Agricultural and Rural Inspiration
Awards 2024:
Empowering young people
#ARIAwards24 are now open for submissions!
The competition
This second edition of the Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards (ARIA) is searching for the greenest, smartest, most socially inclusive, innovative and resilient Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) projects implemented at the local level. The new and important theme of ARIA 2024 is ‘Empowering young people’, reflecting the National Networks’ priorities to promote youth empowerment.
This year’s competition will continue to celebrate European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and/or European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) funded projects and promote food security, environmental resilience and the socio-economic fabric of rural areas. In addition, there will be a new prize this year for projects that focus on promoting gender equality.
Smart & competitive agriculture
CAP-funded projects that contribute to a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring long-term food security.
Environmental protection
CAP-funded projects that strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity, tackle climate change, demonstrate sustainability and/or contribute to the green recovery.
Socio-economic fabric of rural areas
CAP-funded projects that demonstrate their contribution to strengthening the economic resilience of rural Europe, innovatively address social aspects, demonstrate a sustainable approach to advancing the benefits of digitalisation in farming and for rural communities, contribute to the inclusiveness and resilience of rural society, and/or support rural entrepreneurs and businesses in an innovative way.
Rural youth
CAP-funded projects that spotlight young people (under 40 years old), support the development of rural skills, help revitalise rural areas and develop sustainable and high-quality rural jobs accessible to young people.
Shortlisted projects will also be recognised by two further awards:
The ‘Popular Vote’ award
The ‘Popular Vote’ award will be decided via a public online voting system.
The ‘Gender Equality’ award
The ‘Gender Equality’ award will spotlight projects that achieve gender equality. All shortlisted projects that actively include women in their activities will be eligible for the award. The award will be decided by the jury.
Why is it important to participate?
ARIA recognises inspiring co-funded CAP projects and the commitment and hard work of the people who developed and implemented them.
- Visibility All shortlisted projects will receive dedicated promotion on our website and social media channels. Non-shortlisted projects will be published in the Good Practice section of our website and will be promoted via our social media channels.
- Networking The Awards Ceremony serves as a dynamic platform for connecting with other inspiring projects. But this opportunity extends beyond the event, by fostering collaboration, idea exchange and the potential for future synergies.
- Recognition Being acknowledged by ARIA adds prestige to your achievements and showcases your project as an example of agricultural and rural development.
- Positive results By showcasing the positive results of your project, you contribute to a growing repository of knowledge and inspiration that can catalyse change in European rural areas.
Take the first step towards becoming shortlisted or crowned ARIA winner in this edition. Be part of ARIA by applying now!
How to apply?
Applications can be submitted only through National Networks. You should contact your Network to inform them about your project and interest in participating in ARIA. Keep in mind that each National Network may have a distinct deadline for submitting projects, so make sure to apply on time.
You can find guidelines about the process, objectives of the competition, categories, award and eligibility criteria in the guidelines and application form.
Guidelines for entry submission and application form
(DOCX – 665.63 KB)
Check below for more information on previous editions of the awards as well as a set of communication resources. Please use the hashtag #ARIAwards24 to follow updates on the competition on social media. For any questions, please contact us at aria@eucapnetwork.eu
Resources
Guidelines for entry submission and application form
(DOCX – 665.63 KB)