Some ingredients for successful rural development Koen De Rijck Consultant on HNV farmland WWF-Danube Carpathian Programme

Rural context People leave rural areas at alarming ratePeople leave rural areas at alarming rate Abandonment is a key threat to High Nature Value farmlandsAbandonment is a key threat to High Nature Value farmlands –Scrub encroachment on 21% of semi-natural grasslands in Bulgaria

Programmes: SAPARD, RDP, AEM, Axis 2Programmes: SAPARD, RDP, AEM, Axis 2 Natura 2000Natura 2000 Emphasis an transposition of EU policyEmphasis an transposition of EU policy Gap between institutions and reality on the groundGap between institutions and reality on the ground Efforts till now

Model projects Arnika project in Apuseni mountainsArnika project in Apuseni mountains MaramuresMaramures Local food guide in CarpathiansLocal food guide in Carpathians Payment for Environmental Services in Russenski LomPayment for Environmental Services in Russenski Lom

What comes out? Need to be IN the communitiesNeed to be IN the communities Permanent “face” / focal pointPermanent “face” / focal point Long termLong term Include farmers’ aspirationsInclude farmers’ aspirations –Quality of life –Employment, income –Pride, recognition

Farmers’ demands Give me economical reward Allow me to get social status/respect and personal satisfaction Minimize rules and regulations, or make them more clear Make rural life attractive Make farming attractive Make HNV farming attractive *Work in diversified economy* → Development approach *Adapt to world market* → Production approach *Don’t dare to damage anything* → Conservation approach

Farmers’ demands Different approaches, but farmers think about the whole box!Different approaches, but farmers think about the whole box! How to reach the farmer?How to reach the farmer? –Money is universal language > Financial aspect –Show him/her he/she is somebody > Societal aspect

Future Local strategy to reach our goalsLocal strategy to reach our goals –GOs, advisory services –NGOs –Farmers organisations Conservation starts in farmers’ mindsConservation starts in farmers’ minds Intensive work!Intensive work! Only realistic way to deliver results?!Only realistic way to deliver results?!