12/07/2018

The National Rural Network (RRN) continues to strengthen its role in rural development initiatives. At the Executive Committee meeting, held at the headquarters of the Directorate General for Rural Development and Forestry Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Annual Action Plan for 2018 was presented. This plan, drawn up in accordance with proposals from Network members, aims to increase the participation of those involved in rural development and to boost the RRN's work as an effective catalyst for national and regional rural development policies .

The Director General of Rural Development and Forestry Policy, Isabel Bombal, chaired the Committee meeting, whose members were greeted by Minister Luis Planas during his visit to the headquarters of the Directorate General of Rural Development and Forestry Policy, following the presentation of the 2018 Forest Fire Fighting Campaign.

At the meeting of the Executive Committee, which is held every six months to improve and streamline decision-making within the NRN, the Annual Action Plan for 2018 was presented . It was drawn up in accordance with the proposals and suggestions of the network members, at a time when the NRN is undergoing a complete process of strategic redefinition to strengthen its form of governance and thus increase the participation of those involved in rural development .

The work programme's proposals include workshops, dissemination work and support for the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) of the Autonomous Communities, and the development of Working Groups , such as the Monitoring of Forestry Measures in the 2014-2020 RDPs; the Working Group on RDPs and the Natura 2000 Network; the Working Group on Forest Pastures and Silvopastoral Systems within the framework of the CAP; and the Working Group on Interterritorial and Transnational LEADER Cooperation, among others, in addition to the Focus Group on Digitalisation and Big Data in the Agri-Food, Forestry and Rural Sectors .

The role of the RRN is fundamental, since rural development policy is at the heart of all the actions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, in particular, issues related to innovation and digitalization of both the agri-food sector and the territory, in order to achieve better living and employment conditions in the territory and also combat the depopulation of rural areas .

The Executive Committee also discussed other issues, such as the NRN's participation in the activities of the European Rural Networks.

The meeting was attended by the new members who will serve on the Executive Committee for the next 12 months, as this governing body is renewed annually.