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The Lithuanian Rural Network (Lithuanian CAP Network) is an organizational structure that unites state and local government institutions, public legal entities related to agriculture, food, forestry and rural development participating in rural development processes.

Lithuanian CAP Network has a formal membership and consists of more than 300 official members. Only public legal entities can become members of Lithuanian CAP Network.

The main goal of Lithuanian CAP Network is to improve the quality of RDP and SP implementation, ensure the exchange of experience and good practices, and improve the evaluation of RDP and SP. 

Special objectives of Lithuanian CAP Network are to:

1. increase the participation of all relevant stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of the Strategic Plan; 2. help implement the Strategic Plan, to help move to performance-based implementation model; 3. contribute to the improvement of the quality of the implementation of the Strategic Plan; 4. contribute to informing the public and potential beneficiaries about the CAP and financing opportunities; 5. promote innovation in agriculture and rural development, support peer-to-peer learning, involve stakeholders in the process of knowledge exchange and knowledge accumulation and their mutual interaction; 6. contribute to monitoring and evaluation capacities and activities; 7. contribute to the dissemination of the results of SP implementation. 8. contribute to more active promotion of cooperation initiatives between interested parties and to ensure the organization of cooperation in the Network.

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Activities of our NRN are managed by the NRN Support Unit (NSU). Functions of the NSU are being implemented by representatives who work at the Ministry of Agriculture (Managing Authority (MA)). 

The organizational structure of Lithuanian CAP Network consists of:

	1. Network members. Membership in the network is open, collaborative and voluntary. The criteria and procedure for network membership are determined by MA, which also adjusts it in the course of the programming period. The criteria for membership in the Network are intended to make sure, whether the subject intending to become a member is active or his activities related to SP goals and their implementation. You become a member of the Network by completing the membership in the Network application form and upon receipt of MA approval. Membership in the Network provides an opportunity to cooperate, exchange experience, ideas, as well as solve problems and share the good practice with other members of the Network and the Secretariat of the Network. Network members have the opportunity to implement Network-initiated communication tools, as well as receiving newsletters and being among the first to find out current affairs related to the activities of the Network, including information about the Network organized events and other initiatives.
	2. Secretariat of the Network. The Secretariat of the Network is the main initiator of the activities of the Network and also the coordinating entity. The secretariat is responsible for the Action Program of the Network and Annual action plans preparation and implementation of these plans, as well as administration of other Network activities.
	3. Network Advisory Board. The purpose of the Network Advisory Board is to provide strategic guidance proposals regarding the CAP network implemented in Lithuania. The network's advisory board consists of entities related to agriculture and rural development, the Advisory Board of the Network does not include MA and PA representatives.

There are several main activities which are implemented in the Lithuanian CAP Network:

• NEWS. Members of our NRN and other interested parts are constantly being informed about the news of rural development policy and SP implementation, also other relevant thematic issues. It is mainly done through our website (in Lithuanian language) and monthly newsletters. You are encouraged to review all our newsletters, as they can be easily translated into any other language.
• EVENTS. Usually Lithuanian CAP Network organise nearly 100 events per year: various webinars and workshops, as well as in-person events.
• PUBLICATIONS. We have published 4 books already. One of them is in English about good RDP examples.
   

It is very important to emphasize that in Lithuanian CAP Network we have mixed model of activities implementation. Part of activities are being implemented by the NSU and part of them by the NRN members. Since 2019 NRN members have possibilities to implement their own communication projects - organize in-person and remote events and create electronic communication products.

1. Events:
   1. Thematic events (conferences, seminars)
   2. Open farm events
   3. Participation in exhibitions (publicity campaigns)
   4. Trainings for agriculture advisors
2. Electronic measures:
   1. Webinars
   2. Professional communication in social networks (Facebook, Instagram, interactive maps)
   3. Virtual 3D tours of good RDP examples
   4. Audiovisual production (creative videos, interviews, thematic shows, virtual reality (VR) material)

Please contact us if you have any queries!