CAP implementation: hot topics and next steps
- CAP Implementation
- CAP Strategic Plans
- Networking
- Agricultural Production
- Climate and Climate Change
Topics of recent work on CAP implementation included water resilience, the importance of cooperation, and opportunities for simplification. Here’s a look at what we've learned and what's coming.
Important and urgent topics related to the CAP implementation recently tackled by the EU CAP Network include water resilience, cooperation, and simplification. Thematic Groups, events and publications have allowed a diversity of stakeholders to discuss current experiences, successful approaches, and ideas for improvements.
Networking, knowledge exchange, and peer learning are key features of our activities – they also emerge as essential ingredients for better understanding and informing the development and implementation of the policy.
Here is a recap of the key outcomes from recent activities and useful resources – and a look at what comes next.
Improving water resilience in rural areas through the CAP
Good water (and land) management is key to enabling rural areas to withstand climate extremes better, combining environmental and economic resilience. Ultimately, water resilience is not ‘just’ an environmental concern – it is an investment in the future of farming and rural areas.
A recent Thematic Group (TG) allowed some 40 CAP stakeholders to examine how to best utilise the CAP’s potential to improve water resilience in rural areas and promote more systemic, transformative changes in water and land management.
Through formal and informal meetings, the TG highlighted several possible approaches to reducing water demand and increasing the efficiency of water use. These include changing to less water-intensive crops, increasing water reuse, and investing in nature-based solutions to improve infiltration and water retention in the landscape.
The discussions provided a variety of possible actions as well as a comprehensive overview of challenges, collected in the event reports of the first and second TG meetings (a final output compiling inspiring examples is still in the making and will be shared soon on the TG page and through our newsletter).
Key takeaways from the TG work include the acknowledgement that action is needed to urgently bring about change, and that the solution lies in systemic action, with more joined-up, collaborative, landscape-scale and longer-term approaches. Only then can rural Europe move from climate risk to resilience.
Unlocking the potential of cooperation
Co-design, cooperation and networking are emerging as essential tools to develop sustainable and effective solutions to challenges affecting agriculture and rural areas.
The Thematic Group on Unlocking the Potential of Cooperation looked at cooperation opportunities offered by the CAP that can help increase business competitiveness, resilience, and growth, particularly for small farmers. The TG also reflected on the effectiveness of current CAP interventions/frameworks for supporting cooperation.
Real-life examples shared at the first TG meeting showed that cooperation can increase business competitiveness, resilience, and growth, particularly for small farms (which are more prone to economic vulnerability).
The second TG meeting highlighted experiences of using the CAP toolbox to foster cooperation, and key areas of action which could help enable farmers with limited resources to engage in cooperation activities – ranging from financing to leadership training and advice.
A final output for this TG will also be available soon and shared on the TG page and via the monthly newsletter.
Simpler, faster delivery
Stakeholders continue to call for simpler, faster and more predictable delivery models for the implementation of the current CAP. Simplification opportunities enable Member States to simplify processes and governance related to the CAP without compromising on the delivery of the policy objectives.
A recent Policy Insights article explored the importance of a coordinated approach for simplification - within and between Member States, as well as with the Commission and diverse stakeholders - to ensure that simpler processes are effective, and digital and financial tools are used at their best.
A workshop focused on Simplified Cost Options (SCOs) highlighted the scope for wider and better use of SCOs as a key tool for streamlining processes and reducing the administrative burden for applicants across the CAP.
What's next?
Our new Thematic Groups on Sustainable and Competitive Livestock Systems and Farm Diversification have recently kicked off and will continue in the coming months. A third TG, starting mid-March, will look at the role of the CAP to enable a Just Transition in the Agri-Food System.
All our TGs provide valuable opportunities for networking and exchanges, exploring policy implementation across the CAP and involving all types of stakeholders from across Member States.
On a larger scale, the seminar Ensuring the Right to Stay for Young Farmers and Rural Youth will soon bring CAP stakeholders together to discuss how to turn the EU Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture into concrete actions, fostering dialogue and partnerships for rural youth and young farmers.
Follow our upcoming events through our social media channels (@EUCAPNetwork) and receive timely updates via our monthly newsletter and publications.
