European sustainable development rural actor database

Created in 1999, PREPARE is a partnership, a programme, and a network.

In its role as a partnership, PREPARE is a group of European and national non-government organizations.

As a programme, PREPARE aims at strengthening civil society and at promoting multi-national exchange in rural development, with a main focus on the new EU member states and accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Finally, as a network, PREPARE’s goal is to promote multi-national exchange between those who are involved (as individuals or organisations) in rural development anywhere in Europe.

PREPARE can therefore be defender as an open network of individuals, multi-polar in nature, controlled by its membership, and flexible in operation.

To strengthen civil society in rural areas: strengthening of civil society means that the dispersed rural communities and NGOs, especially in Central and Eastern European countries, are encouraged and helped to create national rural networks, which would make them a stronger partner for the national and regional governments. These national networks then contribute to increase the number and improve the quality of rural NGOs and their ability to affect policies and effective use of EU funding. The dialogue between the public and civil sector is also strengthened

To promote transnational cooperation in rural development: national movements are made stronger through exchange of ideas and experience between countries. The Scandinavian rural movements, which have a long tradition, have helped many new MS to establish rural movements. International events (such as the annual PREPARE Gathering) are also an opportunity to learn and to benefit from such an exchange

To promote and enable networking between all involved in rural development, particularly in the new member states and accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Networking through the Website (www.preparenetwork.org), plus newsletter and events. PREPARE thus seeks to stimulate contact and cooperation between people and organisations involved in rural development. PREPARE is also in contact with other European organisations and networks