’’NATIONAL RURAL NETWORK THEMATIC MEETINGS’’

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Within the scope of the IPARD Program, “National Rural Network Thematic Meetings” were held at The Ankara Hotel between February 13-14, 2020 by Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment of the Directorate General of Agrarian Reform. National Rural Network which was established to ensure more efficient implementation of rural development programs, support the identified goals, enable knowledge and experience sharing between all stakeholders involved in implementation has completed all of its activities successfully so far. Leyla ALMA, Representative of the European Union Delegation to Turkey, Haluk ÇAĞLAR, Head of the Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment Department of the Directorate General for Agrarian Reform, Dr. Muhammed ADAK, Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution and related public institutions, ARDSI, local administrations, universities, research centers, producer organizations, regional development agencies, local government representatives, private sector, farmers, non-governmental organizations, women's associations and cooperatives and LAG representatives under the "LEADER measure" attended the meeting consisting of approximately 115 people. In his opening speech Mr. Haluk ÇAĞLAR, Head of the Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment of the General Directorate of Agricultural Reform;

emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of the national rural network that serves for exchange of information on how Rural Development policies, programs, projects and other related initiatives work in practice and how they can be improved to accomplish more.

"We are Increasing the Efficiency of Rural Development through Thematic Meetings"

“Today, we are holding an important meeting as the Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment of the Directorate General of Agrarian Reform. Good governance in rural development policies and practices during Turkey’s European Union (EU) harmonisation process is an important factor that promotes and facilitates development. The potential beneficiaries have seen the examples of successful projects implemented under the IPARD Program so far and this has increased the interest and confidence in the Program supports in rural areas. Thematic meetings held for rural development with a participatory approach are an important resource in this regard. In this context, activities aim to increase the effectiveness of rural development policies, exchange ideas for better programming, and offer new approaches for rural development based on experience.

Establishing a network platform for sharing knowledge and experience at national and international scale in order to ensure rural development is one of the principles of the National Rural Network structure. It is believed that, in this way, we can reach the areas that the development plans made at the national level are not able to reach and develop more effective development strategies and local actors can take more active roles in the development process.

Rural development is critical for a balanced and sustainable development for all segments of the society. Social goals can only be achieved by acting together and in an organized manner. One of the most important tasks of the national rural network is the thematic work with the participation of relevant stakeholders. 8 thematic areas have been determined by taking into account the working areas of IPARD program and all the activities carried out to date and requirements. The activities which will be conducted today with decision-making representatives will help to make the most accurate and effective decisions regarding our country's rural development efforts.

In his opening speech, Dr. Muhammed ADAK, the President of Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution highlighted the importance of rural development programs.

While improving the living conditions in the rural areas, protection of natural and cultural assets should also be focused on. Achieving such a goal requires a multidimensional development approach, multisectoral public policies and inter-institutional cooperation. In developed countries, rural development means achieving economic, social and physical development with a much more professional and collective approach of public, private and non-governmental organizations. Thus, the public sector eliminates the cost of urban transformation which is put into practice as a treatment of urbanization disease and a limited amount of public resources are utilised to provide a more productive and prosperous life for people.

Plans for the Future…

Following the opening speeches, a presentation was made by the Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment. Information was provided about the activities carried out in the National Rural Network since 2017 and the ongoing and planned activities for 2020;

Subsequently, participants of all thematic working groups carried out activities within the scope of rural development for 1.5 days. Rural tourism, short supply value chain, LEADER, medicinal and aromatic plants, innovation in rural areas, definition of rural areas, rural infrastructure, support for smallholders, rural development supports in thematic studies (ARDSI supports provided by development agencies within the scope of IPARD Program, supports for rural development investments) were explained and assessed by relevant experts. The problems of the sectors and recommendations for solutions were discussed. The potential role of sectors in rural development, thematic group methodology and a roadmap for the National Rural Network and the 2020 action plan recommendations as to how the IPARD Program and other rural development programs should be developed, were identifed.




Republic of Türkiye Ministry Of Agriculture And Forestry
General Directorate of Agricultural Reform
Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment
Eskişehir Road 9. Km, ANKARA/TÜRKİYE
Website: ipard.tarim.gov.tr