Down to Earth featured at Interreg Europe online workshop

Daniel Alexandru, representative of our regional partner Meteo Romania, was invited as a speaker to the Interreg Europe online workshop "Enhancing the Benefits of Urban-Rural Linkages”, which took place on November 14, 2024.

The event discussions evolved around the benefits of enhanced urban-rural cooperation, including sustainable land use, improved public services, and effective natural resource management. Participants had the opportunity to hear about good practices and activities that European regions and municipalities have implemented to strengthen collaboration and promote integrated territorial development.

The event was structured in two sessions: 

• Session I - Territorial development and integration  

• Session II - Wellbeing and Sustainable Development

During the second session, Wellbeing and Sustainable Development, Mr. Daniel Alexandru (PP04 – National Meteorological Administration representative) gave an overview of the Down to Earth project and consortium, and focused on the Romanian Good Practice “Support for the installation of young farmers”. The purpose of the GP is the installation for the first time of young farmers as managers of an agricultural holding, to encourage young families to stay in the rural areas and help develop its competitiveness and the formation of professional partnerships.

The GP aims to: 

• Improve management, increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and support the modernization process and compliance with the requirements for environmental protection, hygiene and animal welfare and safety at work; 

• Create the possibility for young resident farmers, with a minimum of basic knowledge, to be installed as heads/leaders of the agricultural holding; 

• Encourage rural youth and families to settle in rural areas, which will create a positive effect on the overall national economy.

The funds allocated through “Support for the installation of young farmers” in Romania had a positive impact on encouraging young farmers to set up on an agricultural holding. 14.008 young farmers were funded, demonstrating the interest in this initiative. Of the total beneficiaries, 4.000 were women.

Expanding the GP to other countries offers an effective way to fight rural abandonment, stimulate the agricultural sector, and support environmental sustainability, while also addressing issues like youth unemployment and climate change adaptation. However, successful implementation requires careful adaptation to local contexts and challenges.

The Romanian GP was well received among the participants, and Mr. Alexandru had the opportunity to present another Romanian Down to Earth GP “Investments in strengthening the holdings of young established farmers and newly established farmers”. The latter is a complementary measure for “Support for the installation of young farmers”, to capitalize the young farmers’ efforts to accomplish the sustainability and benefits gained from the above-mentioned program. Under this initiative, funding will be provided for investments in primary agricultural production, storage facilities and on-farm processing of agricultural products, aiming to increase the added value of their own primary agricultural products.

During this online event, the participants had the opportunity to engage with innovative strategies and contribute to creating cohesive, functional areas that benefit all citizens. Other areas of urban-rural linkages promotion presented by the event participants were mobility, governance, agro-food chains, social structures, urban planning, and food.

The workshop was a success, having approximately 80 participants from different Interreg Europe countries, representants of local, regional, national authorities, NGOs, private sector, and other institutions.