The Contact Point of the European Network for Rural Development

Summary of 1st Year Draft Work programme

Istv á n Feh ér , Team Leader

Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Basic guidance to preparation of AWP

      Term of References and Contract Close cooperation with DG AGRI in four axes Proactive networking system with NRNs, sharing information Respecting quality and timing for delivering support and a range of services to DG AGRI for running the EN RD Assist in the implementation of rural development policy in supporting the inter-institutional cooperation Exploiting synergies by working closely with the European Evaluation Network for Rural Development 2 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Core functions and tools

 The work-programme is structured around seven service codes and three core tools  For each service code and core tools their are specific methodologies linked to deliverables 3 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

The services of the Contact Point

       Secretariat of ENRD structures + thematic groups Support to transnational cooperation Information exchange and coordination with national networks Promotion and representation Information line (answering questions, mailbox(es), reception of visitors, frequently asked questions) Support for analysis of programmes and monitoring indicators Good practices database 4 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services: Administrative support

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 Administrative support will be provided for:     the coordination committee (2); Leader sub-committee (2); thematic working groups (likely not more than 4); expert working groups (likely not more than 4).

This means: follow-up papers retro-planning; mobilisation of key personnel (including selection of relevant experts according to policy area); translation; invitations; expert papers and content; minutes; evaluation of meetings; 5 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services: Support to transnational cooperation

1.

An inventory of needs and existing guides:      Collect key information from LAGs and other relevant sources at European, regional and local levels, possibly inspired by relevant experience from other Community Initiatives ( eg. Interreg; EQUAL), Innovative actions, Leonardo Classify information according to the different axes Develop a questionnaire to ascertain factual information regarding state of art: existing databases of TNC projects; cooperation guides; contacts; level of expertise/experience in individual countries Involve all the different stakeholders: MA’s; NNUs; LAGs; Nature Parks; Farming Associations; and local development structures Information obtained in a template format + supplemented by discussion groups Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008 6

Services: Support to transnational cooperation 2.

Guides:

   To be based on result of the ‘needs enquiry/inventory’ Resulting in an ‘Integrated European Cooperation Guide’ able to address a wide range of rural stakeholders with different levels of experience (Member States, various stakeholders); Provide a ‘web-based’ application to ensure that the guide is dynamic and can provide links to other sources

Concept Papers

 Drafting of concept papers on specific needs related to mainstreaming of Leader as a horizontal axis:  Specific focus on developments and needs in New Member States 7 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services: Support to transnational cooperation

3.

Proactive follow-up of databases:      Contact Point will contact MAs to compile an initial database of projects under approval (updated regularly) The database forms the basis of ‘Partner Search Tool’; Encourage partners to take a proactive role in using the ‘web-based cooperation platform’ Improve efficiency by direct contact (phone and e-mail); contact during events; via the Newsletter; help in writing ads for posting on website; Continuing monitoring and support of the ‘cooperation platform’ 8 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services: Support to transnational cooperation

4.

Direct support to 50 projects:       Selection of cooperation projects covering all axes; selection criteria developed (agreed with the EC) CP will support the final selection of an external selection committee CP will contact partners of selected project(s) and identify specific needs CP will allocate coaching expertise with relevant language and knowledge CP will monitor projects by a reporting method, and produce a summary report Summary reports will be made public via on-line database Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008 9

Services: Exchange of information and coordination with national rural networks.

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An inventory of needs and on the spot visit:

 The Contact Point will contact NRNs, and survey LAGs (selected), rural organisations to assess information needs;   This enquiry will be supplemented by ‘on the spot’ visits   Strategy paper outlining the information exchange procedure (based on above enquiry), will be presented to DG Agri for approval, before being circulated to the NRNs Regular working meetings (max 8) to provide face to face contact with the NRNs will be organised by the CP Regular reporting to DG Agri 10 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services:

Promotion (including representation).

The Contact Point will support and provide resource in promoting RD policy at Member State level:

   Participation in events: Propose relevant seminars; Preparatory content support: Preparation of standard materials, such as ppt etc; Working with Evaluation network; This means development of: a Calendar of events; a combination of “off the shelf” and customised materials; and a close working relationship with the evaluation network.

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Services:

Reply to requests for information.

   Answering questions on rural development; Reception of visitors; Preparation of FAQ.

This means: development of a logged service to ensure a competent level of reply; providing a reception facility to receive visitors; a web based FAQ based on anticipated, actual and ongoing requests.

