summary
The concept of demographic challenge has been coined in light of the current changes and imbalances produced in the human population. A phenomenon that affects social, economic and territorial cohesion.
Factors such as the aging of the population, the decrease in the number of young people, a very low birth rate, as well as its distribution in the territory, create various challenges both in areas that are losing population and in large receiving urban areas.
These changes have an economic, social, budgetary and ecological impact, both at a national, regional and local level. A global impact that directly affects public policies, the sustainability of the health system, social services, care for the elderly and dependent people, youth policies, education, the digitization of society, new niches of employment, the development of agriculture and livestock, in short, the maintenance and evolution of traditional ecosystems and infrastructures.
The risks of depopulation in certain areas caused, in addition to specific challenges, limited transport, mobility and access to services on equal terms.
Public policies and actions must address trying to integrate demographic considerations in all areas and establish mechanisms that prioritize those areas where the consequences of demographic change have a particular incidence. The National Strategy in this matter of demographic return establishes a global transversal and multidisciplinary framework in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities, with the aim of alleviating the problem of progressive population aging, territorial depopulation and the effects of the floating population.
The response to the impact produced by demographic change must be endowed with a broad, coordinated and inclusive vision.
The Junta de Andalucía has carried out strategies and adopted measures in recent years in various matters that have a positive impact on improving territorial balance. Sales tax of Law 5/2021, of October 20, on Assigned Taxes of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, the Training Strategy of the Public Health System of Andalusia 2022-2025, the Live in Andalusia Plan, for housing, rehabilitation and regeneration of Andalusia 2020-2030, the Primary Care Strategy Strategic Plan 2020-2022, the Strategy for the Promotion of a Healthy Life in Andalusia, the Strategy for the Promotion of the ICT Sector Andalusia 2020, the Strategy for Telecommunications Infrastructures of Andalusia 2020, the formulation of the Andalusian Strategy for Sustainable Mobility and Transport 2030, the Strategic Plan to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural, livestock, fish, agro-industrial and rural development sectors of Andalusia 2023-2030, as well as some recent ones, the formulation of the Strategy for a Innovative Public Administration, which refers to the problems that the aging of the population and how it is having an impact on the quality of resources to meet the needs of society, or the formulation of the Andalusian Strategy for Digital Administration focused on people 2023 -2030, among others.
From the studies carried out over these years, we can state that the situation of Andalusia in terms of population evolution is not as worrisome as that of other Autonomous Communities, but we are aware that our demographic challenge must be based on a comprehensive approach that It could suppose a balance between rural spaces, inland provinces, mountains and coast, together with a diverse environment as a community.
Andalusia is considered an ideal place to live, so the challenge we have to face now is to make it also the best place to work and undertake. Therefore, a future action strategy in Andalusia must involve the whole of society and pay due consideration to the role of local authorities in the challenges brought about by demographic change, promote the exchange of best practices between them and favor approaches focused on prevention and early intervention. It is necessary to project a comprehensive vision, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, which involves policies as varied as housing, employment, education, socio-sanitary, health, migration, social benefits, aid or support for capacity development, as a double urban and rural dimension, and the necessary cooperation of all sectors, and especially the local one.
The Strategy has the vocation of going beyond the horizon of the traditional visions of rural development, centered on the second pillar of the Common Agrarian Policy, valued very positively, assuming that the objective of the cohesion of rural areas implies interactions with diverse activities and sectors , which together with agriculture and forests, serve to promote the sustainable development of municipalities, in line with the Development Objectives (SDGs), including the main purpose of procuring basic public services adapted to the needs of the population, enabling the effective equality of opportunities for its inhabitants, and the economic and social cohesion of the rural environment.
It is necessary to have a global strategy that unites the efforts of all the public policy of the Junta de Andalucía: health, social policies, employment, housing, transport, innovation, information and communication technologies (ICT), rural development or emigration. , among others.
