Joint NRN Activities
Introduction
The National Rural Networks from each Member State regularly participate in meetings and events organised at European level to share experiences and information. Increasingly the NRNs also participate in geographic and thematic clusters to develop activities, promote greater cooperation and promote technical exchange and dialogue between networks. More information on specific activities can be found by clicking on the links below:
ENRD NRN forums
These forums are held every three months involving all NRNs at various locations around Europe, often hosted by an individual NRN. The forums provide an opportunity to report on progress with specific individual andjoint NRN activities, to exchange experiences and information. Read more.
NRN thematic initiatives
NRN thematic initiatives bring together NRNs which express common interest in specific areas of Rural Development Policy and Programme implementation. The main aim of such initiatives are to share knowledge and relevant experience of programme implementation amongst network participants. Topics are chosen that have a European dimension and can be of interest to a wider audience of stakeholders within the ENRD. Representatives of NRNs and MS experts exchange information and meet in workshops to develop common work plans and activities with the support and guidance of the ENRD Contact point. Current NRN thematic initiatives include:
NRN Social Farming Thematic Initiative
The NRN Social farming thematic initiative aims to improve the implementation of social farming projects supported through the RDPs measures. Read more.
NRN Forestry Thematic Initiative
The NRN Forestry thematic initiative aims to improve the implementation for the RDP measures that are directly or indirectly supporting the forestry sector in the context of the European Forestry Strategy and its Action Plan. Read more.
NRN Rural Entrepreneurship Thematic Initiative
The NRN Rural Entrepreneurship Thematic initiative aims to identify and promote viable strategies and actions to respond to economic change in rural areas. Read more.
NRN Network Monitoring Initiative
The capacity to monitor networking NRN activities and impacts on final beneficiaries is a critical part of enhancing the effectiveness of National Rural Networks and improving the implementation of EAFRD funded Rural Development Programmes in all EU Member States. Further to an initial discussion between NRNs, it is intended to develop, pilot and propose a joint approach to the assessment of networking. Read more.
NRN Relevant Experience Pilot Initiative
The NRN Relevant Experience initiative launched in January 2010, aims to pilot a Project Information and Knowledge Sharing Exchange (PIKSE) in partnership with a number of National Rural Networks (NRNs). The initiative is intended to collect, collate and disseminate a selected number of relevant examples of projects aiming to contribute to the overall ENRD dissemination of relevant and useful RD practices/ideas and to raise awareness of the use of EAFRD/EAGGF funds to a broader public. Read more.
Other NRN joint initiatives and forums
The ENRD Contact Point also participates as an observer at meetings of other thematic initiatives being undertaken jointly by several NRNs (other than NRN thematic initiatives on social farming, forestry policy, rural entrepreneurship), in order to disseminate results and facilitate discussion among other ENRD stakeholders. Future possible topics may include social inclusion e.g. gender, youth and rural development, employability, rural heritage. Other areas are anticipated to be identified in the coming months in collaboration with the NRNs.
