2017 Berlin

Rural development Programmes‘ contribution to the development of the bioeconomy in the BSR

Time:     14th June, 10.45 – 12.15
Venue:    Rathenau-Saal

Description:

The workshop is focused to address the role of Rural Development Programmes in enhancing
Bio economy in the BSR. This workshop tries to identify solutions to increase the effectiveness of Rural Development Programmes for the period of 2014-2020 and after. The workshop will attempt to connect common ideas on Rural Development policy and will show how to increase awareness on Bio economy.

Speakers:

• Maret Suuroja – Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (European Commission)
• Merle Saaliste – Head of Rural Development Department, Ministry of Rural Affairs of the Republic of Estonia
• Virginija Kargyte – Aleksandras Stulginskis University (Kaunas, Lithuania), Chair of Coordination Committee at Baltic Forestry, Veterinary and Agricultural University Network
• Mikko Rahtola – agronomist, specialist of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

Moderator:

• Darius Liutikas – Head of Division of Program Evaluation and Supervision, Rural Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania

Organiser(s) & contact details:
Head of Division of Program Evaluation and Supervision
Rural Development Department
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
Darius Liutikas This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    +3705 2398 415

Elaboration:

The Baltic Sea Region has the opportunity to develop circular thinking and a transition to
bio-based societies. The “bioeconomy” offers a holistic approach for such economic, social and environmental sustainable development - in society at large and in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture specifically.
Cooperation activities on bioeconomy took place in the framework of “HA Sustainable Development and Bioeconomy”. The project “EUSBSR Policy area Bioeconomy – Agriculture, forestry and fisheries” has been implemented. This project is instrumental for integrating EUSBSR cooperation efforts within the new EUSBSR Policy Area.

By facilitating discussions on bioeconomy and rural development, the workshop will focus on different possibilities of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs). Combined effects of RDPs are more visible by improving macro-regional cooperation.

Further efforts have to be made to enhance policy coherence, private sector engagement, cooperation with research, technology and innovation partners, dialogue with civil society and awareness raising/communication. How to align the objectives of RDPs and the EUSBSR? How to agree on common implementation measures and to achieve visible results?

This workshop discusses the social, economic and environmental benefits of cooperation in bioeconomy, especially the important question of how to improve coordination in this field. The process has to involve actors from various countries and levels of governance closely following cross-border processes in the Baltic Sea Region.

Important questions:
1)    Bioeconomy as a tool for achieving the goals of the BSR strategy: What roles can and should take RDP’s ?
2)     How to improve existing measures? How to engage stakeholders & decision makers?
 
Each question will be introduced through presentations and followed by interactive discussion between presenters & audience. Active participation of the audience is welcomed!