This document is addressed to regional authorities, government agencies and other bodies with
a stake in the future of the rural regions of Europe – farming organisations, chambers of
commerce, labour unions and citizen groups. It emphasises the role that regional authorities can
play in the creation of policies for sustainable development. It explains the role that foresight can
play in the development of shared visions for the future of rural Europe, the mobilisation of
relevant actors and the synchronisation of interventions at regional level by central government
and agencies acting on their behalf.