NRN INFORMATION

The Irish National Rural Network

The objective of Ireland’s National Rural Network (NRN) is to assist the implementation of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) and promote synergies across the axes and measures. The Irish NRN has been fully operational since December 2008.

The research and development unit of the Tipperary Institute was awarded the contract of managing and delivering the Rural Development Support Unit activities of the NRN in Ireland. The support unit delivers network services under the auspices of the Managing Authority (MA), in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This builds on its competences in the development and application of technology in networking and communication; in accessing, compiling and analysing information; as well as generating reports and information updates.

The network is governed by a Coordinating Committee, which acts as the Board and includes representatives from the MA, the Paying Agency and 23 NRN members. This Committee is chaired by the Director of the RDSU.

The overall objective of the NRN is to assist the efficient and effective implementation of the RDP and, more specifically: to promote synergies across the axes and measures of the RDP; to provide accurate, comprehensive, accessible and timely programme performance information, provide opportunities for the various actors in the RDP to meet and interact and finally, to support Local Action Groups (LAGs) and other rural stakeholders. This incorporates a strong focus on identifying and disseminating best practice.

Network Participants

Membership is open to any organisation with a direct interest in agriculture and rural development in Ireland and to those involved in delivering measures under the RDP.

Read more about the organisational structure of the Network [PDF ]

NRN Activities

The Irish NRN’s action plan builds activities around allocated themes, which include events, publications, technical support, tracking indicators and cooperation. Planned events include major rural development conferences and seminars based on strategic issues, which are held annually, along with professional development seminars for the staff of the LAGs. The support unit produces a number of publications presenting qualitative information regarding all four RDP axes. General information, referral services and specific technical support to those delivering the RDP are available through the network helpdesk. Analysis and the presentation of monitoring indicators are another element of the RDP which the NRN is involved with, in terms of evaluations and the development of best practices

Read more about the main Priorities and Activities of the Network [PDF ]

Activities with other Networks/Countries

• Contributed to the Relevant Experience Pilot initiative

The Network in 2014-2020 programming period

See details in the ‘NRN Mapping Report – NRNs in Transition’ (2014) [PDF ]