The development of rural areas is managed as a priority by the European Union since its foundation. After its recommendations and the declarations of the member states the EU configured its rural development subvention system. In 2005 it ordered the member states to prepare a national rural development program for 2007 to 2013. The member states had to prepare their national rural development programs during 2006, and the New Hungary Rural Development Program is one of these.

In its resolution on creating national rural development programs the Council ordered the establishment of national networks and the European Rural Development Network as their linking organization. The objective of national rural development networks is to improve rural development programs: to unite administrative and civil forces that are active in rural areas. In 2008 the EU regulated the establishment of the European Rural Development Network that brings together the national networks with delegates of national networks. This organization coordinates the exchange of experiences, continuously keeping the European Commission informed. The work of the European Rural Development Network started at the international conference on Cyprus, 16 October 2008.

The institutions and individuals joining to national networks do not give up their independence. Their national and international activities are continued. This is equally true for LEADER-groups, self-governments and local rural development offices or even for the Hungarian system of village keepers. The goal of the network is to bring together rural development actors of different types and aims, encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences, organize professional and practical trainings.

In Hungary, the Hungarian National Rural Network was established on 2 December 2008. The Network Council and the Presidency of the Network came into existence.


According to the governmental order the president of the Network, as commissioner of the prime minister, is allowed to formulate recommendations addressed to ministries interested in rural issues for ministerial political measures concerning rural areas. At the same time the government asked the leaders of these ministries to inform the president and presidency of the Network about governmental plans concerning rural areas.

By this authorization the Hungarian government wanted to emphasize the importance of rural development, and made it possible for the Network’s presidency and president to offer and publish opinions not only on the national rural development plan, but also about the New Hungary Development Plan. The government authorized the president to create consensus between the political parties, legislative committees and fractions. The mission of Hungarian Rural Network is to inform the Hungarian public about the principles of European rural development policy, and to develop a Hungarian practice that suits the characteristics of the Carpathian Basin, by constant exchange of information. The task of our Network is to create a public forum where civil organizations and politicians meet each other in a continuous dialogue. And finally: to make a stand in issues concerning nationwide rural politics.