ENRD Main Stories Archives
Top Story: ENRD REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2010
As we begin a new year, we take a look back at what the ENRD accomplished in 2010...
With 2010 came a new slogan…’Connecting Rural Europe’ and this year certainly saw the growth of the ENRD as a practical mechanism, which bridges the gap between EU institutions and rural development stakeholders across Europe. Indeed, the ENRD played a pivotal role in many aspects of rural development policy advancement this year, including its engagement in the CAP debate post 2013 - with over 5,500 contributions received.
New Thematic Working Group
This year also saw the launch of a new Thematic Working Group on the delivery mechanisms (TWG4) to identify the main bottlenecks in the implementation of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs), so as to ensure these programmes are used more efficiently in the future. “It is early days but the process of engagement has really grown in 2010, involving all NRNs, many LAGs and a range of European and Member State representative bodies,” said Adrian Neal, of the ENRD Contact Point in Brussels. Of course, effective communication is the key to effective networking, and the gradual expansion and enhancement of the ENRD website has been crucial in this regard.
Work is ongoing, but clearly the website is already a valuable tool for all ENRD stakeholders, as it includes summary information on rural development institutions, structures, programmes and measures at Member State level. The range and depth of information and analysis available is immense and with the redesign of our home-page, this information is now easier to access.
Revitalising rural economies
Ways in which EAFRD funding help to revitalise rural economies was the focal point for the development of the RDP Projects Database, due to go live in early 2011. This process involves the collection and dissemination of relevant examples across Europe. July saw the launch of the ‘My ENRD’ dynamic tool, and we look forward to engaging more with you on this next year, to ensure this tool supports all your networking needs. From Malta to Romania, the ENRD was represented at an array of events and fairs across the EU in 2010 and we look forward to meeting you at next year’s events…And one final thing, look out for yourselves in our new media gallery which will continue to feature photos and videos of all ENRD related activity for the coming year…In the meantime, we wish you all a very merry Christmas, and much happy networking in 2011!
