EU Rural Development Policy and its role for

EU Rural Development Policy and its role for development of rural areas and agriculture Snezhana Blagoeva EU High-Level Adviser in the field of Rural Development and Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry This project is funded by the European Union

What is the role of EU Rural development policy? To provide instruments (money, structure, legislation) targeted at improving living conditions, job opportunities and incomes in rural areas. This project is funded by the European Union

Improve the competitiveness of agriculture Innovations, exchange of knowledge Training, advisory services This project is funded by the European Union Improve access to markets New machinery

Job creation Special support for young farmers Grants for young entrepreneurs in rural areas Diversification of economic activities – processing, services, rural tourism This project is funded by the European Union

Preservation of natural resources – soil, water, etc. Climate-resilient measures Organic farming Protection of cultural heritage, local traditions and crafts This project is funded by the European Union

Villages – better place to live Local services (health, education, water supply, internet) Rural infrastructure Schools Kindergartens Cultural places This project is funded by the European Union

Local rural communities’ development LEADER approach Partnership between the public, private and civil society sectors Based on Local Development Strategies Improve the quality of life and economic development of the communities This project is funded by the European Union

Agriculture and Rural Development are the two sides of the same coin Rural areas provide for agriculture: • Workers • Infrastructure • Business services Agriculture is crucial for: Jobs and income creation in rural areas Management of eco-systems, protection of biodiversity and rural landscape Provides raw material for: food and feed processing industry trade and tourism Agricultural land is the basic asset of Rural areas This project is funded by the European Union

Why Rural Development is identified as a separate policy? Rural regions cover 91% of the EU territory (92% in Moldova) Natural resources, highly valued landscapes, and cultural heritage to be preserved 24% of EU population live in rural areas (55% in Moldova) Lower per capita income compared to non-rural areas Accelerated decline of population Rural areas are the territories for agricultural production This project is funded by the European Union Food security Creation of jobs, including in sectors other than agriculture (rural tourism, etc. )

This project is funded by the European Union

Thank you for your attention! snezhana. blagoeva@eu-advisers. md This project is funded by the European Union