Common Network Statistics report 2021

National Rural Network (NRN) achievements are assessed in a recently-published EU CAP Network report featuring the Common Network Statistics (CNS) for 2021. The report shows that NRNs involved more than 350 000 people in events during a year which saw digital networking continue to grow in importance for connecting rural Europe in greener ways.

This latest CNS report provides an insight into the quantitative outputs of NRNs in the first year of the transitional programming period when NRNs were significantly involved in preparing for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Tackling the uniquely unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic restrictions were also major influences in 2021.

CNS data viewed through such lenses can be used to help raise awareness about the potential of national networking for the new CAP. Virtual and offline achievements of NRNs highlight their flexibility to adapt, sustain and reinforce knowledge sharing services for rural development stakeholders.

Knowledge development was another NRN achievement, with 859 good practice examples being collected and disseminated in 2021. Priority 6, ‘Social Inclusion and Economic Development’, continued to provide the NRNs’ largest proportion of good practices.

Similar network mapping and updated CNS data will help support implementation for the new national Networks’ wider remit covering the full CAP in the 2023-2027 programming period.