With respect to the competence framework, although there is no specific competence title, taking into account its cross-cutting nature, there are multiple ones that enable the adoption of this Government Agreement.
Specifically, and based on the mandate that the Statute of Autonomy directs the autonomous public powers to promote the conditions so that the freedom and equality of the individual and of the groups in which they are real and effective, and to propitiate the effective equality of man and of women, it is worth referring to the competences in terms of organization, regime and operation of their self-government institutions; local regime, land use planning, urban planning and housing; highways and roads whose itinerary is developed entirely in the territory of the region; ground transportation; agriculture, livestock and agri-food industries; rural development, forests, uses and forestry services; economic activity planning and promotion of economic development; craftswoman; promote culture and research; tourism; promotion of sport and the proper use of leisure; social assistance and social services; healthy; industry; energy production, distribution and transportation facilities; sanitation and hygiene, promotion, prevention and restoration of health; protection of the environment and ecosystems; and finally, tax measures, regional solidarity, financial autonomy, and recognition of the autonomous Treasury.
The Decree of the President 10/2022, of July 25, on the restructuring of female councilors, in its article 14 attributes to the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function, among others, the competence in matters of local administration. For its part, through Decree 164/2022, of August 9, which establishes the organic structure of the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function, in its article 7.1.g), assigns to the General Secretariat of Administration Local the planning and execution of the powers related to the demographic challenge, in coordination with the Minister of competence in matters of rural development.
By virtue, in accordance with article 27.12 of Law 6/2006, of October 24, of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, at the proposal of the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function, and after deliberation by the Council of Government, at its meeting on May 2, 2023, the following was adopted
AGREEMENT
First. Formulation.
The formulation of the Strategy against the Demographic Challenge in Andalusia is approved, hereinafter Strategy, whose structure, preparation and approval is carried out in accordance with the provisions established in this agreement.
Second. Good.
The Strategy is formed as the general planning instrument for policies related to the Demographic Challenge, in order to contribute to guaranteeing basic public services adapted to the needs of the population, enabling effective equality of opportunities for its inhabitants, and economic cohesion. and social aspects of the rural environment, contributing to fixing the population in the rural world.
1. In turn, this general objective is specified in a series of specific objectives that, among others, may be the following:
Third. Content.
The Strategy will include, at least, the following contents:
- a) An analysis of the context of the situation in Andalusia.
- b) A diagnosis of the starting situation, both from an internal and external perspective that allows generating a SWOT analysis (Weaknesses, Threats, Strengths, Opportunities), which establishes the point of reflection on the Strategy.
- c) The definition of the strategic objectives to be achieved during the monitoring period of the Strategy and its alignment with those already existing at the European and national level.
- d) The definition of the lines of work and the actions to be undertaken within the time frame of the Strategy to achieve the Set Objectives.
- e) The definition of a model of Governance of the Strategy.
- f) The establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system of the Strategy, identifying priority sectors, indicators and expected impact.
Room. Preparation and approval process.
1. The Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function, through the General Secretariat of Local Administration, in coordination with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, will be in charge of directing the development of the Strategy. Likewise, they may be advised by experts and leaders in this matter.
2. The preparation process will be as follows:
- 1. The Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function prepares an initial proposal for the Strategy, which is transferred to all the Ministers of the Administration of the Junta de Andalucía for their analysis and contribution of proposals.
- 2. The initial proposal of the Strategy was presented to public information for a period of not less than one month, announcing it in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía, and the corresponding documentation can be consulted in the transparency section of the Junta de Andalucía Portal. and on the website of the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function, following the channels provided in Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.
- 3. The Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function collect the mandatory report from the Andalusian Council of Local Governments, as well as any other mandatory reports in accordance with the applicable regulations.
- 4. Subsequently, the person in charge of the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function submits the final proposal of the Strategy to the Governing Council for its approval by agreement.
Fifth. Qualification.
The person in charge of the Minister of Justice, Local Administration and Public Function is empowered to execute and develop this agreement.
Sixth. effects
This agreement will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía.
