The main objectives of this project are:

• To analyse recent trends and patterns in the evolution of rural areas in Europe from a territorial perspective, at least for the last twenty years, considering all the relevant internal and external factors that have influenced such differentiated evolution, with particular attention to the role and relevance that information and communication technologies have played in cases of success (attraction of new resources, growth, more and better jobs) and in cases of failure (loss of resources, stagnation, unemployment and low quality of jobs)
• To forecast the likely future evolution of identified trends and patterns in the medium term, considering long term sustainability as the reference parameter, and applying it to ongoing processes of change and the present reformed policy supply for rural development, with particular emphasis on the role information and communication technologies could play in such evolution.
• To identify the forms of governance and institutional cooperation or partnerships, from the local to the supra-national level, which have been influential in developing, codifying and diffusing information and communication technologies in different types of rural areas, either in the conception and design phase, the implementation and the evaluation phases. Formulation of recommendations on best practices will be provided.