Target group
The seminar will be most useful to officials with a good prior understanding of Rural Development and EU Funds. It is addressed to managers, senior officials from all levels of government and local authorities, officials from public enterprises, academics, representatives of business and farmers associations, and other practitioners. 

Description
The EU Regulation on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD Regulation) is the basis which establishes the range of possible measures for rural development. These two days address the financial managing of the second pillar of the Common Agriculture Policy dealing with rural development. It will be elaborated how to ensure coherence between the first pillar and what the challenges are for the specific national and regional implementation of the fund. Does the focus lie on sustainability as said by the European Commission? What are the challenges for the Member States with respect to eligibility rules, state aid or reporting requirements? Which instruments can contribute to the simplification of project and programme management? 

Learning methodology
A dynamic approach will be followed by the speakers, encouraging especially discussion among participants by providing sufficient time, and using a mixture of training tools such as lectures, two interactive sessions on risk management and state aid. 

Objectives
The purpose of the seminar is to examine in detail the challenges with respect to the financial management of rural development programmes, various implications of the second pillar reform and the consequences for national and regional administrations and other stakeholders. The following specific issues will be covered in detail: simplified cost options, auditing requirements and rules on state aid, information and project administration and monitoring. Speakers from the European Commission and the Member States will help participants to better understand the challenges of the implementation of the new rules and procedures.