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Services:

Mail box(es) and phone facilities

 A central ENRD mailbox will be set up shortly  Phone numbers and (temporary) Email addresses of the permanent ENRD staff will be sent during this week for each managing authorities and national networks 13 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Services: Support to the analysis of RDPs (summary and monitoring indicators).

   Error identification within the monitoring indicators; Exchange of data between the stakeholders; Analysis/summary of programme data.

This means: development of technical solutions for error correction and data exchange; summary of a logged service to ensure a competent level of reply; providing summarised information for specific purposes (Member State files; committees/working groups).

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Services: “good practice examples” of European rural development policy

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Select a set of common selection criteria;

 The Contact Point will inform the NRNs about the activity;   Will produce a working paper with input from thematic experts offering selection criteria for each of the 4 axes and horizontal themes; Consultation process (workshop) with the NRN’s and thematic groups before adoption by the EC;    Develop ongoing consultation processes – either virtual or ‘real’ networking to share information on technical aspects, new themes, etc

Creation of database of “good practice”;

 Agreement of a common structure of datasheets with the NRNs, and uploaded to Good Practice database

Publication of “good practice” datasheets.

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Communication tools :

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Website + thematic exchange facility

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Seminars & conferences

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Publications

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Communication tools: Website + thematic exchange facility

Sections of the website:

              Mail box(es) Frequently asked questions Who's who Events information Member States information Transnational cooperation tools Local Action groups data base Good practice data base Data base for administrative documents Access to a selection of thematic e. network documents Archived Leader websites Official Commission documents Publications Exchange facility for thematic e-networks 17 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Communication tools: Website + thematic exchange facility

 State of Discussion:  Basic structure of the website online by the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009   Introductory pages of all 13 sections in English Basic features of some priority applications (extranet, Thematic exchange facility for e-networks, Subscription Management, Events Calendar) 18 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Communication tools: Seminars and conferences Support to the selection of themes and organisation of thematic seminars and conferences:

 Topics, timing and location;  Providing the necessary retro-planning and content papers;   Supervision and facilitation of all logistical matters carried out by the EC Promotion and communication of events This means: taking into account of the thematic priorities communicated by the EC (including transversal themes such as transnational cooperation); identification of the thematic experts and provision of content papers, support with animation (moderators); working closely with the NRNs (and all other potential groups of participants) to provide a better understanding of their wishes/needs and provide the necessary content input; identification of ad-hoc seminars … 19 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Communication tools: Publications Development of a range of publications to reach a wide European audience, acting as multipliers for relevant regional and national information:

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Electronic Newsletter;

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Rural development periodical;

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Best practice; Thematic publications; Mailing lists.

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Communication tools: Publications

1. Proposed format of first Newsletter

     

English language/later on 5 languages Logo: under preparation Title: Rur@l (?) Structural elements:

 Focus    The four axes Cooperation corner Evaluation network Contributions   Subscription

Production: agreed retro-planning document, which details all steps in Other elements to be discussed:

 Links to videos  Spotlight on a personality Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008 21

Communication tools: Publications

2.

Rural development periodical:

     Propose a main content/structure reflecting the 4 axes of EAFRD policy and thematic priorities; Also note issues arising from the NRN; thematic working groups; New Member States; cooperation; Develop a retro planning document indicating major steps of production; Delivery of first draft for ‘Editorial Committee’ + revisions as required; Readership survey after first year (of 2 periodicals).

This means: proposing generic layouts/formats and structures; taking into account the 4 axes and the thematic priorities communicated by the EC (including transversal themes such as transnational cooperation; contributions by the appropriate thematic experts; making reference to relevant sources of information; translation into the required languages; making use of/updating existing mailing lists, by: contacting NRN’s, offering subscription facility via the newsletter and website (subscription management tool), and updating and cleaning on a regular basis.

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3.

Communication tools: Publications

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Mailing lists:

Initial list drawn up from previous programming period;  Contact; MA’s and NRNs for details of new LAGs, add other ‘new stakeholders’ related to all 4 axes, such as NGOs, Universities, European Institutions;   Include, accession, candidate and third countries; Develop tools related to subscription management and provide continuous update, via websites, newsletters and conference attendees; 23 Coordination Committee Meeting - 01/10/2008

Istvan Feher, Team leader Tel.: +32 2 235 20 23 [email protected]

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