Proposals for the development of the Greek countryside

Achieving a balanced growth geographically and environmentally sustainable is of particular importance for our country, because the devastation of large parts of the Greek countryside is a major economic, social, and national problem.  Basic objective of the State should be to substantially improve the economic status of residents in rural areas of the country, and mitigate the distance and the large difference in prosperity between the rural and urban centers developed to curb the population in rural areas and ensure balanced development of national space. The focus should be on problem (mountain, hill and island areas), and that the greatest problems. During the last 2-3 decades there has been some, unfortunately very few, parts of rural countryside visible improvement in living standards, but due to transfers (income payments, subsidies, etc.) rather than the development of their economy. Therefore, also continues to leave the rural population, especially young people, to seek work in urban areas.  With the exception of a few rural areas where other than agricultural production, there was considerable tourist activity and which retain their population in other parts of the growing development gap. Many marginal economic activities, particularly agriculture, abandoned and ravaged countryside. Infrastructure and environmental degradation and social life die. The desertification makes our country less and poorer. The labor movement in secondary and tertiary activities are to some extent inevitable. That does not necessarily imply a change of residence. We encourage the establishment of tourist, industrial and craft activities, accompanied by appropriate measures to improve social infrastructure, to keep the population in perifereia.Create alternative employment opportunities and income.This can only be achieved by diversifying the economy of these areas, the installation of non-agricultural activities, namely the employment opportunities and income. Moreover, the development of non-agricultural activities (manufacturing, market services, social services) will further develop the agricultural sector, since it will create local dynamic interdependence and complementarity. The rural problem is resolved so effectively only by integrated actions appropriately tailored to local circumstances.  With the revision of the CAP, the product support moves gradually decoupling subsidies from production levels while increasing the importance of measures of agri-environmental and rural development towards a multi-functional agriculture. Second is constantly upgraded as a pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy is no longer rural development in extra-agricultural activities that generate additional income.Funding for the second pillar of the CAP is expected to increase further in future and therefore need to create the appropriate structures for the smooth implementation of actions set out therein.  The rural areas have become attractive locations for residential, investment and economic activity.The comprehensive plans should be developed and applied in homogeneous rural areas, with responsibility of Municipalities, with the participation of the productive classes under the guidance of competent Ministries and the General Secretariat of each region.  For the development and implementation of these programs should educate the managers of  municipalities. The comprehensive plans should include actions and measures such as: Improvement and completion of technical and social infrastructure and provided by the State and the OTA social services so that rural areas become attractive locations for housing investment and economic activity. Provision; strong incentives, in the Prefecture with development incentives for the expansion or establishment of new production units (primary production, industry, manufacturing, tourism, trade, services). Support; tourism, especially agro-tourism as a lever to improve women's employment and upgrading the capacity and cultural events in rural areas. Improving the productivity of the workforce, programs and mechanisms for education and training to enable rural residents to meet the increased demand for skills in industrial and tourism activities. Encouraging the use of new technologies (eg telematics) that is useful in production units that are installed in the region and around the community, they will update the information provided in this service (health, education, information ). Encouraging the creation of new, local branded processed products, quality products and high added value for the increase in local income. Protecting and improving the environment and natural resources, given that such actions, except the main purpose, generate income and employment in the region. Use of agri-environmental measures and programs provided by the CFP, such as for afforestation of abandoned agricultural land to prevent soil erosion and create additional employment and income.  Upgrade of cultural heritage and a tourist attraction point. Katagrafi, protection and promotion of cultural heritage that is rich in rural areas of our country and may be an element of tourist attraction.  Especially with regard to smaller settlements should be identified who are viable and provide strong incentives settlements in these (cost reduction and grant building or repairing housing services network OTE, DEI, Transportation and Social Services in sufficient quality and low cost, etc.).