Journal
УКР   ENG
Socio-Economic Problems
of the Modern Period of Ukraine
   



Collection SEPSPU -- sep2025.04.008

Repository of Institute of Regional Research UDC 332.122:338.43(4-6ЄС); JEL R11, R58, Q18, F15
Karpyak, M. O., & Nazarkevych, O. B. (2025). Evolyutsiya rehional'noyi polityky YeS shchodo rehulyuvannya rozvytku sil's'kykh terytoriy [The evolution of the European Union’s regional policy on rural development]. In Sotsial'no-ekonomichni problemy suchasnoho periodu Ukrayiny [Socio-Economic Problems of the Modern Period of Ukraine]: Vol. 174 (4) (pp. 8-17). DOI: https://doi.org/10.36818/2071-4653-2025-4-2 [in Ukrainian].
Sources: 33

Authors



Karpyak (Husyeva) Mariya Oleksandrivna

Ph.D. of Economics

Senior Researcher of the Department of regional economic policy of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine

Contacts: marimusic@meta.ua

Webpages:



Nazarkevych Oksana Bohdanivna

Ph.D. of Economics

Researcher of the Department of regional economic policy of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine; Senior Lecturer of the Department of economics and marketing of the Institute of Spatial Planning and Advanced Technologies of the Lviv Polytechnic National University

Contacts: oksankanaz@gmail.com

Webpages:

Resume

The article examines the evolution of the European Union’s regional policy on rural development in the context of changing institutional frameworks, financial instruments, and strategic priorities. Rural areas play a crucial role in ensuring food security, preserving natural capital, and strengthening social cohesion in the EU, while simultaneously facing challenges of depopulation, economic stagnation, and environmental pressure. The study identifies the main stages of the formation of EU rural development policy, from sector-based agricultural support under the Common Agricultural Policy to an integrated, place-based, and sustainability-oriented approach. Special attention is paid to the institutionalisation of regional policy since the late 1980s, the establishment of Structural and Investment Funds, and the introduction of the LEADER initiative, which promoted bottom-up governance, local partnerships, and integrated rural development strategies. The consolidation of rural development policy as the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy under Agenda 2000 marked a paradigm shift towards multifunctionality, environmental sustainability, and territorial cohesion. Further reforms in the 2014–2020 programming period and the current 2021–2027 framework strengthened the strategic orientation of rural policy, integrating it with EU cohesion policy, the European Green Deal, and the Smart Villages concept. The article argues that contemporary EU rural development policy is increasingly focused on digitalisation, climate action, innovation, human capital development, and economic diversification of rural areas. The effectiveness of this policy is based on multi-level governance, clear programming mechanisms, performance-oriented monitoring and evaluation systems, and active involvement of local communities. The EU experience is particularly relevant for Ukraine as a candidate country for EU membership. Harmonisation of national regional policy with EU standards, adaptation of programming and evaluation instruments, and implementation of place-based approaches can significantly contribute to overcoming demographic decline, increasing the competitiveness of rural economies and ensuring sustainable rural development in the context of European integration and post-war recovery. Strategic priorities for rural development are identified, encompassing support for innovation-led local strategies and community cooperation, the formation of 'rural energy communities', and the advancement of small entrepreneurship and the social economy. The focus transitions from conventional agriculture toward green tourism, creative industries, high-value-added processing, and the implementation of regenerative farming practices.

Keywords:

regional policy, rural areas, European Union, Common Agricultural Policy, cohesion policy, sustainable development

References

    
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