15 de March de 2019
The conference "Synergies between the LIFE Programme and the EAFRD Rural Development Programs" brought together more than 120 attendees. The National Rural Network organized this conference in collaboration with the Network of Environmental Authorities, with the aim of exploring synergies and possibilities for coordination between two European funds: the LIFE Fund, dedicated to the environment, and the EAFRD, dedicated to rural development.
March 15, 2019
The 2014-2020 Spanish Association Agreement identifies coordination between the actions of the European Funds as one of the measures to ensure their effective implementation . The LIFE Programme covers a wide range of topics, thus presenting potential synergies with the different European Structural and Investment Funds . Specifically, there are many LIFE projects developed in rural areas that have a direct or indirect impact on agricultural activity and forestry , and there are also those that directly impact their natural heritage . Therefore, the actions undertaken in LIFE projects offer possibilities for coordination with measures financed by the EAFRD Fund .
Throughout the day, organized by the Management Unit of the National Rural Network ( Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - MAPA ), at the proposal of the Secretariat of the Network of Environmental Authorities ( Ministry for the Ecological Transition - MITECO ), the possibilities of coordination and synergistic use between the LIFE Program and the Rural Development Programs have been explored. FEADER to promote the improvement of the effectiveness of both types of programs .
During her speech, Isabel Bombal , Director General of Rural Development, Innovation and Forestry Policy at MAPA , stressed that we are at a key moment to act on the future CAP , identifying joint actions between the different funds and thus being able to cover all environmental needs .
Sven Kallen, from Transfer Consultancy and winner of the LIFE 2018 “Best of the Best” Project, has presented the LIFE Project “ Crops for better soil ”, which proposes a viable alternative for resuming agricultural activity in dryland areas by applying sustainable systems through organic farming .
The Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the Regional Government of Andalusia also participated to explain their experience in launching and implementing projects and initiatives (investment and subsidies) co-financed with European funds (EAFRD and ERDF) and the LIFE Programme.
The LIFE Integrated project "NADAPTA" was presented, its main objective being to increase resilience to climate change in Navarre . The synergy between LIFE and various EIP-Agri Operational Group projects, such as CUVrEN-OLIVAR and Olivares Vivos , was also analyzed.
The interest generated by the event, as well as the discussions held during it, highlight the need to increase efforts to ensure the coordinated use of funds, simplify procedures for beneficiaries to access them, and work together to achieve the EU's environmental objectives, which cut across all policies.