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The coronavirus has shaken Europe and the world to its core, testing healthcare and welfare systems, our
societies and economies and our way of living and working together. To protect lives and livelihoods, repair
the Single Market, as well as to build a lasting and prosperous recovery, the European Commission is
proposing to harness the full potential of the EU budget. Next Generation EU of €750 billion as well as
targeted reinforcements to the long-term EU budget for 2021-2027 will bring the total financial firepower
of the EU budget to €1.85 trillion.

Next Generation EU will raise money by temporarily lifting the own resources ceiling to 2.00% of EU Gross
National Income, allowing the Commission to use its strong credit rating to borrow €750 billion on the
financial markets. This additional funding will be channelled through EU programmes and repaid over
a long period of time throughout future EU budgets – not before 2028 and not after 2058. To help do this
in a fair and shared way, the Commission proposes a number of new own resources. In addition, in order
to make funds available as soon as possible to respond to the most pressing needs, the Commission
proposes to amend the current multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 to make an additional €11.5
billion in funding available already in 2020. The money raised for Next Generation EU will be invested
across three pillars: 1. Support to Member States with investments and reforms; 2. Kick-starting the EU
economy by incentivising private investments; Addressing the lessons of the crisis.

1.3 Tools and networks

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD). It is
a centre for the exchange of information on how rural
development policy, programmes, projects and other
initiatives work in practice and how they can be improved
to achieve more results. The ENRD was established in 2008
by the European Commission, Directorate-General for
Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI). the Assembly
of European Rural Networks and the Steering Group (stakeholders that providing strategic direction,
guidance and coordination) governs this structure. The ENRD is not an associative organisation. Its work
aims to involve and reach anyone with an interest and commitment to rural development in Europe.

The main stakeholders of the EN RD include the following:

● National Rural Networks (NRN);
● RDP managing authority and paying agencies;
● Local Action Groups (LAGs);
● European organisations;
● Agricultural advisory services;
● Agricultural and rural researchers;
● Other rural development organisations and individuals concerned
● In the current programming period 2014-2020, the ENRD has four key objectives:
● To increase stakeholder involvement in rural development;
● To improve the quality of rural development programmes (RDPs);
● To inform about the benefits of rural development policy;
● Support the evaluation of RDPs.