The first ever European Rural Networks Assembly took place in Brussels on 26 January. It brought together nearly 200 delegates representing rural development stakeholder groups to discuss and debate the strategic direction of the two EU rural networks: ENRD and EIP-AGRI.
Themes and challenges on which the ENRD should prioritise work were identified as: improving rural development programme (RDP) management and performance; simplification of RDP funding mechanisms and procedures; demographic challenges; collaboration in diversifying rural activity; and monitoring and evaluation.
European Commissioner Phil Hogan addressed the Assembly, highlighting the important role of rural networks in supporting improved implementation of RDPs to help meet Europe’s key agriculture and rural development challenges.
Kersti Kaljulaid, of the European Court of Auditors, highlighted the role that rural networks can play to support improved spending of rural development funds to reduce the error rate in rural development spending and achieve better results.
