EU CAP Network Assembly meets
A new EU CAP Network Assembly has been set up to provide strategic guidance for networking activities under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the 2023-2027 programming period.
The EU CAP Network Assembly is the main governance body of the EU CAP Network, with its membership covering close to 190 representatives from a broad range of CAP stakeholders. These include CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) national Managing Authorities and Paying Agencies, National CAP Networks, organisations active in the field of agriculture and rural development at the European Union (EU) level, organisations representing regional or local authorities active in agriculture and rural development at the EU level, LEADER Local Action Groups, farm advisory services, and innovation support services linked to European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Operational Groups’ projects and research institutes active in innovation activities linked to EIP Operational Groups.
The first meeting of the Assembly took place on 6 March 2023. It was opened by DG AGRI’s Deputy Director-General Mihail Dumitru, who explained the importance of EU CAP Network support and links between CSPs and Horizon Europe.
Mr Dumitru’s introduction was followed by an update on the implementation phase of CSPs as well as a session dedicated to the EU CAP Network Governance and setting up of its three permanent subgroups (Innovation and knowledge exchange, LEADER and territorial development and CSP implementation).
Other topics on the Assembly agenda included an update on the Long-term vision for rural areas, noting the new Rural Pact Support Office and reviews of recent networking activities under the EU CAP Network - in terms of implementation, innovation and knowledge exchange, evaluation and communication. This was complemented by interactive exercises where Assembly members participated in discussions to help inform networking priorities, at EU and national level.
