This report presents the methodological framework and literature review on strategic local planning in shrinking rural areas. It offers the territorial evidence on shrinking in the RURALPLAN stakeholders' areas, identifies planning practices, and includes an assessment of effectiveness and gaps in the current planning practices. It includes 

1. Data on shrinkage in the stakeholder’s area, 
2. Literature review of policies and practices of local and regional planning and development in shrinking rural areas, with suggestions on how shrinking can be approached; 
3. Existing planning practices in the pilot regions/municipalities, with suggestions for what strategies and detailed a model/method can be applied in the three pilot-cases.