
    4. Commentary
  6. Chapter 4. The Village Action Association of Finland, SYTY
    1. National context
    2. The situation in rural areas
    3. The Village Action Association of Finland, SYTY
    4. Commentary
  7. Chapter 5. The Rural Parliament of Slovakia, VIPA
    1. National context
    2. The situation in rural areas
    3. The Rural Parliament of Slovakia, VIPA
    4. Commentary
  8. Appendices
    1. Itinerary of the study visits to national rural movements
    2. The PREPARE Network