As part of the Whole-COMM project, a strategy paper titled “Migration as a resource for the future of European rural areas” has been published. It aims to recognise the role of migration in the European strategy on rural areas, to address the challenges we face and to seize the opportunities that migrants can offer in terms of resilience and development of rural communities.

Although foreign nationals are a key component of the agricultural workforce and a key element of the green economy, their role is often overlooked in European Union policies. The “EU Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas” aims to improve quality of life and stimulate economic growth by harnessing the green and digital transitions, but it does not fully recognise the potential contribution of migrants. Whole-COMM’s work seeks to fill this gap by highlighting how the inclusion of migration in rural policies can strengthen local communities, make them more resilient and ensure lasting prosperity.

Whole-COMM’s Strategy Paper highlights the importance of integrating migration into rural strategies to address challenges and seize opportunities. The paper, entitled “Migration as a resource for the future of Europe’s rural areas”, stresses the need for a change in the EU’s vision for rural areas in order to make them more inclusive and sustainable. The Strategy Paper’s recommendations aim to strengthen policies for the integration of migrants in rural areas and small municipalities, helping to create more cohesive communities in Europe.