Inclusive of amendments of 30 September 2008, of 15 May 2009

16. Technical Assistance Operations

In order to ensure continuity between activities under the current and future Programmes, the preparatory costs, including an ex-ante evaluation, strategic environmental assessment and associated evaluation work for the 2014 – 2020 programming period will also be funded. It is vital that this preparatory work begins in 2012 and 2013 so that it is completed in sufficient time to inform the next programme; as such it is necessary to fund the costs from the current programme. Only expenditure related to activities providing a genuine and direct link between the two programming periods will be eligible.

The purpose of the National Rural Network is to assist the efficient and effective implementation of the Rural Development Programme across all axes and to promote synergies across measures. The network will have regard to the different methods of measure delivery under the Axes.

The indicative budget for the network is €3m and of this €750,000 will be used for the running costs of the network provider. The budget for the implementation of the action plan will be €2.25m, of which €450,000 will be available for the development of a central website and on-line database.

A tender document for the network will be prepared in September 2007 and will issue following consultation with the European Commission.It is scheduled to have the network operational by March 2008.

The network infrastructure will be provided by an external body selected by a public competitive tendering process. The selection process is scheduled for Autumn 2007.

Broad terms of reference will be included in the tender document. The network will build on the success of the current national LEADER network in developing and disseminating best practice across the range of implementing bodies. However, approaches to expanding the networking experience outwards over all 4 Axes will be critical to the final evaluation process. In this context a key function of the network will be to identify, develop and disseminate opportunities for synergies between measures across axes. Aspects targeted should include areas of high nature value and the promotion of environmental protection.

The provider must put in place a dedicated network unit, staffed and resourced, consistent with effective delivery of an approved annual action plan. As the technical core of the network will be primarily web based, a strong ICT capacity must be in place.

The network is expected to include Local Action Groups, Social Partners, Government Departments (including Paying Authority and Managing Authority) and Agencies as well as Rural and Countryside Representative Organisations.

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  The identification and grouping of stakeholders involved in rural development programming
  
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  Transfer of knowledge and best practice to beneficiaries through dissemination actions and exchange experiences
  
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  The convening of relevant seminars, conventions and workshops to ensure the use of best practice in programme delivery
  
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  Development of a state-of-the-art website; development of project and statistical databases including ability to capture performance indicators at each level of the hierarchy
  
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  Publication of regular updates on programme delivery to as wide an audience as possible. Such publications should be harmonised with and complement those prepared under the Communications plan, particularly in relation to bringing the programme to the attention of the wider general public.
  
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  As well as complementing the work of the Communication plan, the output of the network should also feed directly into the annual reports and other formal presentations of the managing authorities
  
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  The collection and analysis of indicators and evidence-based programme outputs should feed directly into the mid-term and final programme evaluations. This activity is a core function of the network
  
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  The provision of a comprehensive information service to groups and organisations when requested
  
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  Facilitating and promoting inter-territorial and trans-national cooperation in relation to the delivery of Axes 3 and 4. The network must have the capacity to develop the co-operation principle, provide regulatory advice and offer appropriate mentoring
  
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  Representing Ireland on the proposed European Network for Rural Development and other relevant fora and promotion of the rural development programme nationally and abroad.
  

The network selection process will evaluate the proposals of candidate providers to implement the various functions, any other proposed functions and the indicative resources allocated to the overall task.

A steering group will be established to oversee the delivery of the Network Action Plan. The steering group will consist of the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the network provider, a representative from the farming organisations and from Local Action Groups. The steering group will meet quarterly in the first year of operation of the network and as necessary thereafter.

Appendices 1-10