Lithuanian Rural Network

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The Lithuanian Rural Network's main activities are informing, networking, innovating and inducing. Their specific task for the current programming period is to implement the EU Baltic Sea Strategy on bioeconomy.

Contacts

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
Gedimino av. 19,
LT-01103 Vilnius, Lithuania
Lithuania
Telephone number: 
+370 5 2391274
Email address: 
Contact persons: 
Jurgita Pugačiauskaitė-Butrimienė
(Manager)
+370 5 2398464
Mantas Blinstrubas
(Coordinator)
+370 5 2391274

Links

NSU operation

Objectives

The Lithuanian NRN specified one main objective.
Further specific objectives were defined to achieve the main objective.
To improve the quality of implementation of the RDP.
To inform the general public and the potential beneficiaries of the RDP implementation, agriculture, forestry and rural development policies.
Promote participation in rural development in order to have more actively involved stakeholders in agriculture, forestry and rural development processes and the implementation of the RDP.
Provide support to EIP operational groups, publish information about their activities, and promote innovation in agriculture, food production, forestry and rural areas.
Implement the EU Baltic Sea Strategy on "bio-economy".
Provide assistance and training to LAGs.

Membership

Who are the members?
In order to ensure a smooth transition between programming periods, the members of the 2007-2013 NRN received an electronic survey to confirm their intention to continue in the NRN for the 2014-2020 period.
Up to 31 May 2016 there are 330 registered members in the Lithuanian NRN:
More than 62% (207 members) classified themselves as ‘forming part of a rural community’.
There are 41 members from national organisations: state institutions and organisations; other institutions and organisations involved in the implementation of the programme, rural development, agricultural, forestry and food sectors; bodies representing civil society, including environmental partners and NGOs;
60 members are from regional organisations: LAGs, municipal institutions and organisations;
20 members from institutions of science and education sectors;
2 members from advisory bodies.
How to become a member?
Membership is open to any public legal bodies, who are either involved in RPD implementation or other rural development and agricultural policy.
Membership is formalised through an application process. 
How to get involved?
Members of the network can take part in permanent and temporal thematic working groups (including LEADER, EIP, Organic Farming, Forest Sector, Less Favoured Areas). The thematic working groups aim to solve issues related to rural development policy and the Programme, and to make proposals regarding their initiatives.
Members are also actively involved in communication activities (see below).

NSU & RDP management

The NSU and the Managing Authority
The NRN secretarial functions are delegated to the Managing Authority. All network activities are supervised by the Secretariat.
The NSU and the Monitoring Committee
The Monitoring Committee (MC) members are involved in the NRN meetings and working groups, and can always submit proposals for the creation of temporary working groups. 
The NSU gives publicity to the RDP MC protocols and meetings.
The MC feeds-back to the NRN information or analysis needs (in terms of studies, research or trainings) when identified. 

Governance

The NRN Coordination Group
The Network Coordination Group gives proposals on rural development policy-making and development; submits proposals to the NSU to ensure an effective operation of the NRN; and generates innovative ideas. 
The Work Programme for 2014-2020 and annual action plans are developed, established and reviewed by the Coordination Group. 
The Coordination Group has 46 members of a broad and balanced representation of different sectors and of all NRN members.
Members include umbrella organisations, LAG network, FLAG network, Rural Communities Association, Farmers’ Union, Young Farmers Union, Organic Agriculture Association, MoA , NGO’s, science institutions, Lithuanian Ministry of Environment and other competent regional, local, urban and public authorities (total 46 representatives).

Working Groups
When necessary, members of the Network, the Network Coordination Group or the NSU may initiate a temporary or special network working group for a specific task or certain rural development or RDP implementation issues (e.g. RDP evaluation; rural youth business promotion; innovation and research in rural areas; environmental protection, community promotion, etc.).

On  the 28th of September the Lithuanian NRN action programme was approved by Steering  Committee 

Financial resources

Budget (€)
Total NRN public funds: 4 633 920
Out of which national co-financing: 695 088
Out of which EAFRD: 3 938 832