Contact Point for the European Network for Rural Development - Year 5

The project provided a Contact Point to support the ‘European Network for Rural Development’ (ENRD). Services supported DG Agriculture and Rural Development to promote networking between member state National Rural Networks (NRNs), Managing Authorities (MAs) and organizations active in the field of rural development. The main aim of the ENRD was to improve the performance of Rural Development Programs at national and regional level in all 27 member states. Main activities during year 5 of the contract included:

• Support to the ENRD Coordination Committees/DG AGRI with analytical, administrative & technical services
• Support for ENRD EU wide Communications Strategy implementation 
• Support for National Rural Networks (NRNs) in all member states 

Services Provided:

• Support to DG AGRI/ENRD in RD policy analysis, screening, thematic initiatives and related analytical tasks;
• Collection, analysis and dissemination of knowledge and information on EU rural development program implementation (current and future programming periods) and relevant experience examples;
• Organization of EU level Coordination Committee and Leader Sub-Committee meetings and seminars; 
• Establishment and analytical support to Thematic Working Groups, Leader Focus Groups and other thematic initiatives at EU level;
• Development of expert networks to facilitate exchange of expertise and support  implementation and evaluation of rural development policies and programs; 
• Supporting the development of National Rural Networks, Local Action Groups (LAGs) and Transnational Cooperation initiatives within and between member states;
• Development of innovative communication  and knowledge sharing tools to improve rural development practitioners (incl. Local action groups) strategic planning, programming and project implementation;
• Collection, collation and dissemination of new Cooperation Project opportunities, initiated by LAGs in both new and old member states to promote new Transnational Cooperation Projects.