Periodic Report Summary - RUDI (Assessing the impact of rural development policies) Project objectives RUDI is a small collaborative project funded within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) research theme 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology'. The project's general objective is to illuminate the processes and structures underlying the design, delivery and evaluation of European rural development (RD) policies, these processes being termed the 'forgotten' middle'. Looking beyond the EU evaluation framework, it aimed at a thorough analysis of the effects of policy processes in the 2007-2013 programming period. Based on that, recommendations for relevant actors at EU, national and regional levels were developed. Work performed During the 33-month project period, eleven work packages (WPs) were implemented. WPs 1-9 covered the research activities and involved a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches, while WP10 covered dissemination / networking, and WP11 management / coordination activities. Main results achieved Providing a solid knowledge base for the project, a critical review of relevant conceptual frame-works and theories was carried out in WP1 in order to better understand the role of RD in Europe, as well as to highlight the EU RD policy design, delivery and performance. WPs 2-5 carefully examined processes, factors and actors in policy design and implementation. Expenditure patterns were identified and compared with policy priorities as they are expressed in national RD programmes (RDPs). WP6 provides insights into the remaining part of the policy cycle, evaluation, by critically reviewing the assessment of impacts as it is foreseen in the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF). The key findings of WPs 1-6 are reflected in the frame of WP7, where a conceptual framework and a methodology were developed for the 20 in-depth case studies conducted in WP8, covering regions throughout the EU-27, and structured into six thematic clusters. WP9 synthesises the results of the project as a whole, providing insights and policy recommendations regarding a more effective RD Policy design, delivery, monitoring, impact assessment and evaluation. The main results and recommendations were compiled in the form of an extended policy brief (also available in Czech, German, Greek, Estonian, French, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, and Swedish) comprising four thematic sections on the above-named processes of policy design, delivery and evaluation, as well as challenges for future RD. Potential impact and use of final results The timely availability of RUDI research results is expected to contribute to better programme design, targeting and implementation in the funding period 2013-2020, and thus to increase the positive impacts of RDPs in all European Member States. The project's potential impact is enhanced through: (a) the direct and active involvement of key stakeholders and institutions in the entire research process; (b) the cross-country analysis, and (c) the attention paid to consultation, communication and dissemination. A constructive use of the project's findings has been ensured through a range of dissemination activities supporting participatory and dynamic learning processes targeted at the policy level, scientific community, and institutions involved in RD across the EU. A variety of meetings, conferences and workshops were hosted and/or attended, including the RUDI final conference 'Beyond indicators: evaluating the process of EU RD policies' in Brussels in June 2010. Within the framework of RUDI a variety of publications were realised (e.g. journal contributions, the above-named extended policy brief) and are in preparation (book publication in 2011). The RUDI website which is being maintained beyond the project's lifetime facilitates a smooth and efficient exchange, information and dissemination process. Related documents Periodic Report - RUDI (Assessing the impact of rural development policies)
