Ana Nieto Masot

Abstract: The European Commission has been striving to achieve sustainable development in its rural areas for more than 25 years through funds aimed at modernizing the agricultural and forestry sectors, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life. However, is sustainable rural development really being accomplished? This study sets out to answer this question in the case of Extremadura, a Spanish territory with low demographic density and a gross domestic product still below 75% of the European average. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies have been employed, using principal component analysis, the result of which has provided us with a model that shows how various behaviors coexist in the region in view of the distribution of current funding from the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). The most dynamic areas have received the largest amounts of funding and these are linked to the agricultural sector and to the protection of the environment, leaving aside the more depressed areas and the implementation of the LEADER approach as well. Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that the current rural development in Extremadura is not sustainable enough.

TL;DR: It is found that most dynamic towns receive more investments, leaving out the more physically, economically, and demographically disadvantaged ones.

TL;DR: From the 90s to the present day, Rural Policies called LEADER Method have been put in place in the European rural areas (Initiatives LEADer and PRODER are also included).

TL;DR: The Junta de Extremadura as discussed by the authors cofinanciada con Fondos FEDER and FONDos Sociales Europeos in el marco de la Beca GR15121

TL;DR: In this paper, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the investments and projects carried out during the period of 2007-2013 in the regions of Extremadura and Alentejo.