DG AGRI has organized a two-day workshop dedicated to exploring and sharing the practical experiences of the first operational groups (OGs), starting from the creation of
associations around specific projects for their implementation.

The workshop is organized in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies - Department for International, European and Rural Development Policies, the Veneto Region and the Veneto Agricoltura - Regional Agency for Agriculture, Forestry and Agri-Food Sectors.

A total of 3,205 OGs are planned for the 2014-2020 period, with funding available through Measure 16 of the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) of 94 Member States/regions. Authorities are at different stages of implementation, and it is therefore time to learn about the practical experiences of established OGs and relevant stakeholders in Member States and regions.

The workshop will consist of a series of presentations and lively discussions. The goal is to exchange ideas and learn from the initial experiences of creating OGs and the early stages of implementing these groups' projects.

Invited to the Workshop : The Operational Groups already created and in operation, however, the possibility of participating in possible Operational Groups that could be formed in the future, once the corresponding calls have been published, based on the provisions of the National Rural Development Program 2014-2020, is also raised. Participation in this workshop will involve presenting in English the idea of a possible OG, possible members that would comprise it, difficulties encountered and aspects to continue working on, etc.