Rural Proofing
Lessons from OECD countries and potential application to health
Improving rural development, well-being and maximising the potential in rural areas
requires greater horizontal and vertical co-ordination at the national, regional,
and local level as well as the mainstreaming of rural issues across all policies.
However, taking an integrated approach to rural development - where rural ministries
and non-rural ministries coordinate in the development of polices and initiatives
- is often very challenging. Rural proofing is a tool to help policy makers overcome
this challenge and develop more nuanced rural-friendly policies. It involves making
policy decisions based on evidence on rural dynamics available in a timely fashion
to enable changes and adjustments. In practice, however, it is a mechanism that has
proved complex to design, implement, and sustain. This article explores how more robust
rural proofing models can be developed, with health as a focal point. Drawing on lessons
from different OECD member countries, it develops a roadmap for more effective rural
proofing mechanisms to help embed the practice in the policy space and culture of
governments.
Available from June 20, 2024
In series:OECD Regional Development Papersview more titles