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ENRD: STORY OF THE MONTH - Nordic Baltic Rural Networks - Tackle Common Rural Development Objectives

Allikas: EN RD NEWS 12. oktoober 2011. a

A seminar on "Common Rural Development Measures for the Baltic Sea Region" was held in Helsinki, on September 28-29, 2011. The event was hosted by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Finnish Rural Network. A The objective of the conference was to find synergies and value added on cooperation between the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) and Member State Rural Development Programmes (RDPs). The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was adopted by the European Commission, in June 2009 (further information here) and has given the Nordic-Baltic Networks an increasingly important strategic influence. The EUSBSR aims to address the urgent environmental problems of the Baltic Sea region, through an integrated strategy and so the meeting in Helsinki focused on expanding regional initiatives serving this purpose in the different Baltic States. Three flagship initiatives of the Action Plan in the EU Strategy for the Baltic region were highlighted: 1. "Baltic Compass" is an initiative which promotes sustainable agricultural practices in the region, in such a way that assures the production of high quality food for its 90 million inhabitants, while simultaneously preserving the vulnerable Baltic Sea ecosystem. Click here for more information 2. "Baltic Manure" is an initiative to enhance the perception of manure as a source of energy and as a fertiliser rather than merely as a waste product. The initiative identifies business opportunities and fosters renewable energy use in the region, as well as reducing environmental load from agriculture to the Baltic Sea. For more information, click here. 3. "Baltic Deal" brings together farmers and farming advisory services to improve agri-environmental practices and measures. The aim is to reduce nutrient losses from farms, so as to foster sustainable agriculture and maintain production and competitiveness. For more information, click here. By recognising potential opportunities for cohesion, as well as partnerships between initiatives in the Baltic Member States, the seminar also led to discussions on future transnational cooperation (TNC) projects. In fact, the convergence of Member State networks and the enhancement of regional strategies and cooperation may also be relevant to National Rural Networks (NRNs) across Europe. The possibility of forming network clusters in other regions will be further explored at the next NRN meeting in The Hague, on 10-11 November.