News

Empowering smart rural communities

A ‘Smart Village’ is something to aspire to, rather than a measure or a method, highlighted the latest meeting of the dedicated ENRD Thematic Group (TG) held on 4 October 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.

It its second year, the TG will explore ways of designing strategies to empower rural communities in different contexts. Participants concluded that policies should be inclusive and flexible to account for varying national and regional circumstances while avoiding additional layers and structures.

For more information, explore the main ENRD outputs on the topic of ‘Smart Villages'.

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
09/10/2018

Call for pictures and quotes on rural networking

The ENRD Contact Point kindly invites you to share your beautiful images and inspiring quotes and help us celebrate 10 years of rural networking in spring 2019!

In a special publication, we intend to illustrate rural networking in action through the eyes and voices of those who will lead networks forward in the future.

The photos should capture your perception of topics such as rural people and employment, rural diversity and environment, food, and the spirit of LEADER/CLLD.

To be of good print quality, the photos must be 3 MB or larger and we would need to know who holds the copyright. Share your pictures and words at editor@enrd.eu by 5 November – and spread the word!

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
26/09/2018

Maximising mobility and accessibility of rural services

The MAMBA project (October 2017 – September 2020) is working to improve rural mobility and service delivery through the implementation of nine pilot actions, identification of existing good practice and involvement of local users in developing sustainable solutions.

The project is funded under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme and includes 15 partners from six countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Finland and Sweden.

Source:
  • European stakeholders
Publication date: 
25/09/2018

Upcoming funding opportunities under Horizon 2020

Find your way through the upcoming Horizon 2020 calls for proposals under the ‘Rural Renaissance’ and ‘Sustainable Food Security’ themes – read EIP-AGRI’s brochure on funding opportunities in 2019.

With these funding opportunities, falling under the 2018-2020 work programme, the EU is looking to invest approximately €1 billion in sustainable resource management and smarter, greener and more circular rural economies.

Source:
  • EU institutions
Publication date: 
25/09/2018

Awards for quality land management 2018-2019

Apply and get recognition for your land management practice through two competitions – the Land and Soil Management Award and Anders Wall Award – run annually by the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO). The application deadline for both is 31 December 2018.

The competitions recognise and showcase practices which help to achieve the EU's soil protection goals and have contributed to the rural environment within the EU.

Source:
  • European stakeholders
Publication date: 
25/09/2018

Investing in Romanian farmers and rural entrepreneurs

A financing agreement between the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the European Investment Fund (EIF) will channel over € 150 million to around 1 300 Romanian farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

The agreement will enable investment in agricultural activities, processing and marketing of agricultural products and diversification into non-agricultural activities. This risk-sharing loan will be useful in a context where risks linked to agricultural activities are high, affecting interest rate levels and collaterals required for a loan.

The agreement will be managed by the EIF, under the national Rural Development Programme (RDP).

Source:
  • EU institutions
Publication date: 
24/09/2018

Smart Villages video available in 22 languages

Watch and share the ENRD ’Smart Villages’ video, now subtitled in 22 EU languages! The video illustrates how rural communities, local action and digitisation can improve basic services in rural areas.

The ENRD thematic work on the topic continues with a focus on collecting and developing practical orientations for using all the policy tools available to help ‘Smart Villages’ emerge and grow. The next meeting of the dedicated Thematic Group (TG) will take place on 4 October 2018.

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
24/09/2018

Networking to mainstream the bioeconomy

The 12th meeting of the National Rural Networks (NRNs) – 17-18 September 2018 - Tallinn, Estonia – explored the success factors and transferability of rural development projects which are working to develop efficient bioeconomy, renewable energy and circular economy practices.

The event explored the potential involvement of NRN representatives in the newly launched ENRD thematic work on ‘Mainstreaming the Bioeconomy’, as well as ways of exchanging knowledge and good practice around the topic.

Participants also examined possibilities for taking collective action to enhance ENRD online tools intended to assist NRNs with their main objectives and tasks. Finally, they exchanged ideas on how to effectively communicate the value of rural networking at a dedicated Conference in spring 2019.

Source:
  • ENRD Contact Point
Publication date: 
21/09/2018

New funding for youth solidarity actions

The European Commission has published a call for proposals under the European Solidarity Corps to fund volunteering activities, traineeships and jobs, and solidarity projects intended for young people.

The call has a budget of over € 44 million and its deadlines fall between 16 October 2018 and 18 February 2019, depending on the type of activity. Find out more.

The European Solidarity Corps is an EU initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe.

Source:
  • EU institutions
Publication date: 
19/09/2018

The Smartest Village in Finland

Finland's Smartest Village competition, run by the Finnish Rural Network (Maaseutu.FI), has seen a high level of involvement with 32 contestants from all over the country expressing an interest in becoming more vital, active and innovative.

Participating villages will be offered guidance, ideas, peer support, and networking opportunities over the next year and a half, culminating in the selection of the winning village at the end of 2019. The competition seeks not only to identify, but also to assist the progress of villages working to develop accessible and high-quality services in areas such as healthcare, education, energy, mobility, and local food.

Source:
  • National stakeholders
Publication date: 
17/09/2018

Pages