The role of networking in the rural economy

The rural life will have a new aspect within the European Union. The paper deals with the general term of ‘network’ which can refer to any interconnected group or system. It shows the lessons, experiences and the main obstacle of the networking activity, implemented is the former programming period, i.e. 2000-2006, and so for the current programming period, i.e. 2007-2013. It introduces the steps and structures to the Hungarian National Rural Network (HNRN), as an example. Officially the Article 68 of the Regulation 1698/2005/EC contains provisions as to the establishment of the National Rural Network, which aims at (a) identifying and analysing the best practises on rural development, providing information about them and organizing exchanges of experiences and know-how, and (b) preparing training programmes for local action groups in the process of formation and giving technical assistance for inter-territorial and trans-national cooperation between LAGs. Networking activity is looked upon as a permanent, improvable tool that can assist in developing the rural quality and economy. The paper introduces an evaluation on the willingness for cooperation on international field, which analysis was launched June 2009 among the Hungarian Local Action Groups (LAGs) by the HNRN. It shows that the successful adaptation to persistent rural acts will depend on many elements, as a result mainly on good practices and experiences. It is visible, that Hungary is also on the way of learning, and it has to draw the conclusion from time to time, the process of network building is drawn from the rural stakeholders and the wider rural economy point of view