EPRC's 2019 European Policy Seminar Series welcomed Alistair Prior, the Head of the Scottish Rural Network Support Unit. Alistair has spent almost 8 years supporting implementation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme, including 4 years overseeing implementation of LEADER in Scotland. Alistair’s work has included engagement on rural policy with Member
Alistair explained that the Scottish Rural Network’s aim is ‘to connect rural Scotland in all its diversity to promote economic growth and community development’. In early 2013, an evaluation of the Scottish rural network (SRN) was commissioned, using desk based analysis, in-depth interviews, surveys and workshops, to evaluate the implementation of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Communication Plan and the operational effectiveness of the SRN in order to provide recommendations for 2014-20. The future plans for the SRN are based on the recommendations, which include engaging with a full range of rural constituents and increased focus on promoting good practice. Read more on the evaluation of the SRN & SRDP communication plan here.
The exit from the EU on the horizon coupled with uncertainties around future policies and programmes could present an opportunity for retaining and expanding the role of the Scottish Rural Network.
EPRC would like to thank Alistair Prior for a very interesting seminar, which was enjoyed by those in Glasgow, and colleagues who were participating in the seminar from EPRC Delft in the Netherlands. Alistair Prior's presentation can be found here.
For more information regarding this seminar, please contact EPRC's Stefan Kah.
The next EPRC seminar will take place on 28th March 2019, when Dr Serafin Pazos-Vidal of the Conventional of Scottish Local authorities will present his recently published book entitled "Subsidiarity and EU Multilevel Governance: Actors, Networks and Agendas".