I m p a c t Euronatur Conference Bonn, Sept 7th, 2005 impact | policy consulting simone lughofer...

Euronatur ConferenceBonn, Sept 7th, 2005

impact | policy consultingsimone lughofer

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Achieving Sustainable Rural Development through

Partnership

Experiences & Lessons Learned



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Defining Art.6 „Partnership“:Levels of Participation

Level 1: Information (provision of information, public relations, „hearing“)

Level 2: Consultation (feedback, dialogue, „round table“)

Level 3: Co-operation (preparation of decisions up to co-decision)

Partnership: placed between levels 2 and 3 Depending on institutional and financial responsibilities … of all partners > information



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Participation within Rural Development:

Advantages (in Theory)

Advantages: Result has higher (political) legitimacy and tax-payers

acceptance Improvement of programme: Reflection of ecological and

social aspects, higher innovation potential Objectification: Interests instead of positions, mutual

learning, conflict settlement through dialogue More engagement in implementation, longterm sustainable

solutions facilitated by stakeholder acceptance



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Participation within RD:Disadvantages (expected)

Disadvantages:

Loss of control over final decision

Costs of the process (time and money)

Opportunity costs for NGOs (environmental as well as agricultural) -> participation trap?



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First Experiences in Austria:AE Advisory Committee

Members: regional agriculture and nature conservation authorities, NGOs, (federal environment ministry), chair: ministry of agriculture-> forum of experts, not politicians -> Objectification

Tasks: Evaluation of AE programme, integration of results into programme development, allocation of budget for studies-> Improvement of programme by complementing agriculture targets through the social and environmental perspecitve, prevention of (public) criticism

Standing orders: votes by majority, recommendations to the agri minister, formal protocols known to DG Environment-> high influence, ongoing dispute-settlement



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Participation within the Preparation of the Austrian RD

Plan: LE 07-13 Elaboration of RD Plan as participatory project, lead and final

responsibility with ministry of agriculture (& environment) Core: 7 (+4) working groups, reflecting the 3 RD axis,

from end 2004 – end 2005 Members: authorities (federal ministry, regional agriculture and

nature conservation authorities), agriculture chamber, partly chamber of commerce, partly organic farmers representatives; around 150 experts

3-4 conferences (Kick-Off Nov. 04, Mai 05, 1-2 further conferences planned, e.g. to the national strategy plan)

Internet-platform, opportunity to post and publish contributionswww.le07-13.lebensministerium.at



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Preparation of the Austrian RD Plan: Lessons Learned

Clear responsibilites: esp. SPC for internal and external needs

Connection between technical and political level: bad connection can slow down the whole process, mutual loyality

Clear definition of roles: final decision lies with the minister

Planning of process: example LEADER, broad kick-off, followed by various participation instruments

Diversity of needs: needs to be reflected through different instruments and intensities of participation

Provision of information: extensive; adequate resources need to be allocated! (protocols to detailled, reports to far advanced)

Cross-axis consistency: Matrix-WGs (z.B. nature conservation, forestry), co-ordination between heads of working groups



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Conclusion: „Proactive Approach to Partizipation“

Structured process instead of singular interventions:better control and budgetary planning

Transparency: change of ministerial culture necessary, needs strong high-level commitment

Good opportunity for integrated consideration of funding measures (whilest seperate in implementation)

Broad agricultural debate on high level:WGs with 150 experts -> Capacity building and better mutual understanding between actors as side-effect

Open issue: Resources for NGO-participation, particularly with view on the monitoring committees

I m p a c t Euronatur Conference Bonn, Sept 7th, 2005 impact | policy consulting simone lughofer...

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