In order to accelerate the promotion of the Rural Regeneration policy, in 2017 the COA transformed it into Rural Regeneration 2.0, using the rural community as the axis of development. Besides the axes of production, daily life, and ecology, we proposed using partnership relations created by local capabilities as the fourth axis. These allow rural communities with different special local features to develop appropriately, and, depending upon local industries, natural resources, and special cultural features, (i) facilitate regional diffusion, (ii) introduce the concepts and vitality of “New Agriculture,” (iii) strengthen cross-regional integration, and (iv) expand participation by citizens, local (municipal, city, and county) governments, and non-governmental organizations. At the same time, in coordination with the National Development Council’s “placemaking national strategic plan,” the COA strengthened major promotion points of Rural Regeneration including “keeping industries in place, cross-regional integration, and diversified participation,” creating ripple and resonance effects and driving synergy in rural development. Major accomplishments of Rural Regeneration plans included the following:

In local professional manpower training, as of the end of 2018 there was a cumulative total of 157,574 participants in 2,584 rural communities, and training had been provided in more than half of total communities (61%) in Taiwan.

The COA also continued to create highlights of regional or axial thematic development; guided the integration of rural industrial, academic, community, and government agency resources; and continued making a commitment to rural development. In 2018 the COA approved 40 areas of “Cross-regional Rural Industry Plan and Regional Shining Spot Plan in Rural Area,” 216 environmental improvement projects, eight agricultural production technology projects, and 214 software projects.

More than 4,600 youths returned to or stayed in rural communities to participate in agricultural industries, and more than 41 million tourists were attracted to agrotourism in 2018.

In order to establish a model for rural communities in Taiwan, the COA held the “1st Golden Village Competition” in 2017. We expected the two-stage competition mechanism to (i) promote collaboration between the central and local governments in rural development, (ii) stimulate consensus in rural communities, and (iii) create unique styles and features for these communities. With fierce competition between 707 rural communities from around Taiwan, 22 made it to the finals, where three Golds, four Silvers, and eight Bronze awards were announced. These awards, which were presented to the winners by President Tsai Ing-wen on April 26, 2018, established models and value for rural communities. Representatives of the prize-winning communities were even sent to Germany for exchanges, where they signed a letter of intent to cooperate; the journey expanded the perspectives of rural communities and stimulated creative thinking.