Aiding rural policymaking
Policymakers often attempt to find solutions benefiting both the economy and environment in rural areas. However, achieving such goals can be difficult, in which case decision makers need some support. Funded through the EU's Marie Curie programme for researcher development, the RURAL DECISIONS project ran over three years to July 2012. The main goal was to develop a multi-criteria decision-support system for agricultural and environmental policy, targeting Germany, Poland and the United States. The system was intended to 'operationalise' indefinite information provided by experts using a PROMETHEE approach. In addition, the programming model was constructed to integrate fuzzy information and game theory, and to facilitate political decision making. Research was completed on schedule, including a literature review of the project's themes, computer-based testing of methods and a survey of American environmental experts. The interviews were evaluated, and the results prepared as conference and journal papers. Project researchers also undertook seven courses in environmental economics, mathematics and programming. A further six courses facilitated career development. Scientific extension activities included seminars, plus a variety of visits and excursions mostly to American institutions. Team members served as members of several committees, chaired certain meetings and taught two courses. A total of nine conference presentations were given. The RURAL DECISIONS project yielded a novel tool that supports policy evaluation and decision making in contexts of European rural economics. The work also helped to improve European scientific excellence.