The 8^th NRNs’ Meeting (26-28 June 2017 – Jyväskylä Region, Finland) discussed new networking tools and methods to support the implementation of the Cork 2.0 Declaration in Rural Development Programme (RDP) delivery.

The meeting used a methodology called ‘Innovation Camp’ to develop new ideas on the themes of innovation, communications, simplification, and ‘rural proofing’ to take forward the work of the rural networks.

The ideas generated included: fostering and celebrating innovation with an EU-wide Innovation Day; developing rural apps through an interactive game for children; creating a specific Network Support Unit for young people; making certain that NRNs ‘steal’ good ideas from one another; making networks more active on ‘rural proofing’ practices; and putting simplification into action.