Seminars and Conferences
Brussels, Belgium - 30-31 March 2009
The European Network for Rural Development organised a seminar entitled: “Capacity building for National Rural Networks: the challenges of National Rural Networks (NRNs) to efficiently support the implementation of EU rural development policy” on the 30-31 March, 2009, in Brussels. Its aim was to contribute to the capacity building of national and regional networks. It also presented a valuable opportunity for those involved in the early stages of establishing an NRN to meet with others across the EU. The main target groups of the seminar were all rural development actors responsible for implementing the EC’s Rural Development policy at all levels; as well as those with responsibilities for the mainstreaming of the Leader method. These included Managing Authorities (Mas); National/ Regional Rural Networks; Representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs); Organisations active in the field of rural development at Community level; and the European Commission.
Brief Summary
The seminar was the launch event of the ENRD, aimed at examining how links can be created between local, regional, national and EU levels – in an inclusive and efficient manner. It was designed both to inform and motivate those involved in these new rural networks: representatives of the National Rural Networks, regional networks, Local Action Groups, EU organizations active in the field of rural development and national administrations. Opening the conference the EC Commissioner Mrs. Mariann Fisher Boel, highlighted the crucial role National Rural Networks (NRN) have to play in supporting the implementation of EU rural development policy. She encouraged all rural stakeholders, and in particular representatives of the beneficiaries of the EU rural development policy, as well as administrations involved in the implementation of the programmes to become involved in these new rural networks. Three workshops were held simultaneously, which addressed fundamental issues, such as: identifying current strategies for NRNs; helping NRNs to develop such strategies in order to facilitate policy integration and reinforce cooperation between the rural development stakeholders; identifying NRN needs and their expectations as regards the ENRD; and developing mutual understanding on how to better coordinate actions and achieve complementarity between networks on EU, national and regional level.
