Report Launch - Rural Restructuring: Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge

A major research report, Rural Restructuring: Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge, which considers the impact and future of rural restructuring policy and practice throughout the island of Ireland on people and place, was launched in Draperstown, Magherafelt District on 19th June 2009.

The report was launched by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA in association with Andy Pollak, Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies.

Undertaken by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) with funding by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the report centres on the experiences of three rural communities across the island:

• Emyvale-Truagh-Aughnacloy (North Monaghan / South Tyrone border)
• Draperstown (Magherafelt District)
• Duhallow (Northwest Cork / East Kerry).

The report details the need for a focused approach to rural development that harnesses local assets and potentiality through joined up collaboration. It advocates for a ‘micro-region’ concept in rural development that moves from a strictly area-based approach within a single jurisdiction to an inter-locality model that (a) can operate across county or district administrative areas and the Border region and (b) recognises that micro-regions are part of, and contribute to, their wider region.

Speaking at the report’s launch, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA said:

“This report covers a period of great change across Ireland, both in the political institutions across the island but also the growing awareness of environmental pressures as well as economic drivers. It provides a wonderful insight into the resourcefulness and resilience of the rural community to adapt to change and meet challenges head on… Close co-operation across the spectrum by Government, local authorities and community groups north and south is essential to ensure everyone is included in this vision. Our vision for rural communities must be both strategic to allow for sustainable development using well co-ordinated policies and flexible to adapt to changing local situations. One size does not fit all”.

To receive a copy of this report, contact Eimear Donnelly, Events Coordinator at eimear.donnelly@qub.ac.uk or by telephoning (028) 375 11550 (048 from Republic). Alternatively, the pdf of this document – together with the supporting background working papers – will be available for download at end July 2009.

Featured Research: Rural Restructuring

The publication of the research report, Rural Restructuring: Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge, is the culmination of a twelve-month research programme into sustainable rural development across the island of Ireland; with a particular focus on economic diversification, spatial planning and rural communities.

The overall theme of this study was to consider the impact of economic re-structuring on rural areas together with the opportunities for diversification including micro-enterprise development, business clustering, joint marketing and branding. In the context of a changing policy environment and challenging economic times, the report considers the opportunities that can be made available by adopting a local asset-based approach to rural restructuring and diversification.

Working closely with a committee including representatives from the three case study areas of Draperstown, Emyvale-Truagh-Aughnacloy and Duhallow, the study team interviewed over 80 people and conducted a number of focus groups. In addition, the ICLRD hosted a very successful and engaging conference – attended by over 110 people – on rural development strategies, Rural Restructuring: Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge, on Friday, 8 May at the Blackwater Learning Centre in Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. Those participating in the study noted that rural areas are well-positioned to adapt to changing demands even during an international recession given their traditional reliance on small-scale businesses.

This report, which was guided by a high-level independent Advisory Committee involving representatives from central and regional government on both sides of the Border, captures many of the features, successes and challenges associated with rural restructuring and territorial cooperation. It provides insights and recommendations on future local governance arrangements, the need for local responses to economic decline, and the opportunities for incorporating innovations and good practice into future partnerships. The report also emphasises the role of collaborative spatial planning in addressing the needs of both rural and urban communities which are increasingly inter-connected in a globalised economy. Specifically, the report recommends the establishment of a sub-regional civil society forum, the extension of business networks – using the Business Innovation Centre (BIC) model – across the island of Ireland, and the need for a strategic vision set within a top-down framework and delivered through partnership at local level.

Fermanagh businessman and former GAA President, Mr. Peter Quinn, in the foreword to the report, notes:

“Rural Ireland is blessed with strong communities, which function as supports for their members and which provide powerful bases for economic development. Across the island of Ireland, we continue to have opportunities. Recession or no recession, there are still people with ideas for both on-farm and off-farm diversification – people with ideas in relation to both incubation and innovation”.