Today, the European Commission launched the European CAP Network during an event in Brussels gathering more than 300 participants, from the public and private sector. The EU CAP Network aims to optimise the flow of information about agriculture and rural policy within the EU, to support the implementation and evaluation of the CAP Strategic Plans, as well as boosting innovation of the sector.
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), set to start on 1 January 2023, is designed to shape the transition to a sustainable, resilient and modern European agricultural sector. It will continue playing a key role in supporting Europe’s agricultural sector as well as strengthening the efforts of European farmers to tackle climate change and protect the environment, in line with the Commission’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies.
The two existing networks - the European Network for Rural Development, including its Evaluation part, and the Agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) - have merged to become the EU CAP Network. A single network gathering all interested stakeholders and parties will lead to a more efficient exchange of information and good practices, further boosting cooperation and innovation across rural Europe. This newly launched forum is open to everyone with an interest in and commitment to sustainable agriculture, forestry and rural development across the European Union, from farmers and evaluators to Local Action Groups and national CAP networks.
Among other activities, the EU CAP Network will organise thematic group meetings and capacity building workshops, as well as larger seminars for a broad audience. It will provide facts and figures on CAP programming and implementation, and will distribute a monthly newsletter with relevant information about the CAP. An Evaluation Helpdesk will also help the EU CAP Network’s stakeholders better understand how to assess the CAP’s performance and how it could be improved in the future.