Background
Rural growth agreements (bygdevekstavtaler) were established as a new regional policy instrument to address complex challenges facing small and peripheral municipalities. The initiative was based on the recognition that many rural municipalities experience population decline, shortages of skilled labour, housing constraints, and limited capacity for long-term development work.
The agreements were developed in response to the understanding that rural challenges are multifaceted and require stronger collaboration across levels of government and policy sectors.
The scheme was launched by the Støre Government through the Hurdal Platform in 2021 and was founded on the ambition of giving municipalities a more active role in local development. Municipalities were expected to define their own key challenges and develop solutions in collaboration with neighbouring municipalities, as well as with regional and national actors.
What Questions Did the Evaluation and Accompanying Trailing Research Address?
The accompanying trailing research and evaluation examined whether rural growth agreements function as an effective regional policy instrument. The analyses focused on how the agreements influence municipalities' development capacity, the coordination between local, regional, and national actors, the emergence of new forms of collaboration, and the potential for more place-based and locally adapted solutions in rural areas.
Why Is the Project Relevant and Timely?
Rural municipalities face complex challenges related to demographic change, workforce recruitment, access to skills and competence, and business development. These challenges can rarely be addressed by a single actor alone. Rural growth agreements therefore represent an attempt to develop more integrated and collaborative approaches, linking local needs more closely with regional and national policy instruments.
The project provides new knowledge about how collaboration between municipalities, regional actors, and the state can be organized to address complex rural development challenges. The findings are relevant for the future development of Norway's regional and rural policy framework.
