Following the success of the first workshop in July, a second informational meeting was held on the creation of supra-regional Operational Groups for innovation in agricultural productivity and sustainability. With 250 participants, it confirmed the interest of stakeholders in the agri-food, forestry, and scientific sectors in combining experience and innovation. This workshop, organized by the National Rural Network in collaboration with the support unit of the General Directorate of Rural Development and Forestry Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food, and Environment (MAPAMA), was held on November 10 at the Higher Center for Scientific Research (CSIC) in Madrid and was broadcast live online.

The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-agri) is the main instrument for promoting and accelerating innovation in the agri-food and forestry sectors. To ensure its operation, Operational Groups (OGs) are created. These groups will be comprised of groups of stakeholders with diverse profiles, whose objective is to find innovative solutions to agricultural and forestry problems.

Members of these groups may apply for assistance in creating a GO. During the group's creation period, members must define, design, and draft the innovative project. All groups will designate a representative from among their members who will be considered the recipient of the material payment of the assistance and will act as an intermediary with the Administration.

The objective of this workshop was to explain the most important aspects included in Royal Decree 253/2016, which establishes the regulatory bases for granting aid for the creation of supra-regional regional governments within the framework of the National Rural Development Program, as well as the key issues regarding the first call for these grants.

Support for the creation of the groups falls under the 2014-2020 National Rural Development Program (PNDR), and €2 million has been allocated for this first round. Beneficiaries will receive the amount of the grant awarded once they submit their project, as identifying the final product is crucial to determining the grant intensity.

At the informational workshop, Isabel Bombal, Advisory Member of the General Directorate of Rural Development and Forestry Policy of MAPAMA, explained the most important concepts related to access to this line of subsidies and presented all the information regarding the regulatory bases for granting concessions for the creation of supra-regional GOs according to the aforementioned Royal Decree.
The initial budget allocated to the implementation of the sub-measures within the framework of the PNDR for the period 2014-2020, which include both objectives: the creation of supra-regional GOs in a first phase (16.1 of cooperation) and the development of innovative projects, is 47 million euros, 53% of which is co-financed by the EAFRD.
Isabel Bombal indicated that 10% of this budget will be allocated to support and assist in the creation of the groups and 90% to finance the execution of the selected innovative projects. Throughout her presentation, Isabel Bombal explained various concepts, such as the role of the innovation agent, which she defined as a natural or legal person hired by the beneficiaries on an optional basis, who will provide support to the group in relation to its theme.

Next up was Carolina Gutiérrez, Head of the Department of Rural Development and Forestry Policy at MAPAMA, who provided information on the application process, the required documentation, and other key aspects related to this type of assistance.

The workshop concluded with a session devoted to participants' questions, which were answered by the speakers, with support from a representative of the State Attorney's Office at the MAPAMA (National Institute of Statistics and Census) to clarify the legal issues surrounding these grants.

More information at the link

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