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The Netherlands:

Implementation of axis 3 in practice

Erik Mulleneers, Policy Coordinator Rural Development Programme,Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Netherlands

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Contents

1. Basic information, facts and figures

2. Goals and content of axis 3 in the Dutch RDP

3. Implementation of axis 3

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Basic facts and figures (1):The Netherlands:

12 provinces

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Basic facts and figures (1):The Netherlands:

• 12 provinces

• Population; total 16.3 mln; • average population density of 480/km2, varying per province

from 183 – 1229 persons/km2; highest concentrations in the West and South.

• Average income is one of the highest in the EU; higher in western and central provinces; lower in northern and southern provinces.

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• Population rural areas (incl. towns up to 30.000 inhabitants):

about 6 mln.

• Peri-urban character of most rural areas in NL: need of the

multifunctional use of rural areas.

• Economic importance of agriculture diminishes;

other economic functions (e.g. tourism, recreation) become more

important

Basics (2): Developments in rural areas in NL

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• Population rural areas (incl. towns up to 30.000 inhabitants):

about 6 mln.

• Peri-urban character of most rural areas in NL: need of the

multifunctional use of rural areas.

• Economic importance of agriculture diminishes;

other economic functions (e.g. tourism, recreation) become more

important

Basics (2): Developments in rural areas in NL

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Basics (3): Main concerns in rural areas

1. ‘Urban pressure’:• Beauty and variety of (agricultural) landscapes• Environment (soil, water, air) and biodiversity• Opportunities for recreation

2. Socio-economic development:• Competitiveness agricultural sector • Regional/local socio-economic problems: employment, housing,

basic facilities

Challenge: simultaneously- stimulate economic activity (incl. agriculture), - preserve quality of the environment and landscapes,- and enhance the quality of life in rural areas.

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• Public policy making concerning rural areas is decentralised: the 12 provinces as the ‘directors’ of policy in rural areas.

• Provincial policies for rural areas in multi-annual provincial programmes 2007-2013, partly based on commitments (towards central government)

• Financing of provincial policies in the programmes: - autonomous provincial funds;- transferred, earmarked funds from central government;- financing in the RDP (= only a very limited source of funding!).

Basics (4): Public policy in rural areas in NL

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• 1 Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (POP2); 24 measures in four axes.

• ‘POP2’: co-production of central government and the provinces

• Managing Authority (MA): Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

• Paying Agency (PA): Government Service for Land and Water Management (DLG)

• An important role of the provinces in the RDP: Leading in drawing up the RDP for axes 3, 4 and partly 1; implementing almost 90% of the RDP-budget (axes 2, 3, 4 and

partly 1).

Basics (5): the NL Rural Development Programme

180

100

200

300

400

500

600

axis 1 axis 2 axis 3 axis 4

EAFRD

NL public (incl.'top ups')

Private(estimate)

Basics (6): Breakdown total RDP-budget 2007-13, incl. estimates for private investments. Total: € 2.2 bln (EAFRD-contribution = €486.5 mln)

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Objectives and content axis 3 (1): Objectives

• Diversifying the rural economy: stimulating new economic

activities

• Support the multifunctional use of rural areas, and by doing

so: increase welfare and quality of life of rural and urban

population!

• Strengthen and use the intrinsic value of rural areas: natural

and cultural values, openness of the landscape, stillness.

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Objectives and content axis 3 (2): context and approach

Implementing axis 3 in the context of the provincial seven year

programmes:• Area focussed: problems of specific areas are starting point;• Long term approach;• ‘Integral’ approach: problems and solutions in their context;• In cooperation with partners:

* other governments (water boards, municipalities)

* Non-governmental organisations

* Local action groups

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- Most measures of axis 3 regulation 1698/2005 provides, have been chosen in the RDP.

- Because of:the regional differences in NL, which ask for different measures

in different parts of the country;the differences in provincial objectives and policies chosen.

- Every province implements those measures which help best solve the problems in that province and attain the provincial goals.

Objectives and content axis 3 (3): measures

220

20

40

60

80

100

311 312 313 321 322 323 341

EAFRD

total publicmoney

private(estimate)

Objectives and content axis 3 (4): money: breakdown budget axis 3

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- RDP contains provisions about demarcation axis 3 and SF. Basic rule: project financing from two funds is forbidden.

- Actions in RDP and Operational Programme SF differ in general quite fundamentally. In general RDP-projects in axis 3: rather small scale projects; large scale projects in SF.

- For those situations where overlap is possible: detailed provisions per measure in the RDP to prevent double financing

Objectives and content axis 3 (5): Demarcation with Structural Funds

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Implementation of axis 3 (1):EU-conformity

• Implementation through provincial regulations based on the

provincial multi-annual programmes.

Provincial regulations approved by Management Authority.

• Provincial decisions on individual subsidies examined

beforehand by Paying Agency.

If not EU-conform: positive decision not possible!

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Implementation of axis 3 (2): Division of roles

Action Actor• Project initiation Applicant• Project appraisal Province• Check EU conformity PA• Decision Province*• Project execution Applicant• Progress monitoring Province• Payments PA• Monitoring/evaluation

results MA/Monitoring Committee (MC)• Control PA Technical Service

* Approved projects are registered in the administrative system of the PA

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Implementation of axis 3 (3): National coordination

- General Coordination: regular meetings with all parties involved in RDP (MA, central government, provinces, PA, Coordinating Body)

- Working group on interpretations (representatives MA, provinces, PA)

- Detailed agreements on funding (EAFRD, co-financing and top ups) per province, per measureannually monitoring and adjustments.

- Judgments of MA and MC

- Help Desk of the ‘Regiebureau POP’

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Implementation of axis 3 (4): perspective of the user/applicant:a short ‘manual’

1. Read: multi-annual programme and regulation of your

province. Contact your province for more information if you

are not sure.

2. Fill in application form and send it to your province.

3. Wait for decision while Province and PA check whether the

application for the project plan fulfils the criteria, is EU-

conform (and check if there is enough money).

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4. If positive decision: execute the project plan in line with the

decision!

5. Send in evidence of project results and correct project

realisation.

6. Wait for the outcome of check by province and Paying Agency

7. If correct: you get your money from the PA!

If not: give additional information.

8. Be prepared for administrative and on-the-spot checks; keep

relevant information about your project and maintain the

investment.

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Thank you for your attention!