Report on the methodological framework to define Functional Rural Areas and rural transitions

The report aims to define the concept of Functional Rural Area (FRA) and the differences/similarities with the current definitions of rural areas at the European level (including EU and non-EU countries). The report will be structured in four parts: a) The theoretical framework for analyzing the functions of rural areas; b) The current approaches to the functional area in the scientific and practical literature, with particular focus upon rural areas; d) Main proposals regarding the Functional Rural Areas and operational implications in terms of variables/indicators to be used and gaps to be filled; e) An indicative outline of the analysis of the 14 pilot regions to be conducted in Task 1.2.