National Networks: what are they working on?
From LEADER to generational renewal, from AKIS to communications: here is what keeps the National Networks busy – and how the EU CAP Network is supporting them in their daily work.
In the lead-up to the 6th meeting of the National Networks (NNs), jointly organised by the EU CAP Network and the Bulgarian NN in Razlog, all the NNs shared information on their current and planned thematic work and how they engage their stakeholders in their related activities.
Having a better understanding of how NNs and National Support Units (NUSs) operate can support future exchanges of experience and foster mutual learning among them. Read on for an overview of the key topics the NNs are working on, or planning to work on, and how the EU CAP Network's thematic work is helping to give those conversations a Europe-wide dimension.
> Find the complete information in the framing presentation ‘National Networks mapping: Thematic work’
Key topics – an overview
Nearly all NNs—26 out of 28—are working on LEADER and rural development, for example, by offering training and capacity-building activities to LAGs (Belgium-Wallonia, Hungary) or fostering cooperation with and between Local Action Groups (Denmark).
> Explore the LEADER Directory and LEADER Cooperation Offers
The second most popular topic is EIP-AGRI and AKIS (23 NNs), including the promotion of innovation (Belgium-Flanders, Cyprus) and better efficiency and complementarity between AKIS members (Greece).
> Find inspiration in our good practice database
Agricultural topics are tackled by 19 NNs, for example, through events on eco-schemes (Spain) or information campaigns on the CAP Strategic Plan (Czechia). Indeed, communication is also an important topic (18 NNs): activities include the Food and Rurality podcast and a special magazine in France, and activities by the Maltese NN to promote the CAP Strategic Plan interventions.
> How to address the economic vulnerability of farming?
Other relevant and widely-tackled topics include youth and generational renewal (16 NNs), both in agriculture and in rural areas more widely. The Bulgarian NN, for example, is fostering the inclusion of young people in LAGs and in local development processes, while Flanders and the Netherlands focus on young farmers. Portugal will host the next NN Youth Cluster meeting (we will tell you more in one of the next newsletters – stay tuned).
> Discover how Gen Z is leading generational renewal in farming
Environmental topics are high on the agenda of 15 NNs, with topics including the new nitrogen regulation (Denmark), Green Architecture (Croatia) and environmental schemes (Italy), agroforestry (Slovakia) and climate and environment (Finland).
> What are Member States doing to implement the CAP's Green Architecture?
NNs mainly select the topics of their thematic work through stakeholder consultation and tackle them through a variety of formats, ranging from publications to podcasts and from in-person meetings to webinars.
Coming soon...
At the 6th NN meeting, the Networks also shared other examples of activities, including initiatives led by the Latvian NN to support the design of National Regional Partnership Plans in the next programming period, the Portuguese NN’s work on EIP-AGRI and AKIS, and the Bulgarian NN’s activities on rural development and LEADER.
We will look at some of these in detail in the next editions of the EU CAP Network newsletter and the LEADER newsletter: make sure you are subscribed and keep an eye on our social media channels (@EUCAPNetwork) for timely updates!