All Europeans depend on rural areas
The European Union recognizes the shortage of quality jobs in mid-sized cities and rural districts, including Zamora, and aims to address it. Elisa Ferreira, the Commissioner for Integration and Reforms, noted that big cities attract the highest wages and that this trend harms smaller communities with declining populations. She called for corrective measures in areas where growth and job opportunities could also flourish.
Ferreira spoke during a visit to Spain for the conference “Shaping the Future of Rural Areas” held in Sigüenza, Guadalajara. She underscored the importance of accelerating rural settlement and ensuring that no one is left behind in places where the population is shrinking. Her remarks were reported by the Europa Press agency.
Ferreira stressed that all Europeans depend on rural areas, highlighting the value of biodiversity, food production, renewable energy, and cultural heritage found in these regions. With that in mind, the Commission proposed steps to help town economies grow more quickly with the support of regional funds.
She reminded audiences that the European Union’s cohesion policy involves more than money. The recommended approach is to back partners’ strategies while assessing local strengths and weaknesses through targeted development. It was emphasized that improvements in rural areas and mid-sized cities do not occur by chance but require careful planning, a clear vision, and coordinated policies and instruments.
The Sigüenza conference was framed within Spain’s EU Presidency, which centers on countering population decline. At the same event, Luis Planas, Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, stated that Spain’s plan under the government led by Pedro Sánchez aims to advance rural development and to translate work carried out across the year into tangible European-level results for rural areas and for cities facing demographic challenges.
Planas spoke of Spain’s ambitious goals in this area and expressed optimism about outcomes that would emerge from joint efforts among EU member states. He urged participants to deepen the dialogue, noting that the focus is on people—the citizens who deserve a future—not merely on geographic extents such as square kilometres.
He added that it is time to set targets focused on delivering a dignified future for residents in regions at real risk of depopulation. The emphasis should be on sustainability and profitability to strengthen regional activities. Zamora and its surrounding areas are awaiting decisive actions that will propel them toward the future.
On the day, Sigüenza hosted the top European forum devoted to shaping the future of rural areas within the community. Commissioner Elisa Ferreira also attended, acknowledging that many strong, well-paid jobs concentrate in large cities and urging balanced progress in medium-sized towns and municipalities. The event aligned with Spain’s EU Presidency, during which the government aims to design concrete measures to curb depopulation.
Generational change appears to be one of the biggest challenges
Generational change stands out as a central hurdle for declining populations seeking a brighter future. Zamora, already among the oldest provinces in Spain, now aims for leadership in Europe among aging societies, a point highlighted by Planas. The minister addressed gender balance as a crucial objective, stating that efforts should move toward equality and community empowerment. He argued for a rural framework that prioritizes digitalization, high-quality agri-food production, local empowerment, and entrepreneurship to create jobs.
The work of the coming years will be vital for municipalities
Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, reaffirmed at the Sigüenza conference that the EU will provide tools and funding to reach long-term rural goals. He cited more than 120 million euros earmarked for research and innovation, underscoring that the work ahead is essential not only for rural communities but for Europe as a whole. The latest targets reinforce the need for concrete progress in rural areas.