The Swedish Rural Network creates an arena/venue for mutual learning and cooperation to contribute to a sustainable development in Swedish rural and coastal areas.
The main highlights are:
The activities performed by the Swedish Rural Network are:
Contacts
NSU operation
Objectives are described in the action plan for 2014-2020 in line with the mandatory NRN objectives.
Increase stakeholders participation in the implementation of rural development and maritime - and fisheries development.
Improve the quality of the rural development programme, the maritime and fisheries program and the program for community-led local development.
Inform the broader public and potential beneficiaries on rural development and on maritime - and fisheries policies.
Promote innovation, mainly in agriculture, horticulture and in reindeer husbandry through EIP-AGRI initiatives, but also widely used in forestry and rural areas, and in the maritime and fisheries sector.
The Rural Network is a platform to gather and engage rural actors
We are a membership based network and the members are representing various organisations and authorities which are important for the development of the activities and companies based in rural and coastal areas.
Who can join the network?
We welcome all organisations and authorities working with, or interested in, rural development issues at a national level. Private persons and businesses working for profits cannot be members, but their organisations can. Added to that all LAGs and FLAGs are also members, though they do not operate at a national level.
How to become a member?
To be a member the organisation has to apply by using an application form available at the website describing their fields of interests and competences, and also the level of involvement they foresee:
active member willing to take part in thematic working groups and other activities
passive member attending meetings and receiving information.
The application is checked by the NSU, who then presents it to the Steering Committee with the additional information found about the applicant. The Steering Committee decides according to the rules if the applicant can be accepted or cannot. Sometimes additional information is requested by the Committee in order to be able to make a decision. There is no membership fee.
There is one national NSU, which is established within the MA:
The NSU facilitates the learning and cooperation among the member organisations participating in the network activities;
Administrators of the NSU coordinate events and conferences.
Communication officers of the NSU work with the different channels of communication, also supporting the thematic working groups in implementing their communication plans.
Coordinators act as secretaries to the thematic working groups and the sub networks, as well as give technical service to get the activities running. The network support unit is led by a manager.
The NSU and the Managing Authority
The Managing Authority has a chairmanship in the NRN Steering Committee.
The staff of the NSU are employed by the MA.
All costs for the NRN are approved by the manager of the EAFRD and EMMF programme units at the MA
The NSU and the Monitoring Committee
There are NSU representatives in the three Monitoring Committees (MC):
The EARDF MC,
The EMFF MC
The MC for the CLLD programme funded jointly by ERF and ESF
Steering Committee
Elected and chaired by the Board of Agriculture (MA), which has the task to secure the functioning of the rural network.
Consists of 15 representatives from different key actors
Discusses, sets priorities and approves the network action plan based on the expressed needs from the members
Monitors the delivery of the networks activities.
CLLD Coordination Group
Innovation Network
Supported by five thematic innovation advisors (20% employment) and one coordinator (full-time)
Thematic Groups
Group members can receive payment for their working hours at meetings and other gatherings of the thematic working group.
Actions agreed in the working group and approved by the Steering Committee are funded by the NRN budget; however, the activities are implemented in cooperation between all the members of the working group.
Thematic group regularly reports to the Steering Committee (including outputs & results)
These activities are not regarded as separate projects but as a part of the working plan for the group.
Currently 6 thematic working groups are running
Sub-network for rural development officers in municipalities and regions
Part of the ENRD
Exchange experience & foster cooperation
Network is often represented by member organisations
Baltic Sea NRNs’ meetings (twice a year)
+1 explanatory photo
Budget
Total NRN public funds: 70.000.000 Skr
Out of which national co-financing: 42.000.000 Skr
Out of which EAFRD:
28.000.000 Skr
2014: 4.800.000 Skr
2015:9.300.000 Skr
2016:12.200.000 Skr
2017:10.500.000 Skr
2018:10.500.000 Skr
2019:10.500.000 Skr
2020:10.500.000 Skr
2021:1.700.000 Skr