The European Committee of the Regions adopted with an overwhelming majority the opinion of Leitrim County Councillor Enda Stenson. His vision was to achieve the objectives of rural areas where people could live, work, raise a family and grow old with dignity and self-sufficiency.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added an additional dimension and urgency to the quest for rural revival in regions across the European Union. Rural areas, towns and villages have been decimated by the reduction of demand for agricultural products with the closure of bars and restaurants as well as the demise of tourism across the EU. They have also been more vulnerable as they have limited access to medical centres, hospitals, transport and poor or non-existent access to internet. The digital divide has especially impacted education and business. This needs to change.

Cllr Stenson highlighted that the outcome of the discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework will be crucial for the development of rural areas. "We need to have cross cutting access of funding for our rural communities in the new MFF to provide new opportunities for our rural areas", he said.

Cllr Stenson also presented his opinion to the Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski and highlighted that the policy for our rural communities needs to save move rural areas from:

He also highlighted to the commissioner that the farmers have been the guardians of the land for centuries and will be the leaders of the greening of our rural communities.  

"The rural communities are ready and now it's time for the EU put money where our mouth is and finally deliver a real rural revival", Cllr Stenson concluded.
​