Event: Ensuring Civil Society Participation in Rural Development 2021-2027, 10 October 2019, 13:00-14:30

The Brussels representation of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), the European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD) and the German LEADER Association (BAG-LAG) are pleased to invite you to a side event to the European Week of Regions and Cities 2019 on

Ensuring Civil Society Participation in Rural Development 2021-2027

10 October 2019, 13.00-14.30

EKD Office, Rue Joseph II 166, 1000 Brussels

A light lunch will be provided from 12.30.

The Common Agricultural Policy will face major reforms within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. Critics fear that the reform will focus on agricultural measures alone and could result in a silent loss of funds reserved for rural development. This would mean that important non-agricultural aspects of rural development, such as social infrastructure and grassroot initiatives, would be marginalised. What does the reform really mean for rural development? And what will be the role of civil society and other players, such as church communities, in the delivery of rural development?

Agenda:

Welcome by Katrin Hatzinger, Head of the EKD Office Brussels

Impulse by Hartmut Berndt, ELARD Council Member, President of German LEADER Association (BAG LAG)

Panel discussion with

MEP, N.N. EPP (tbc)

Sanna Sihvola, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland

Silvia Michelini, Director of Directorate F “Rural Development II”, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission

Pedro Brosei, Adviser to the Portuguese ELARD Presidency

Moderator: Ulrike Truderung, EKD

Please register by 7 October by e-mail to ulrike.truderung@ekd.eu