ENRD Newsletter - January 2016

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  New Circular Economy action plan  
 
Reducing waste along the whole food supply chain is one of the main components of the EU’s new Circular Economy Package. The package includes targeted funding and actions to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth.

The broad set of measures to achieve a more resource-efficient economy in Europe was launched in December 2015. It will support ‘closing the loop’ of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, thus maintaining the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible, while minimising the generation of waste.

A recent EIP-AGRI publication “Opportunities for agriculture and forestry in the circular economy” features case studies exploring ways for rural development stakeholders to contribute to and benefit from the circular economy.
 
 
 
ENRD thematic work progressing into 2016
The ENRD Contact Point (CP) organised its first Thematic Group meetings on the subjects of ‘Smart and Competitive Rural Areas’ and ‘Promoting the Transition to the Green Economy’ in December 2015. A number of follow-on activities are now planned for 2016.

Further Thematic Group meetings, larger European Seminars and publications associated with each theme will be delivered by the CP in 2016. More information on these outputs and opportunities to get involved will be made available under the thematic section of the ENRD website.

Please contact the CP to contribute your views and examples of good practice supported under the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs), in particular around:
  • using data or technology to improve agricultural production; modern technology to support rural business and services (contact David Lamb);
  • waste reduction, improved resource-efficiency and climate-friendly practices, including circular or bio-economy approaches in agriculture and forestry  (contact John Grieve).
     
    EU steps up action on climate change 

    With the first ever legally binding global climate deal agreed in Paris in December 2015, there are moves to further increase EU efforts to fight climate change. The EU is making available increased financing in areas such as agriculture, research, energy, transport and development.
     
    The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports climate-friendly farming practices through rural development funds that account for nearly 73% of the climate change adaptation funding available under the European Structural and Investment Funds and through ‘greening’ rules linked to direct payments to farmers.
     
    Benefitting from short supply chains

    A new EIP-AGRI publication “Innovative Short Food Supply Chain Management” maps out the organisational, technical and financial barriers to the scaling up of profitable short food chains and identifies potential solutions to allow more farms to benefit.

    The publication focuses on setting up and getting support for collaborative activities to develop short food supply chains for mutual benefit. See also a related factsheet.
    Community-Led Local Development in 2014-2020
     
    A new study examines various approaches to implementing CLLD and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) using support from the various European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in 2014-2020. It includes several case studies from across Europe, including use of multi-fund and cross-border CLLD.

    Published by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development in Germany, the paper demonstrates the increased potential for integrated territorial approaches across Europe using CLLD and ITI.
     
    Rethinking farm modernisation

    A new range of materials exploring the potential links between farm modernisation and sustainable rural development has recently been made available by the RETHINK project

    The materials include 14 case studies from across the EU and beyond examining innovative ways to achieve rural prosperity and resilience in a context of market fluctuations, societal demands and resource constraints.
     
    Greater transparency for ESIF investments

    A new online tool provided by the European Commission offers easy access to information on the financing and expected achievements under all European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), 2014-2020.
     
    Users can explore ESIF data by theme, Member State or Fund. This means that, for example, rural development stakeholders can easily see which themes are given most funding in their country and by which Funds. EU level analysis is also facilitated.
     
    Public consultation on CAP ‘greening’ measures 

    The European Commission currently is seeking public opinion on greening obligations under the Direct Payments pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The consultation is open until 8 March 2016.
     
    In particular, views are sought from farmers, Member States' administrations, NGOs and others on the first year of implementation of the new greening obligations.
     
    The CAP in your country

    A new series of factsheets published by DG AGRI overviews how the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is implemented in each EU Member State.
     
    The factsheets include data on the agricultural sector in each country, key achievements in the 2007-2013 period, plans for the reformed CAP in 2014-2020, as well as examples of good projects benefitting the development of rural areas.

    For those interested in learning more about the CAP in 2014-2020 an open-access e-learning course is available online, including modules on rural development and direct payments to farmers.

     
    New publications on food and farming in the EU
     
    Three recent DG AGRI publications on food and farming in the EU overview the opportunities available under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to ensure sustainable land use, employment and growth in rural areas and effective mechanisms to address market volatility.
     
    The publications were released in the context of the “EU Agricultural Outlook Conference” of December 2015, where they provided the basis for discussions on sustainable food production, short supply chains and climate change mitigation.
     

     
         
    14-16 January 2016  
    Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, GFFA 2016
    Berlin, Germany
    Held within the framework of the International Green week, this international conference focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry. The 2016 edition will be held on the subject "How to feed our cities? - Agriculture and rural areas in an era of urbanisation".
       
    15-24 January 2016
    International Green Week
    Berlin, Germany
    The 81st edition of IGW will feature multiple exhibitions of the food, agricultural and horticultural industries, as well as events addressing topics such as organic agriculture, rural development and renewable resources.
       
    15 January 2016
    Internet of Things (IoT) - large scale pilot on smart farming and food security
    Brussels, Belgium
    This open day will present the new call for large scale pilots on smart farming and food security under Horizon2020, the EU’s biggest Research and Innovation programme.
       
