Evaluation of the impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas

Strengthening the socio-economic fabric of rural areas is a key CAP objective, including generational renewal (GR). This evaluation assessed how the current CAP affects GR in rural Europe, also local development and jobs. It examined Young Farmer (YF) and other CAP measures aiming to attract young people to farm, live and work in rural areas. Methods included literature review, EU survey, interviews and workshops, data analysis using correlation, multicriteria, comparative econometric and CGE modelling, and case studies in seven contrasting Member States (MS). It concluded CAP GR measures have a positive impact on YF numbers, business performance and local employment, varying from very minor to significant according to local context. For Pillar 2 aids, impacts and causes are clear, but it is too early to judge Pillar 1 YF supplements. Aids are most effective and efficient delivered in mixedmeasure packages combining planning, investment, collaboration and advice, and conditional on beneficiary training. Impact is enhanced where institutional and fiscal policies ease access to land and capital. In very marginal areas, aid for rural diversification and services is also vital. The study recommended a more holistic, flexible and strategic approach to GR in the future CAP, also increased MS emphasis upon new entrants, innovation and rural quality of life provision

Study on funding for EU rural areas: Final Report

This study on funding for EU rural areas assesses the role of the CAP 2014-2022 in addressing needs and actions outlined under the EU’s Long-term vision for rural areas (LTVRA) in Europe. This role is considered in the context of Member States’ strategic frameworks, plans or other policies for rural areas. The study also assesses the specific role of the CAP alongside those of other EU funds targeting rural areas (2014-2020), primarily ERDF/CF, ESF and EMFF, and national funds. The study addresses seven evaluation study questions covering three criteria: effectiveness, relevance, and coherence, with most emphasis upon analysis of relevance and coherence. It finds that while the LTVRA covers very diverse needs, they are well targeted by CAP, often through bottom-up approaches and small-scale delivery that reflect regional and local variation in challenges and opportunities. However, targeting needs beyond farming relies on a relatively small number of measures with rather limited funding allocations. In their funding of rural areas, the CAP’s EAFRD and other ESIF demonstrate strong complementarity especially in infrastructure investments (ERDF) and support for social inclusion (ESF) where these funds are used. Nevertheless, there is great variability in how EU funds are used, among the Member States. National policies for rural areas, where ambitious and holistic, can improve the coherence between EU funds in this context; whereas the relevance of CAP funding is evident even where no national rural strategy or strong commitment to rural areas is in place. The study suggests placing further emphasis upon CAP funding beyond farms, also encouraging increased ERDF and ESF investment in meeting rural needs and improving procedures to enable greater synergy and integrated approaches between EU funds, in the futur

Study on funding for EU rural areas: Brochure

The study on funding for EU rural areas examines the contribution of the CAP 2014-2022 in addressing the needs and actions outlined under the Long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas (LTVRA)

Study on the ENRD and the NRNs’ contribution to the implementation of EU rural development policy

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) and National Rural Networks (NRNs) are part of the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy since the 2007- 2013 programming period. The ENRD brings together stakeholders from across the EU and facilitates the exchange between national networks, organisations, and administrations with an interest in EU rural development. The NRNs are mainly established at national level in each Member State and bring together stakeholders involved in Rural Development. The study highlights the causal mechanisms of networks and governance structures that contribute to the implementation of the EU Rural Development policy. The various activities carried out by the ENRD are deemed effective to involve NRNs in networking at EU level although participation is heterogeneous across Member States, notably due to language barriers. Capacity building and knowledge transfers enabled by ENRD activities improved the implementation of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) and policy. The Evaluation Helpdesk’s substantive support to the evaluation of RDPs improved the quality of evaluations but with little use in terms of policy learning. The organisational structure of NRN’s Network Support Units influence their efficiency; a hybrid system where policy coherence is provided by the Managing Authority and outsourcing parts of the activities is among the efficient models. The ENRD activities are coherent and complementary with the activities of the NRNs. The ENRD and the EIPAGRI operated alongside each other with limited complementarity and synergies. Substantial EU added value is provided through stakeholders involvement and the provision of capacity building, in turn contributing to better RDP delivery and generating social capital

Study on funding for EU rural areas: Executive Summary

The study on funding for EU rural areas examines the contribution of the CAP 2014-2022 in addressing the needs and actions outlined under the Long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas (LTVRA). It explores the specific role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) 2014-2022 alongside that of other EU funds targeting rural areas in the 2014-2020 cohesion policy period, primarily ERDF/CF, ESF and EMFF. Moreover, this study provides a forward-looking glance at the CAP 2023-2027 period. The study principally covers the relevance and coherence of funding in addressing rural needs, and draws on studies published of effectiveness to provide key context for this assessment. This is achieved through the responses to seven evaluation study questions (ESQ) covering three evaluation criteria: effectiveness, relevance, and coherence. The European Commission launched the LTVRA in June 2021, aiming to address the challenges faced by rural areas and seize opportunities from which they can benefit. It proposes two main routes to reach the vision’s shared goals: the EU Rural Action Plan (COM(2021) 345 final), a set of actions undertaken by European Commission services, and the Rural Pact, a framework to enable and inspire other levels of governance and stakeholders to cooperate and mobilise to achieve the vision’s goals. The LTVRA was adopted in June 2021; however, many of its identified needs and actions were already anchored in the goals of the CAP 2014-2022

Contribution du programme de développement rural hexagonal (PDRH) à la compétitivité du secteur laitier

L’évaluation du programme de développement rural hexagonal (PDRH)1, réalisée par un consortium piloté par les bureaux d’études Épices et ADE, souligne que le second pilier de la PAC a été largement utilisé pour soutenir la compétitivité de la production laitière française, sur la période 2007-2013. En combinant analyse économétrique et approche qualitative, les auteurs de cette étude montrent que les dispositifs du PDRH mobilisés à cette fin ont eu des impacts positifs mais limités sur la compétitivité du secteur laitier