Second Stakeholder Meeting in Neckar-Alb on 22nd November!
Our regional partner, the Regionalverband Neckar-Alb (RVNA), hosted their second Down to Earth Stakeholder Meeting in Münsingen-Auingen on the 22nd November. This second Regional Stakeholder Meeting organised in the Neckar-Alb region focused on the first regional report on the topic of year 1: Demographic challenges to improve resilience against environmental risks in rural areas.
The meeting was opened by a brief reminder of the overarching goals of the Down to Earth project: mitigating environmental risks, addressing labor shortages, and enhancing the resilience of rural areas in Europe.
RVNA presented the key challenges facing the region:
- labor shortages
- unattractiveness for youth
- environmental risks such as drought and flooding.
The lack of public transport, changes in income due to renewable energies, and evolving demographics were also highlighted. The stakeholders emphasized that, to understand the dynamics of rural life, analyzing social infrastructure within the region is crucial.
Presentation of the updated Regional Report
RVNA delved further in the regional report they prepared relating to the Topic of Year 1. The analysis was further refined to incorporate stakeholder input from the first meeting, providing a comprehensive overview of the region's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
The outcomes of the analysis showcase:
- environmental risks,
- predicted climate changes,
- demographic shifts
However, contrary to initial predictions, the population in the region has not declined significantly.
Feeback from Study Visit in Campobasso
RVNA reported reported on the First Down to Earth Study Visit to Campobasso, Italy, shedding light on the challenges faced by the Molise region. Stakeholders discussed potential opportunities for regional development, with a focus on renewable energy and agricultural policy.
Potential for Regional Development and Planning
Participants then deliberated on potentials for regional development, discussing ideas for the upcoming study visit to Germany in June 2024 to showcase relevant projects: a biogas plant, orchard marketing, and sheep wool production, were proposed. The stakeholders agreed on the format and language of presentations, with German as the primary language supplemented by English slides.
As Down to Earth continues its mission to foster sustainable rural development, these stakeholder meetings serve as crucial forums for collaboration and exchange of ideas and ensure actual impact on rural communities.