Final catalogue 'Good Practices of the National Rural Network 2014-2022'

The objective of the good practice (GP) catalogue is to collect and analyse a series of exemplary cases in order to understand how and to what extent the National Rural Network (NRN) programme’s action has been effective and how the material and ‘immaterial’ activities promoted have enriched the ‘know-how’ and autonomy.

The approach used is qualitative, with the methodology based on analysing project documentation and conducting in-depth interviews.

Five criteria were considered in the selection of the GPs: 1) contribution to information and communication on rural development; 2) partnership involvement; 3) transparency and visibility of the policy; 4) sustainability and transferability; and 5) replicability and relevance.

With regard to the NRN's capacity to implement system actions, the analysis highlights several initiatives that can be attributed to system actions: research, knowledge transfer and process and product innovation initiatives, as well as the development of the knowledge system and the implementation of coordinated and shared methodologies for the consolidation of sources, databases and scientific and statistical knowledge at regional and national level. The NRN succeeded in providing a common response in a highly differentiated context in terms of regional competencies and the administrative organisation of the Managing Authorities (MAs).

Regarding the human capital driver, the NRN has established physical and virtual venues for knowledge sharing by providing methods and tools for skill development. Several initiatives have contributed to the cultural and professional growth of NRN users/targets (especially Managing Authorities, administrative staff and technicians), with a focus on knowledge sharing. The implementation of projects with a greater scientific vocation ‘produces’ knowledge. It should also be emphasised that the entire production of the NRN (research volumes, articles, software, databases, detailed statistical analyses, e-learning courses, etc.) is available, accessible and usable free of charge by anyone.

Concerning stakeholder involvement, the NRN offers a concrete possibility of bringing together partnerships, institutions, interest groups, citizens, students and farmers in one place, thereby bringing to the attention of a wide audience the points of interest and criticalities observed by each. The NRN has taken on the role of facilitator (for the ministry of agriculture) by creating ‘agile’ modes of confrontation and dialogue on concrete issues and interests for administrations and the economic fabric.

The NRN's action enables the creation, consolidation and extension of networks of relations between subjects operating in the same field, as well as the establishment of sub-networks of an institutional and technical nature. At the same time, it enables the consolidation of the network for the dissemination of information between the productive, academic, associative and institutional worlds, creating solid synergies with the regional MAs. Among the numerous networks generated are the network of RDP MAs, the LAG network and the network of rural development evaluators.