Europe

You can now apply for European funding for 'town twinning' and 'networks of towns' projects.

These two Europe for Citizens funding streams are currently open for applications until midday Brussels time on 1 September 2016.

Europe for Citizens is a funding initiative to strengthen remembrance and to enhance civic participation at a European Union (EU) level.

A new European publication on social inclusion in rural areas is available online.

The capacity-building manual for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 'Promoting the Integration of Migrants and Refugees in Rural Areas' has recently been published by the Euracademy Association.

A new European publication focussing on 'Smart and Competitive Food and Drink Supply Chains' is now available online.

The European Network for Rural Development's (ENRD) EU Rural Review 22 looks at opportunities to improve the competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food supply chain.

The publication includes examples of initiatives from across Europe including Scotland's Chocolate Trail and accessible public food contracts in East Ayrshire. 

Registration is now open for the Scottish Rural Parliament 2016 event.

The Scottish Rural Parliament will bring together 400 people to discuss the issues of greatest importance to rural communities in Scotland.

The event will be held in Brechin, Angus from 6 to 8 October and is free for most people to attend.

Have your say on the Horizon 2020 ‘Food Security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy’ Work Programme 2018-2020.

The European Commission is carrying out a public consultation on this work programme and is welcoming contributions from all citizens and organisations.

A fund to help organisations develop ideas for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Low Carbon Travel and Transport (LCTT) Challenge Fund is open for applications.

The European Innovation Partnership 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability' (EIP-AGRI) is calling for experts for three new focus groups.

EIP-AGRI are encouraging people involved in agroforestry, dairy farming or tending vineyards to apply to be part of the Focus Groups and work with 19 other experts from across Europe.

Do you have an idea for a transnational cooperation project?

Scotland will be represented at the LEADER Fair for Transnational Cooperation in Estonia on 24 – 26 August 2016 by the Cairngorm and Angus Local Action Groups (LAGs), as well as the Scottish Rural Network.

‘What is the Scottish Rural Development Programme?’

That was the question the Scottish Rural Network was trying to answer for a busy tent of guests on Thursday at this year’s Royal Highland Show.