Jean-Michel Courades, DG AGRI Rural Development Networking and Cooperation 2007-2013.

Jean-Michel Courades, DG AGRI

Rural Development Networking and Cooperation 2007-2013

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Why network?Improving the quality of policy through following actions : Sharing experience (positive and negative) Spreading good practice Information and training of beneficiaries Creates synergies Drawing lessons for future policy Building co-operation projects under Leader

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Networking in 2007-13 Novelty : a wide scope covering all aspects related

to RD at Community level, including Leader and involving all stakeholders

Legal base: Technical assistance - Council Reg (EC) No 1698/2005

Networking structures:– MS level: national rural network– EU level: European Network for Rural

Development

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Strong interaction between European and national networks Collection and dissemination of data National networks can provide expertise at

EU level EU network can identify networking best

practices Support to transnational cooperation

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National Rural Network To bring together and support the organisations and

administrations active in rural development

Roles include:

– identifying and sharing good practice

– organising exchanges of experience and know-how

– preparation of training programmes for Leader groups in the process of setting-up

– technical assistance for inter-territorial and transnational co-operation activities by Leader groups

– Participation in networking at EU level

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European Rural Development Network Tasks

– Analysis : Collecting, analysing and disseminating information on RD measures;

– Collecting, disseminating and consolidating at Community level good rural development practice;

– Information : Providing information on developments in rural areas in the EU and 3rd countries;

– Meeting points : Organise meetings and seminars on RD at Community level;

– Expert networks : Setting up and running expert networks to facilitate exchange of expertise and support implementation and evaluation of RD policy;

– Technical support : Supporting the national networks and transnational co-operation initiatives.

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European Rural Development Network structures

Consultation/advice

Management/decision

Thematic Working Group 1

Thematic Working Group 2

Thematic Working Group 3

Contact Point Non-permanent experts

Thematic e-networks

Thematic Working Group 4

Leader Sub-Committee

DG AGRI

Rural Development Network Coordinating

Committee

Moderation

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Cooperationbetween rural areas Inter-territorial cooperation Transnational cooperation

– Within EU

– With rural territories in third countries

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… Take advantage of similarities (geographical

characteristic, specific production, cultural asset, historical context)

take advantage of complementarities (geographical assets, natural complementarities, management of complementary know-how)

reach critical masses (new markets, economy of scale…)

bring a tangible added value to the areas & actors involved

The objectives of cooperation

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Why are local action groupscooperating ?

to get further granting because other areas do it / for the image of the

LAG (prestige and visibility) to reinforce existing contacts (internal to the LAG

or with external partners) to acquire knowledge, learn from the partners:

transfer and exchange of ideas and good practices

to broaden their horizons and open up minds to Europe

to create a working basis for the future

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Eligibility rules and conditionsfor cooperation Eligible costs : project development and

implementation of a joint action including coordination costs for all areas

Role of Lead LAG At least one partner selected under the

Leader Axis

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Cooperation procedures

Can be integrated in local development strategy

– Advantages : coherent with the bottom up approach; quicker procedure since local action groups select the projects (Art.62.4); cooperation is coherent with the strategy

If not integrated in local strategy, authorization by the managing authorities (submission possible until 31.12.2013)

– Advantages : better control on the respect of requirements (e.g. presence of a common action)

Coordination mechanism at EU level