Digitalisation and Territorial Cohesion: Crucial Factors for Sustainable Development in the EU

The European Union is currently confronted with a series of challenges that have an adverse impact on the social and economic advancement of its constituent regions. These challenges include those of regional cohesion, the depopulation of rural areas and the growing disparities between urban and rural regions. As a pivotal phenomenon of our era, digitalisation is emerging as a pivotal instrument for grappling with these challenges.
The digitalisation of society facilitates access to information and services, while also promoting innovation and improving the efficiency of public and private services. This project is concerned with the ways in which digitalisation can contribute to regional cohesion policy, with a particular focus on the specific issues faced by less developed and rural areas. Local communities frequently contend with depopulation and the migration of younger individuals to urban areas, which gives rise to a dearth of employment prospects and a paucity of services.
In the context of the EU's rural development strategy, the concept of "rural proofing" emerges, which involves examining the impacts of policy measures on rural areas. This project aims to assess how digital technologies can help mitigate the effects of these political decisions and support the development of regions that are not adequately included in existing strategies. By focusing on digitalisation as a tool for enhancing regional cohesion, we can contribute to the creation of a stronger and more balanced EU.