NRN Rural Entrepreneurship Thematic Initiative

The Rural Entrepreneurship Thematic Initiative was launched in March 2010 in response to agreement amongst the NRNs to work together to identify and promote viable strategies and actions in response to the critical economic issues found in many rural areas.

Active co-operation between the NRNs was initiated in mid-April 2010 with the collection of information for the preparation of a Context Analysis to help underpin the future activities of the Thematic Initiative. This included i) a literature review of recent publications and research projects of relevance, and; ii) a baseline survey of interested NRNs.

Response to the baseline survey was very encouraging with a total of 15 NRNs replying with varying amounts of information.

The final version of the Context Analysis can be downloaded from here [PDF ].

Following extensive consultation with the NRNs in 2010/2011, four sub-themes for the Rural Entrepreneurship Thematic Initiative have been identified (see diagram below). Under each of these sub-themes a number of specific NRN joint actions have been established and are now actively working.

More information on these sub-themes and the NRN joint actions associated can be found in the Rural Entrepreneurship Gateway. The Gateway provides speedy access to information on a wide range of issues connected to rural entrepreneurship.