Projects

The Flemish countryside is changing. Climate change, the pressure on agriculture and open space, economic shifts and demographic changes make it clear that the countryside of tomorrow will look different from that of today. The question is not whether this transition will take place, but how we will shape it.

The challenge

A sustainable and resilient countryside is only possible by connecting sectors and policy areas. That is why we are working, on behalf of the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM), on an integrated approach that not only gives direction to policy, but also connects and strengthens the actors in the field.

Approach & results

Idea Consult has been commissioned by the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM) to develop a renewed rural policy that connects various sectors and policy areas. We are doing this on three tracks.

One of these tracks is the development of a Flemish rural pact, for which the process was launched last week. By developing a rural pact, we are helping to build a future in which community, government, housing, the economy, agriculture, leisure, mobility and nature together form a strong and liveable countryside. Visit the rural pact website to learn more about the process.

LEADER also remains a crucial lever within rural policy. By developing a solid Flemish evaluation framework for LEADER, we are making the added value of local innovation and cooperation in rural areas tangible and better supported.

Finally, we investigated how local food initiatives accelerate the sustainable food transition and how policymakers and project promoters can increase their impact. A hands-on brochure with insights and recommendations will soon be available on the VLM website.

Transversal policy is central to all these processes: the challenges in rural areas are not limited to sectoral policy areas and not only to the most rural areas in Flanders, and the same applies to the solutions. Together with governments, experts and local actors, we are not only building policy frameworks, but also a community of committed players who are working together to build the countryside of tomorrow.