FAQ > Questions about the EN RD
What does the acronym EN RD stand for?
The acronym EN RD stands for European Network for Rural Development.
What is the role of the EN RD?
The EN RD has been established to create a network among EU rural development actors. This involves a wide variety of EU rural development stakeholders such as the National Rural Networks and other organisations or administrations active in the field of rural development. According to Article 67 of Regulation (EC) n. 1698/2005, the aim of the EN RD is to:
- collect, analyze and disseminate information on Community rural development measures;
- collect, disseminate and consolidate at Community level good rural development practices;
- provide information on developments in the Community’s rural areas and in third countries;
- organise meetings and seminars at Community level for those actively involved in rural development;
- set up and run networks with a view to facilitating an exchange of expertise and supporting implementation and evaluation of the rural development policy; and
- support the national networks and transnational cooperation initiatives.
The activity of the EN RD covers these tasks in relation to all rural development measures defined by the Regulation n. 1698/2005 along the four thematic axes.
How is the EN RD structured?
The organisational structure of the EN RD envisages the presence of:
- a Coordination committee: the body that assists the Commission in the preparation and implementation of the activities of the EN RD. It ensures the coordination between the EN RD, the National Rural Networks and organisations active in rural development at Community level. It also advises the Commission on the annual work programme of the EN RD and contributes to the choice of thematic work carried out by the EN RD, as well as making proposals to the Commission vis-à-vis the creation of thematic working groups;
- a Leader subcommittee: that contributes to the work of the Coordination committee. This committee advises the Commission on the annual work programme of EN RD concerning the Leader axis and contributes to the choice and coordination of thematic work in this field. It also supports the Commission in monitoring the implementation of transnational cooperation;
- thematic working groups: whose members are designated by the Commission taking in account proposals made by the Coordination committee. The groups’ mission is to focus on and analyse key issues (themes) concerning EU rural development policy. They will have a defined mandate and shall regularly report to the Coordination committee on the subjects covered by their theme; and
- an evaluation expert committee: it will follow the work undertaken by the European Evaluation Network for Rural Development which promotes the exchange of expertise and the establishment of best practice on evaluation of EU rural development policy. Further information is available from the European Evaluation Network for Rural Development website).
As part of the functioning of the EN RD, the Contact Point (CP) for the EN RD has the task to animate the network and provide specific services. For further information on the role and the activity of the CP you can refer to the relevant section below.
How can I be part of the network?
As a network, the EN RD consists of an open group of people and organisations (stakeholders) who interact together to share experience, information and develop contacts. Accordingly, it involves all rural actors involved in RD policy issues. Rural actors can be active within the network through engaging in the services and the tools provided by National Rural Networks and the EN RD Contact Point, at the European level. As a first step, for example, it is possible to subscribe to the EN RD newsletter service. This will help keep readers informed and up to date about what is happening in the world of EU rural development, and particularly the activities of the EN RD. (For further information on the Contact Point’s activities, you can refer to the relevant section of the FAQs).
Is the Leader+ network still operational?
As of the end of the 2000-2006 programming period, the Leader+ network ceased its activities. Since the Leader initiative’s approach has been integrated into the Rural Development regulation as a fourth thematic axis, the EN RD will also cover the Leader theme.
What is the European Evaluation Network (EEN)?
The European Evaluation Network for Rural Development (abbreviated to "Evaluation Expert Network"), as referred to in Article 67(e) of regulation (EC) N° 1698/2005, is an expert network with a view to facilitating an exchange of expertise and supporting implementation and evaluation of EU rural development policy. It operates under the responsibility of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.
It aims to increase the usefulness of evaluation as a tool for improving the formulation and implementation of rural development policies by helping to establish good practice and capacity building in the evaluation of rural development programmes up to 2013.
For further information on the EEN and on its Helpdesk – the structure in charge of running the network – you can look at the specific section hosted in the DG AGRI web pages dedicated to the Monitoring and Evaluation of rural development policy.
