Round tables on the green architecture of the CAP
Description
These events, organised in conjunction with the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) brought together agricultural and environmental stakeholders to explore the potential of the CAP legal proposals to support both environmental objectives and sustainable farming.
They are organised in a participatory manner, designed to foster dialogue and develop relationships between stakeholders, and to identify how the CAP legal proposals could be implemented via the CAP Strategic Plans to address the objectives and concerns of both agricultural and environmental stakeholders. The first two meetings lead to the identification of some policy packages which were subsequently presented to Member States and included in publications and presentations.
Two day long events were held in November and December 2018 and a third, lasting one and a half days, is being organised in October 2019. Around 50 stakeholder representatives were invited to each meeting.
Initiated by DG AGRI, in conjunction with a third party (IUCN), to explore how the legal proposals could be implemented to achieve both environment/climate objectives and support sustainable farming.
When and Where
Policy Context
Participants
Methodologies
Impact
Bulletin: https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/round-tables-green-architecture-cap-2018-nov-12_en
Contribution to AGRI publication: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/cap-post-2020-environ-benefits-simplification.pdf
Various presentations (including to EIP AGRI project HNV-Link final conference in Montpellier, Expert Groups and CDGs)
- Intangible:
Fostering constructive relationships between stakeholders, which for example could have an effect on their interaction with MS during the development of CAP Strategic Plans, developing understanding of the legal proposals and creative ideas on how policy can support environment/climate/sustainability objectives.
- Ideas generated have been used in-house (AGRI) when considering how the policy framework could be used.
- Participants are encouraged to be actively involved at MS level in the development of CAP Strategic Plans.
- Some of the ideas raised can be identified in amendments proposed by EP.
Assessment
- Experienced hosts were identified through personal contact, and gave their time for this in addition to their normal daily work. It would be good if the Commission/DGs could recognise this type of contribution that colleagues make.
- The Commission lacks suitable premises for organising participatory events - flexible spaces with moveable furniture, walls that can be used to display work in progress etc. This increases costs (use of external premises) and reduces flexibility (increases lead times, use of contracts restricts last minute adaptation etc). More meeting spaces with adequate facilities are needed!
1. It is both important and informative to involve citizens/stakeholders - it leads to better policy making, and more informed citizens.
2. Participative approaches are extremely valuable to allow stakeholders' voices to be heard. This is more challenging than classic conferences/seminars and requires more careful and time-consuming design, but is worthwhile.
3. Involving citizens/stakeholders is an act of trust - if we want to be taken seriously we need to genuinely commit to listen to the outcomes of such events - this type of activity cannot be used as a smokescreen for "business as usual".
2. Involve citizens/stakeholders early in the policy process (prior to development of legal proposals).
3. Design engagement activities participatively.