NRN INFORMATION

The Italian National Rural Network

The main goal of the Italian NRN is to coordinate and support the implementation of Italy’s 21 regional Rural Development Programmes (RDPs). The Italian NRN has been fully operational since April 2007.

It is established within the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali - MIPAAF), General Directorate, which is the Managing Authority (MA) of the network programme.

The Italian NRN helps to promote a new implementation model for rural development policy, requiring an increased level of integration, participation and innovation.

The main objectives of the NRN are: to strengthen managerial and planning capacities; to improve governance and; disseminate good practices and knowledge. Furthermore, the NRN aims to reinforce the territorial impact of rural development, as well as encourage cooperation through the transnational and inter-territorial aspects of rural development policy.

Network Participants

Membership of the NRN is voluntary with approximately 100 members. These include: representatives from the main organisations and administrations working in the rural development sector at national, regional and local level; Local Action Groups (LAGs) and their networks, as well as other networks active in rural areas at local level; professional organisations, forestry associations, cooperatives; local institutions (local councils, provinces and mountain communities); environmental associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs); chambers of commerce and; associations involved in agribusiness, as well as local development projects.

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

NRN Activity

The main activities of the Italian NRN are: to improve governance by supporting central, regional and local administrations in the implementation of RDPs; to strengthen capacity building, by providing support for enhanced management skills amongst stakeholders engaged in the implementation of the RDPs; to identify and analyse new issues related to agriculture, forestry and rural development; and to disseminate information on the transfer of experience, examples of good practice and innovation.

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

The Network in 2014-2020 programming period

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