In 2023, the project “Regional Population Diversity and Social Cohesion in the Local Context” brought together experts from across Europe, who work in academia, politics and civil society, to discuss the relationship between demographic change, territorial inequalities and the rise of anti-democratic attitudes. In a series of online workshops, experts discussed the concerning support for populist parties in different European regions as a form of “protest” against current living conditions and the effective (counter) measures taken by civil society at the local level. The aim of this policy brief is to highlight the timely and policy-relevant results of this transdisciplinary and transnational dialogue, based on the latest scientific data and practical knowledge shared by eminent experts and practitioners.
Key messages
- Perceptions of territorial injustice can fuel support for disruptive political movements, making it crucial for policymakers to address these grievances. Community divisions and the loss of spaces for diverse interactions exacerbate polarisation within shrinking regions.
The link between shrinking regions and support for extremism and populism is neither universal nor inevitable. Endorsing positive narratives about rural regions, embracing the diverse characteristics of rural communities and maintaining openness towards newcomers can be effective methods in countering both populism and stereotypes.
The project “Regional population diversity and social cohesion in local contexts” is funded by Stiftung Mercator.