Potential of rural and regional development projects at European level

Subject: Potential of rural and regional development projects at European level

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) is an initiative co-financed by the Commission whose objective is to improve the implementation of rural and regional development programmes in the Member States of the Union. The work of this Network not only allows the exchange of good practices but is also in line with the Commission’s cohesion policy objectives.

The projects financed by this Network include projects that enhance the provision of services and interurban mobility. Moreover, this collaboration has already borne fruit, as noted in the ENRD’s June 2018 publication, in terms both of employment and the quality of life of citizens.

However, the current structure of this Network, while indicating which projects have been successful at local level, fails to show whether they are replicated at European level, impacting on employment and the quality of life in other Member States of the European Union.

1) Is the Commission carrying out actions in relation to the impact of these projects beyond the Member State of origin?

2) In this context, does it plan to take measures to increase their impact?

3) Does it also propose to create a project implementation strategy?

Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the European Commission

(25 October 2018)

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) is financed under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), as an instrument of the common agricultural policy (CAP). Its objectives (1) include, among others, increasing stakeholder involvement and improving the implementation of EU rural development programmes.

The Network does not directly finance individual projects, nor does it have a direct role regarding regional programmes or cohesion policy, although there is cooperation with cohesion policy for example regarding Community-led local development /Leader (2).

Its remit encompasses sharing experience and examples of use of EU funds in projects that contribute to the development of rural areas, regardless of their financing, with a specific focus on EAFRD.

As regards the three specific questions raised by the Honourable Member:

1. One of the central tasks of the ENRD is to promote the collection and exchange of information and practices on rural development at EU-level, via project databases, events, publications etc. This facilitates transfer of know-how beyond the Member State of origin, inspiring project examples and promoting multiplier effects.

2. Possibilities to further improve rural networking activities and their impact are assessed regularly, including during the preparation of the legal proposals for the CAP post 2020.

3. The network tasks do not include development of implementation strategies for individual projects, ENRD activities do however provide support the implementation of different broad categories of EAFRD funded projects, via exchanges with all Member States and stakeholders concerned.

⋅1∙ As set out in Article 52 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD),

OJ L 347, 20.12.2013

⋅2∙ Leader: ‘Liaison Entre Actions pour le Développement de l’Economie Rurale’ — Links between the rural economy and development actions.