EN RD Thematic Initiatives > Thematic Activities

Introduction

The EN RD conducts a range of thematic activities, supporting/informing the implementation of the EU rural development policy. These include:

Thematic Working Groups

TWG1: Targeting rural territorial specificities and needs
TWG2: Linkages between agriculture and the wider rural economy
TWG3: Public goods and public intervention
TWG4: Delivery mechanisms of EU Rural Development Policy
Joint TWGs activities

Analysis of Rural Development Programmes

Summarising the RDPs

One of the roles of the EN RD is to make information on National and Regional Rural Development Programmes more accessible. As part of this process, summaries of the 88 RDP's currently being implemented by the Member States have been prepared by the EN RD Contact point including details of the policy priorities, the financial allocations by axis and by measure and other relevant information. To access the EN RD RDP fiches, click here.

The RDPs and Climate Change

Other screening exercises are also being undertaken to identify how the issue of climate change is tackled in the RDPs at Member State level. Click here to access the Climate Change Country Profiles.

The RDP's and Mountain Farming

As part of a wider review process being conducted by DG AGRI, the EN RD Contact Point undertook a review of the support currently available through Rural Development Programmes for Mountain Areas and Mountain farming.

Relevant reports:

Commission Staff Working Document "Peak Performance" [PDF ]
EN RD Mountain Farming Screening working paper [PDF ]

Thematic seminars and events

EN RD Seminar on Semi-Subsistence Farming in Romania:

Romania is the apt setting for an EN RD Seminar on the current situation and future prospects for semi-subsistence farming (SSF) in the EU. To be held on 13-15 October in Sibiu, the seminar will provide information and networking opportunities for around 150 participants. Topics being covered include: key SSF issues; wider implications of SSF for society and the environment; diversification and integration into the food chain and; the relevance of rural development policy instruments. EU and Member State roles will be examined with the aim of identifying types of rural development policy mechanisms or instruments that are well adapted to accommodate the needs of semi-subsistence farmers and the broader objectives of rural development policy. Read more.

Joint work with NRNs

NRN Joint thematic initiatives bring together NRNs which express common interest in specific areas of Rural Development Policy and Programme implementation. The main aim of such initiatives are to share knowledge and relevant experience of programme implementation amongst network participants. Topics are chosen that have a European dimension and can be of interest to a wider audience of stakeholders within the EN RD. Representatives of NRNs and MS experts exchange information and meet in workshops to develop common work plans and activities with the support and guidance of the EN RD Contact point. The participation of other European stakeholders in these initiatives is also actively encouraged. Current NRN thematic initiatives include: