ENRD CONNECTING RURAL EUROPE

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1 EN European Network for Rural Development ENRD CONNECTING RURAL EUROPE Funded by the

2 Rural development in the EU What is rural development? Rural development is about meeting the challenges and opportunities facing rural areas. It is about ensuring rural prosperity and quality of life, but it also concerns the whole of society; it is about the quality and safety of our food, the health of our environments, and jobs and growth. Predominantly rural regions represent 52% of EU territory and 23% of the population. They are the location for more than 46 million EU jobs. Source: European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development (2013 Rural Development Report) EU Rural Development Policy European Union Member States have sought to respond to the 21 st century challenges and opportunities facing rural areas by developing a common EU Rural Development Policy as part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). EU rural development objectives : 1. The competitiveness of European agriculture, including the viability of farms and improved food chain organisation; 2. The sustainable management of natural resources, including enhanced ecosystems and a low-carbon, climate-resilient rural economy; and 3. Balanced territorial development of rural economies and communities, including diversification of rural activities, job creation and poverty reduction. The EU s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has two parts CAP Pillar One Direct payments and market measures to support farmers incomes financed entirely from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund CAP Pillar Two Support for rural development co-financed from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2

3 Implementing EU rural development policy Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) are drawn up across the EU. These set out approaches and actions for achieving European rural development objectives in specific national or regional contexts. Implementation of the RDPs is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Activities that can be funded include: Innovation Start-up aid for young farmers Action against climate change Rural entrepreneurship Product quality schemes Local basic services Tourism infrastructure Creation of forests Ecosystem preservation Organic farming Community-led local development Co-operation projects The ENRD and National Rural Networks Since the start of the programming period, European regulation has called for the creation of National Rural Networks (NRNs) and the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD). The networks aim to develop exchange, co-operation and joint learning between concerned stakeholders to continually strengthen the planning and delivery of rural development programmes (RDPs). It is not their role to manage the RDPs or make spending decisions. The ENRD does not have a formal list of members, rather it aims to be the platform for involving and engaging all organisations and people interested in improving rural development in the EU. 3

4 What the ENRD does ENRD objectives Networking through the ENRD aims to achieve four main objectives: a. increase involvement of stakeholders in rural development; b. improve implementation of rural development programmes (RDPs); c. better inform on the benefits of rural development policy to a wider audience; d. support the evaluation of RDPs. ENRD activities To achieve these goals, the European Commission and the ENRD Contact Point support three main types of ENRD activity. Knowledge development ENRD knowledge development work brings together stakeholders from different Member States in thematic working groups, seminars and online exchanges to share perspectives and experiences on how rural development themes, topics and practices are understood and implemented across the EU. The ENRD knowledge development work provides analysis of important rural development topics, from organic farming to rural entrepreneurship and climate change to social inclusion. It also identifies successful methods and practices for implementing rural development programmes and projects. Developing the European knowledge base aims to improve the capacity to achieve rural development objectives on the ground through improved implementation of the national and regional RDPs. The outputs of ENRD s knowledge development work include analytical summaries of the RDPs, thematic publications and an online database of good practices. 4

5 Exchange and co-operation The ENRD brings together a variety of rural development actors in formal and informal ways to facilitate the exchange of new ideas, knowledge and best practice, and the development of co-operation. The main participants in this networking are National Rural Networks (NRNs), Member State authorities, National Support Units (NSUs), LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) and European organisations (representing e.g. farmers, the environment, rural communities...). Exchange on rural development topics takes place at ENRD meetings and seminars as well as through online discussion forums. Co-operation is further supported through online partner search tools. Communication ENRD communication tools are used to share rural development information with a broad range of interested audiences. Specific tools are employed to disseminate high-level expertise and knowledge amongst stakeholders involved in the implementation of national and regional RDPs. At the same time, ENRD tools communicate interesting and successful ideas around rural development practice to rural stakeholders who could carry out similar actions. ENRD tools with broader reach are used to communicate rural development news, stories and results to a wider public. Various ENRD communication channels are used including a number of printed publications, the website and social media platforms (see pages 8-11). 5

6 Stronger rural networking structures The ENRD operates within a broader framework of European rural networking. For the period, European networking on rural development has been strengthened with the addition of new structures. Dialogue Structures The European Commission created new structures for the period to reinforce dialogue on the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs). EU RURAL NETWO and STEERIN Rural Networks ENRD Support Units The work of the ENRD and EIP-AGRI networks is facilitated by three independent support units working in close collaboration. They are all based in Brussels, but work across the EU. ENRD CONTACT POINT The ENRD Contact Point supports the running and activities of the ENRD. It coordinates its thematic and analytic work, organises ENRD workshops and seminars and communicates the work of the network. EVALUATION HELPDESK The Evaluation Helpdesk provides specialist support to improve methods, tools, knowledge and understanding for evaluating RDPs. 6

