NRN INFORMATION

The Slovenian Rural Network

The mission of the Slovenian National Rural Network (NRN) is to ensure appropriate representation of rural interests and effective information exchange on rural development policy and activities. The Slovenian NRN has been fully operational since April 2008.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF) is responsible for supervising the operation and implementation of the NRN and its Action Plan. The Network Support Unit (NSU) is based within the MAFF’s department of Rural Development and Structural Policy.

The NSU directly supports the Technical Assistance functions of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), mainly in relation to the public dissemination of programme information. This reflects the network’s role in promoting, informing and animating partners for enhanced and efficient implementation of RDP measures.

The Slovenian NRN’s goals are being achieved through the advancement of inter-territorial cooperation, networking and the sharing of good practices. In addition, the network supports and provides feedback on the implementation of rural development policy and encourages increased transparency of rural development policy and measures.

Network Participants

The Slovenian NRN connects Slovenia’s rural development stakeholders, including Ministries, the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia, the Community of Slovene Municipalities, the Association of Slovene Municipalities, the Rural Development Network, 12 regional development agencies, the Association of Slovenian Farm Women and the Association of Slovenian Rural Youth.

At a local level, this includes 210 municipalities, 58 administrative units, Local Action Groups (LAGs), companies, associations, rural development corporations and local people.

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

NRN Activities

The work programme of the Slovenian NRN is set out in an Action Plan. The activities specified therein arehave been set against a range of quantitative and qualitative targets. They are reviewed and updated annually through an open process which involves the consultation of stakeholders.

The Slovenian NRN’s main priorities are:

communication with an approach characterised by a “two-way information flow”;
cooperation focusing on promoting networking and good practices exchange; and
provision of training and workshops in order to increase human capacity of rural stakeholders.

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