National Rural Network 2007/2013 - ITALY

The objectives of the EU rural development policy - also known as the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) - focus on the enhancement of the social and economic cohesion, on the improvement of competitiveness in farming and forestry sectors, and on the amelioration of the environment aiming at landscape conservation and sustainable development. The European Union action in favour of the rural world is governed by Council Regulation no. 1698/2005 and combines national policies implemented by each Member State, in a framework of subsidiarity, additionality of resources, partnership and participation of the various stakeholders.
The Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Mipaaf) has developed a National Strategy Plan (NSP) that is the outcome of consultations, partnerships and negotiations with the major institutional, economic and social actors. It identifies four strategic priorities in line with the Community Strategic Guidelines:

The strategy as defined by the NSP is carried out through 21 Rural Development Programmes (RDP), managed by each Italian Region and Autonomous Province, and through the National Rural Network Programme, which is under Mipaaf direct management. Each RDP consists of 4 Axes, corresponding to the strategic priorities set in the NSP. The total available resources amount to Euro 16,687 billion, of which 8,292 billion are funded by the EU through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developement.