NRN INFORMATION

The Spanish Network Support Unit

The Spanish National Rural Network (NRN) was set up following its approval on 17 July 2008. The Spanish NRN was established to strengthen links, disseminate experiences and act as a common cooperation ground for all actors involved in sustainable rural development in Spain.

The Spanish Network Support Unit (NSU) operates within the Managing Authority (MA), the Directorate-General of Rural Development and Forest Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The MA chairs the network, while the NSU is responsible for the functioning of the network and the implementation of its work plan.

The network has three main strategic objectives:

• To improve the implementation of the Spanish RDPs throughout the entire rural territory.
• To increase the development capacity of rural territories and promote the bottom-up approach.
• To promote knowledge on the rural environment.

Network Participants

The network is composed of actors from a wide spectrum of sectors, notably, public administration, universities, federations, social partners, professional associations, other rural networks and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). All these organisations are active in the network and contribute to different activities and events organised by the Spanish NRN.

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

NRN Activities

In response to the identified problems of Spanish rural areas, as defined in the national RDP, the Spanish NRN focuses on six main topics: mountains; transhumance; agro-systems of high natural value (HNV); economic and social development; good and best practices; and territorial cohesion. The NRN addresses its three main strategic objectives, within many other activities, by organising meetings, providing technical assistance, supporting a solid network of public and private organisations and by diffusing experiences and knowledge about rural development.

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 ]