The 8th National Networks (NNs) Meeting, co-organised by CAP Network Ireland and the EU CAP Network, took place on 6-7 October 2026 at the Glenview Hotel in County Wicklow. The meeting focused on the role of NNs in fostering cooperation through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Bringing together 27 National Networks from across Europe, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange insights and good practices, explore key success factors in supporting cooperation under the CAP, and discuss initiatives relating to the environment and climate, supply chain development, EIP-AGRI and LEADER. The EU CAP Network also shared updates on its work to support cooperation and on wider networking activities at European and national levels.
The packed agenda featured presentations, panel discussions, interactive group activities and contributions from the CAP Network Ireland (CAPN) team.
The meeting opened on day one with a video message from Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. CAPN Project Manager, James Claffey, then welcomed attendees and reflected on the central theme of cooperation, noting that “real cooperation takes hard work and commitment” towards a common goal. Later, David Barry of CAPN presented on the Network’s capacity-building workshops, webinars and other resources designed to strengthen outcomes for EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs). He highlighted the benefits of applying lessons learned from the 2014–2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP) to the current programme. He also emphasised the importance of streamlining reporting templates and promoting relevant news, events and thematic groups to OGs through CAPN’s communication channels, including its new EIP-AGRI e-Bulletin.
Day one concluded with an interactive session exploring how NNs work with partners to strengthen cooperation under the CAP. Key recommendations from the group work included the importance of sharing examples of good practice in cooperation and approaches to overcoming associated administrative challenges; the need for online and in-person information events on cooperation; and the potential for peer-to-peer mentoring between Local Action Groups (LAGs) to build capacity and knowledge around cooperation. Participants also highlighted the value of the Transnational Cooperation Factsheets available on the EU CAP Network website and encouraged National CAP Networks to act as ‘rural hubs’ to connect partners and facilitate collaboration.
On day two, Marie Duffy of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) took part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Unlocking the Potential of Cooperation’. She highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration between the DRCDG and CAPN in delivering capacity-building events for key stakeholders involved in the delivery of Ireland’s LEADER Programme. She also emphasised the value of CAPN’s outreach, including its ability to bring guest speakers from the EU CAP Network and other National Networks to events, as well as its role in sharing case studies, newsletters and other publications with a wide rural audience.
To conclude, the EU CAP Network signposted upcoming events and thematic groups of interest, including the Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards (ARIA) ceremony in December and a Women in Farming Seminar in November. The location of the 9th National Networks Meeting was also announced, with France set to host the event in March 2027.
Following the meeting, participants set off to visit two cooperation projects supported under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027, providing an opportunity to see collaboration in practice.
The agenda, a range of presentations and final meeting reports from the meeting will be available on the EU CAP Network website.
For more information on cooperation and all things CAP-related, visit our website.
Image sources: EU CAP Network and CAP Network Ireland