7 The Rural Networks Assembly meets annually to provide strategic direction, guidance and advice to the work of the ENRD and EIP-AGRI networks. It highlights emerging issues and important topics for the networks to work on. The Assembly is made up of up to 200 members representing stakeholder RKS ASSEMBLY G GROUP groups, including: National Rural Networks (NRNs); public authorities; European NGOs; Local Action Groups (LAGs); and agricultural research and advisory bodies. The Assembly has three permanent sub-groups that will carry out work on the themes of: innovation; LEADER and CLLD; and evaluation. Additional, non-permanent sub-groups can be given a specific mandate by the Assembly. The Rural Networks Steering Group is composed of 48 representatives selected to follow-up the activities of the ENRD and EIP-AGRI networks, notably to ensure good coordination of thematic work. It will also oversee the work of the thematic subgroups. New from 2014! EIP-AGRI EIP-AGRI SERVICE POINT The EIP-AGRI Service Point facilitates knowledge sharing and exchange, and communicates the latest news and developments specifically to support innovation in agriculture and forestry. The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) works to promote learning and exchange between all European stakeholders with an interest in promoting rural development in Europe. Working alongside, but independently from, the ENRD is the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). Established by the European Commission in 2012, EIP-AGRI has the specific mandate to foster links between scientific research and farmers and forestry managers. It aims to close the gap between innovation and practice in working towards rural development goals. 7

8 ENRD online Find out more and join in the online exchange and debate on rural development in the EU by using the ENRD s online communications tools.. ENRD website Visit the ENRD website for all you need to know about the ENRD and rural development in Europe. Find latest news and updates on rural development policy and programmes and access specific tools including: Rural Development Gateway understand what is new in the rural development programming period. RDP Projects Database find interesting examples of good rural development projects funded by the EAFRD. LEADER Gateway a one-stop-shop of tools and information on the LEADER local development method. Communicating Rural Development Gateway get inspired with this database of good communication practices. 8

9 ENRD Social media Follow ENRD updates and share your news, photos and videos via our social media channels. Find the right social media channel for you: Visit the ENRD Facebook page for examples of successful and innovative rural development practices from across the EU as well as latest news and trends on related issues, such as food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability. on Twitter for updates on EU rural development policy, news and events. Watch videos on rural development projects and thematic issues on the EURural YouTube channel. Join the ENRD LinkedIn group for debates, exchange and discussion around rural development policy and implementation issues. 9

10 Funded by the ENRD publications Keep up to date with all the latest news, views and developments in European rural development by reading the various ENRD publications. These are available on the Publications and Media section of Or you can subscribe by ing Newsletter All the latest rural development news from Europe - delivered straight to your inbox once a month! The ENRD Newsletter provides quick bite-sized summaries of emerging issues, hot topics, news and events about rural development in Europe. The newsletter is distributed in three languages: EN; FR; DE. Magazine Rural Connections is the European Rural Development Magazine, produced by the ENRD. Rural Connections presents individual and organisational perspectives on important rural development issues, as well as stories and profiles of rural development projects and stakeholders. The magazine also updates readers on the rural development news they may have missed from across Europe. It is published in six EU languages: EN; FR; DE; ES; IT; PL. Share your stories by writing to editor@enrd.eu RURAL EN SPRING 2015 European Network for Rural Development CONNECTIONS THE EUROPEAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE 10

11 Funded by the Funded by the Thematic Publications European Network for Rural Development ORGANIC FARMING The European Union s organic market has quadrupled EN EU RURAL REVIEW N 19 WINTER 2015 over the last 10 years, the potential for further growth in the sector remains strong. EU Rural Review is the ENRD s principal thematic publication. It is published twice a year in six EU languages (EN; FR; DE; ES; IT; PL). It presents the latest knowledge and understanding of a particular topic relevant to rural development in Europe. Themes range from rural entrepreneurship and food quality to climate change and social inclusion. The ENRD also produces ad-hoc guides and factsheets on pertinent topics to keep rural stakeholders informed about the latest rural development policy issues and initiatives. Project Brochures EN The ENRD publishes European Network for Rural Development PROJECTS BROCHURE brochures of good The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development SOCIAL and interesting INCLUSION EAFRD-funded projects (see p.3). The project brochures aim to inform about the latest rural development initiatives and inspire further projects. Each edition highlights successful project examples on a particular rural development theme, which could be anything from social inclusion to innovation or farm competitiveness. Project brochures are also published in six EU languages (EN; FR; DE; ES; IT; PL). 11

12 The ENRD Stay informed! Get involved! The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) connects rural development stakeholders throughout the European Union. The network serves as an exchange and communications hub for the sharing of information about how rural development policies are working in practice and how they can be improved. Stay informed! Find out more about the ENRD, visit Subscribe to the ENRD Newsletter. Read the latest edition of Rural Connections. Find an edition of the EU Rural Review on a topic that interests you. Read about inspiring rural development projects in the EAFRD projects brochure. (Find all these in the Publications and Media section of the website) Get involved! Follow the work of your National Rural Network or Find a Local Action Group in your area. (find out more on the country map on the ENRD website) Share your news, views and stories: - use the ENRD social media channels - or editor@enrd.eu Any questions? the ENRD at: info@enrd.eu Last updated: January European Union, 2015 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. ENRD Contact Point Rue de la Loi, 38 (bte 4) B-1040 Bruxelles Tel