News

Rural Inspiration Awards: Public vote open!

The popular vote for the Rural Inspiration Awards is now open! Vote for your favourite rural development project from the overall list of 25 nominees. 

The Rural Inspiration Awards recognise inspiring initiatives funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) that demonstrate the contribution of Rural Development Policy towards a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive rural Europe.

In addition to the popular vote, the awards will recognise inspiring projects in five thematic categories:

  • improving the competitiveness of rural areas;
  • environment and climate action;
  • rural revitalisation;
  • social inclusion; and
  • LEADER/CLLD.

An expert jury will select one winning project in each thematic category from the overall list of 25 nominees. The nominees have been shortlisted by the ENRD Contact Point from a total of 176 entries proposed by the National Rural Network support units.

The winners will be awarded during a ceremony in Brussels on 11 April 2019, in the framework of ‘networX – Inspiring Rural Europe’, the event building on 10 years of rural networking. 

*The eligibility of the nominees from the UK after 29 March 2019 is subject to review depending on the conclusion of the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU.

 

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
10/03/2019

networX - Draft agenda now available!

On 11-12 April, over 400 rural development enthusiasts will gather in Brussels for 'networX', the event building on ten years of rural development networking. The draft agenda is now available online.

An interactive format will ensure plenty of space and time for informal discussions, inspiring conversations and sharing of experiences. 

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
08/03/2019

Rural Connections available in six languages

The latest edition of the ENRD networking magazine ‘Rural Connections’ is now available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish on the ENRD website.

This issue explores the topic of communications, uncovering the latest thinking from rural networkers while profiling some great examples of communication using digital channels, on-farm knowledge exchange and marketing initiatives to support Rural Development policy implementation.

Subscribe to receive free paper copies of future editions in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
06/03/2019

Invaluable supports in climate action from agriculture and forestry

The Central Union of Agricultural and Forest Producers of Finland (MTK) has established its own Climate Programme to balance emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in agriculture and forestry in Finland.

While the programme - available in English - has a strongly grounded scientific approach, it is the product of a participatory consultation among MTKs’ members throughout the country, reflecting farmers’ commitment to climate action.

Source:
  • European stakeholders
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

Towards a Common Food Policy for the EU

A new publication – produced by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) – maps out a new governance architecture for sustainable food systems and puts forward a concrete vision for its achievement. 

The report makes the case for a Common Food Policy for the EU, bringing together the various sectoral policies that affect food production, processing, distribution, and consumption, and re-focusing all actions on the transition to sustainability.  

The publication draws on a three-year participatory research process involving over 400 farmers, food entrepreneurs, civil society activists, scientists and policy-makers. 

Source:
  • European stakeholders
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

Opportunities for farm diversification in the circular bioeconomy

Browse this collection of inspiring project examples including business models farmers and foresters could adopt to diversify their activities and income making use of new bio-based products and value chains within the circular bioeconomy.  

This publication was produced for the EIP-AGRI event  “Opportunities for farm diversification in the circular bioeconomy” (6-7 February 2019 – Vilnius, Lithuania) which brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss ways of taking advantage of circular economy markets. 

Source:
  • EIP-AGRI
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

Digitising rural areas: new case studies

Browse through a set of case studies exploring various strategies and initiatives related to digitisation of rural areas in France, Germany, Spain and across Cornwall and the rural UK. 

The case studies overview aspects such as: the development and implementation of ITC strategic plans; actions to enhance broadband infrastructure and digital hubs; digital training; e-health innovation, and also feature examples of cooperation in this area. 

Follow the ENRD work on Smart Villages, browse through the online portal and join the Facebook community. 

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

Supporting young farmers and rural entrepreneurs

A recent ENRD workshop (22 February 2019 – Athlone, Ireland) explored various national schemes and practices supporting young farmers and new entrants to agriculture and overviewed the relevant elements of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) legislative proposals. 

The event looked into support tools for facilitating access to land – both under the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) and other funding sources – and exchanged examples of successful youth entrepreneurship from both young farmers and other rural entrepreneurs. This event forms part of the ENRD thematic work on Generational Renewal. 

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

Environmental objectives of the future CAP

Explore in detail the environmental elements of the European Commission’s legislative proposals for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including their related simplification aspects. 

Read the Commission’s new brochure on this topic, overviewing elements such as eco-schemes, rural development tools, as well as the role of knowledge, innovation and digitisation in delivering environmental and climate-related public goods. Find out more about the system of enhanced conditionality and browse through three hypothetical examples of how an EU Member State might decide to use elements of the future green architecture in drawing up its CAP Strategic Plan. 

Source:
  • EU institutions
Publication date: 
26/02/2019

13th NRN Meeting in Athlone, Ireland

National Rural Networks gathered for the 13th NRN meeting (21 February, Athlone - Ireland) exploring ways of reinforcing stakeholder engagement and enhancing collaboration by effectively addressing the needs of network members and reaching out to new actors.

The meeting – co-organised by the Irish Rural Network support unit – included discussions on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Smart Villages and Generational Renewal. Network representatives also discussed their involvement in the upcoming ENRD event ‘networX’ (11-12 April 2019 – Brussels, Belgium).

The meeting was organised back-to-back with the ENRD Workshop on Generational Renewal, taking place on 22 February.

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
25/02/2019

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