    19 January 2016
    ENRD Workshop on Simplified Cost Options in LEADER/CLLD
    Brussels, Belgium
    The workshop will address the design and applicability of Simplified Cost Options (SCOs) to LEADER/CLLD, particularly in relation to ‘preparatory support’ and ‘running costs and animation’.
       
    20-21 January 2016  
    Forum on the Future of the Rural Areas
    Berlin, Germany
    Held within the framework of the International Green week, this event organised by the German Ministry of Agriculture will discuss the various aspects that contribute to rural areas’ dynamism and innovation potential. 
       
    26-28 January 2016  
    Designing the Path: a Strategic Approach to EU Agricultural Research and Innovation
    Brussels, Belgium
    The conference will discuss a new overarching approach to carrying out research on contemporary challenges facing agriculture and rural areas in the EU.
       
    27-28 January 2016  
    Organic Producers' Conference
    Bristol, UK
    The 10th edition of the conference will bring together producers interested in ecological approaches to sustainable food production with researchers and advisers to share ideas on making agriculture perform better for their businesses and society.
       
    1 February 2016   
    European Conference "Unlocking the Potential of RDPs"
    Brussels, Belgium
    The conference will present an overview of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) across the EU and discuss questions relating to implementation bottlenecks, scope for simplification and good practice on programming and result reporting, including the role of networks.
       
    3-6 February 2016
    FIERAGRICOLA - International Agricultural Technologies Show
    Verona, Italy
    The 112th edition of this international event offers a broad range of agricultural topics covered through multiple debates, exhibitions, technical and scientific meetings, performances and dynamic tests.
       
    8 February 2016
    New Rural Development Plans and the Environment: The Hidden Truth?
    Brussels, Belgium
    The event will discuss the potential of Rural Development Programmes’ planning and implementation to make the best of greening and other environment-related measures.
       
    15-17 February 2016  
    5th National Rural Development Forum
    Zaragoza, Spain
    Organised in the framework of the International Fair of Agricultural Machinery (FIMA 2016), this forum will enable the exchange of experience from the public and private sectors, as well as young farmers’ practices, to tackle economic and social challenges faced by youth living in rural areas..
       
    16 February 2016  
    LEADER/CLLD Sub-group Meeting
    Brussels, Belgium
    The second meeting of the sub-group will update on the state-of-play of programming and implementation of LEADER and Transnational Cooperation (TNC) and discuss recent activities and initiatives on improving LEADER/CLLD delivery.
       
    18 February 2016  
    4th Innovation Sub-group Meeting
    Brussels, Belgium
    Save the date. More details to follow.
       
    23 February 2016  
    Urban Agriculture and the European Agenda
    Brussels, Belgium
    The event will discuss possibilities for urban agriculture to support the Europe 2020 strategy and how various EU policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy, can benefit from it.
       
    24 February 2016  
    2nd Meeting of ENRD Thematic Group "Smart and Competitive Rural Areas"
    Brussels, Belgium
    The meeting will explore how to use the rural development tools available to develop ‘Smart and Competitive Areas’, focussing on developing added value and improving access to markets.
       
    27 February – 6 March 2016 
    Paris International Agricultural Show
    Paris, France
    This exhibition is the annual meeting place for key players in the world of agriculture. It is organised around four sectors: livestock breeding; products and gastronomy; crops, plants, nature and lifestyle; and agricultural services and professions.
       
    29 February - 1 March 2016  
    National Rural Networks’ Meeting
    Bled, Slovenia
    The fourth NRNs’ meeting for the period 2014-2020 will support Network Support Units (NSUs) in identifying and developing relevant activities to improve the implementation of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs).
       
    1-2 March 2016  
    What Future for our Farming Systems? Environmental Challenges and Integrated Solutions
    Edinburgh, UK
    This conference will discuss the benefits to be gained from more sustainable resource use and greater integration of different land uses on lowland and upland farming systems.
       
    4 March 2016  
    Rural Networks’ Steering Group Meeting
    Brussels, Belgium
    Save the date. More details to follow.
       
    17 March 2016 
    ENRD Workshop on LEADER/CLLD in Social Inclusion
    Brussels, Belgium
    Save the date. More details to follow.
       
    22 March 2016 
    9th Forum for the Future of Agriculture
    Brussels, Belgium
    The forum, jointly organised by the European Landowners’ Organisation (ELO) and Syngenta, aims to stimulate debate on sustainable agriculture and environmental challenges.
       
    31 March-2 April 2016
    World Forum on Access to Land
    Valencia, Spain
    The event will gather a variety of social and institutional actors to address major issues linked to access to land and natural resources, and develop efficient solutions.
       
    31 March-2 April 2016
    Agricultural Exhibition ‘Ka Pasesi 2016’
    Kaunas, Lithuania
    This international exhibition will feature topics ranging from agricultural techniques to agricultural science and advisory services, from rural trades to agricultural publications and advertising.
       
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