How does the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) work? What changes does it entail for Ukraine as part of the European integration process? And most importantly, how will this affect the development of local communities?
We will address these questions together with experts from the “Green Dossier” Information Center during the third webinar in the EU Local.Talks series.
Webinar Experts
Kateryna Shor – Manager of the “Green Dossier” Information Center, with 15 years of experience coordinating projects in the agricultural sector, particularly in organic production.
Dr. Olga Ignatenko – an expert on sustainable development, sustainable consumption, and production.
Participants
We invite farmers, representatives of local government bodies, community leaders, and local organizations for whom it is important to understand how the transformation of agricultural policy may affect territorial development, budgetary opportunities, and the local economy.і.
Webinar Structure
The webinar will consist of six thematic sections:
- Section One – The Role of the Common Agricultural Policy in the EU. It will examine the history of the CAP’s development, its place within the European Union’s budgetary and institutional architecture, and the evolution of its objectives—from ensuring food security to serving as a tool for achieving the goals of the EU’s environmental and climate policies, as well as the vision for the long-term development of the EU’s agricultural sector and rural areas.
- The second section covers the current CAP model for 2023–2027. Participants will learn how the system of national strategic plans works, the basis on which they are formulated and adjusted, the support provided to agricultural producers, and the environmental and social requirements imposed on beneficiaries. This section will also examine the rural development tools included in the current CAP, specifically support for local strategies, cooperation, processing, and small producers.
- The third session will focus on discussions regarding the CAP after 2027. It will cover the main reform directions currently being discussed at the EU level: strengthening the climate component, simplifying the administrative burden for small farmers, promoting innovation and digitalization, improving risk management tools, and expanding the territorial approach. This session will help participants understand the direction in which policy will develop in the medium term.
- The fourth section focuses on rural development and opportunities for communities. It will demonstrate how the SAP combines support for production with support for local development, and which tools can be used to develop infrastructure, local processing, short supply chains, green infrastructure, and mountainous areas. Special attention will be given to which elements of this model may be relevant for Ukrainian communities.
- The fifth section focuses on direct benefits for community residents. It will discuss how agricultural policy affects not only farmers but also the quality, safety, and affordability of food products, the state of the environment, regional employment, and the stability of the local economy.
- The sixth and final section addresses community participation in shaping agricultural policy. It will examine how strategic planning takes place within the CAP in the EU, how communities and civil society organizations can be involved in consultations and the development of national priorities, and why an active role at the local level is important for shaping the Ukrainian model of agricultural policy in the context of EU integration.
Format and Time
The webinar will take place on March 25 via Zoom and will combine an analytical overview with a practical focus on community needs; all participants will have the opportunity to ask the experts questions. The event starts at 2:00 PM, and registration is required via the link: https://forms.gle/xonB1xQXbrzw9grg6
The registration deadline is March 24.
About the “Green Dossier” Information Center
An organization that has been promoting the principles of sustainable development in society for 28 years, integrating them into national policy and government programs by disseminating objective environmental and social information to the media, local communities, authorities, and businesses, thereby engaging them in practical action.
“Green Dossier” helps revive cultural traditions and environmentally friendly farming practices (particularly organic production), which are directly linked to nature conservation; it demonstrates the need to focus on long-term economic development rather than merely meeting immediate needs.
As a result of developing a more stable economy, people have the opportunity to achieve more with fewer resources, use resources more efficiently, attract investment, maintain stability and competitiveness, and improve skills and beneficial activities.
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The EU Local Talks webinar series is organized in cooperation with the European Union as part of the project “Whole-of-Society Accession: Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in Ukraine’s EU Accession.”, implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation.
