Setting-up the Network
Clarifying some concepts: NSUs, NRNs and Networking
Three closely-related terms – network, network support unit and networking - are used throughout this Tool-kit and it is important to make a clear distinction between them.
Most formal policy networks, including EAFRD-financed National Rural Networks (NRNs), are initiated with the establishment of an identifiable entity which is described as a network support unit (NSU) – although other terms such as secretariat, coordination unit, etc. may also be used.
NSUs are commonly planned, managed and assessed as discrete entities, with clearly-defined aims, objectives, work plans and budgets. In some cases NSUs are even managed as projects with a defined life-cycle. In all cases it must be remembered that the tools, facilities and/or services provided by the NSU are mechanisms for supporting the network.
The network is the web of interactions consisting of ‘nodes’ and ‘linkages’ where:
- the ‘nodes’ are the actors and stakeholders (individuals / organisations) that form the membership of the network, and
- the ‘linkages’ are the connections / relationships that exist between them.
Any network is only a structure that exists to support the process of networking – which can be defined as “…the sharing, exchange or flow of ideas, information, knowledge, practical experience (and sometimes resources) between people and around common interests, or opportunities, to create value”. Of course, “not everything that connects is a network” - since networks are nothing without the process of networking within them!
There are no ‘golden rules’ for building a rural network and the steps taken and rate of progress depend greatly upon national context. Consequently, at the end of the 2007-2013 programme period the NRNs in the EU-27 are at very different stages of development with very different levels of capacity and activity. There are some relatively mature NRNs, which are well advanced with the facilitation of networking processes and are now increasingly concerned, for example, with the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes. There are other NRNs where the establishment of the network support unit has been delayed and the network and associated networking tools are only just being developed.
Based upon existing experience, the generic steps associated with the establishment and functioning of an NRN in the 2007-2013 programming period can be visualised in the following simple diagram:
Some additional thoughts from the Swedish NSU on building a national rural network (NRN) step-by-step can be viewed here: [PDF 
].
Info Box
Advice provided in the original 2007-2013 Technical Fiche for NRNs includes the importance of progressing step-by-step with new networks:
“There is the need for a flexible approach. Putting too much ambition on the rural development network from the beginning might lead to building a system too complex and difficult to implement. This might in turn lead to a failure or the implementation of a minimum set of activities with some participation, but not real involvement by the actors.
Since people who are to be involved in the rural development network do not yet know how to work together, it seems preferable to start slowly, to have smaller groups meet around tangible issues on which people agree (for instance on thematic issues which concern them directly). This could progressively create a habit of working together and the desire to address more sensitive issues.”
National rural networks (NRNs) should aim to engage directly or indirectly those rural actors and stakeholders concerned with the measures implemented under the rural development programme (RDP). Depending upon the focus chosen for network activities, typical stakeholder organisations initially contacted by the network might include:
- Local Action Groups and their informal networks
- Farmers associations or Chambers of agriculture - including young farmer organisations
- Vocational training organisations for agriculture, food and forestry sectors
- Producer groups associations and associations of cooperatives in agriculture and forestry
- Advisory services for agriculture and forestry
- Forestry owner associations
- Food and forestry processing industry associations
- Land management agencies
- Mountain farming organisations
- Agencies and organisations in the Natura 2000 network
- Environmental NGOs
- Relevant technical and scientific institutes
- animal welfare NGOs
- Chambers of trade and industry in rural areas
- Rural tourism organisations
- Cultural heritage organisations
- Regional and national administrations involved in the implementation of the RDP
- Other administrations concerned by rural policies
- National association of rural communes
