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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 2 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 3 Networking in 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 4 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 5 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 6 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 3 rd 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.

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 7 European Rural Development Network structures Consultation/advice Management/decision Thematic Working Group 1 Thematic Working Group 2 Thematic Working Group 3 Contact PointNon-permanent experts Thematic e- networks Thematic Working Group 4 Leader Sub- Committee DG AGRI Rural Development Network Coordinating Committee Moderation

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 8 Cooperation between rural areas Inter-territorial cooperation Transnational cooperation –Within EU –With rural territories in third countries

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 9 … 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 10 Why are local action groups cooperating ? 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 11 Eligibility rules and conditions for 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

OPEN DAYS 2007 – Workshop on Rural Development Policy (11E37) 12 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 ) –Advantages : better control on the respect of requirements (e.g. presence of a common action) Coordination mechanism at EU level