On November 21, 2024, PREPARE (Partnership for Rural Europe) successfully held its Strategy Participatory Workshop, an online event that engaged members, stakeholders, and partners to collaboratively shape the organization’s strategy. The workshop served as a platform to define the WHAT, WHY, and HOW of PREPARE’s mission and objectives, with a clear agenda that guided discussions and ensured a productive session.
Workshop Agenda
The event followed a well-structured agenda to ensure active participation and meaningful outcomes:
- 13:00 – 13:05 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Introduction to the workshop goals and the importance of member contributions in shaping the strategic framework.
- 13:05 – 13:25 | Strategy Overview
- Presentation by the Core Group for Strategy Development, detailing the Strategy’s purpose, progress, and focus areas.
- 13:25 – 14:25 | Breakout Sessions
- Participants split into three thematic groups, each addressing a critical aspect of the strategy:
- WHAT (Civic Engagement): Exploring the role of community involvement in rural development.
- WHY (Rural Voice): Highlighting the importance of amplifying rural perspectives in policy and public discourse.
- HOW (Partnership and Networking): Examining ways to strengthen collaborations within and beyond the PREPARE Network.
- Participants split into three thematic groups, each addressing a critical aspect of the strategy:
- 14:25 – 14:40 | Group Presentations and Feedback
- Each group shared its findings, followed by interactive feedback from all participants.
- 14:40 – 14:45 | Closing and Next Steps
- Summary of insights from the session and an outline of the next steps in the strategy development process.
Key Insights and Outcomes
The discussions within the breakout rooms were central to shaping the strategy:
- (Civic Engagement – The WHAT):
- Recognized the need for greater community participation in rural initiatives.
- Proposed tools for enhancing civic engagement, such as digital platforms and capacity-building activities.
- Emphasized empowering youth and marginalized groups in rural areas.
- Rural Voice – The WHY:
- Stressed the importance of representing rural perspectives in policymaking.
- Highlighted strategies for advocacy and amplifying rural stories at European and national levels.
- Recommended building mechanisms for gathering and sharing experiences from rural communities to influence public discourse.
- Partnership and Networking – The HOW:
- Identified opportunities to strengthen internal collaboration among PREPARE members.
- Discussed ways to establish partnerships with external stakeholders, including NGOs, policymakers, and businesses.
- Proposed leveraging existing networks to enhance PREPARE’s influence and reach.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The workshop exemplified the strength of collaborative action within the PREPARE Network. Participants contributed valuable ideas and solutions that will shape the strategy, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting rural communities across Europe.
Acknowledgment and Next Steps
PREPARE extends its sincere gratitude to all participants for their thoughtful contributions and dedication. The insights and recommendations from this workshop will be integrated into the final stages of the strategy development process.
Together, we are building a stronger network that amplifies rural voices, fosters civic engagement, and strengthens partnerships for the future of rural Europe. Thank you for your invaluable participation and collaboration!