The EU CAP Network has announced the launch of the Agricultural & Rural Inspiration Awards (ARIA) 2023. This prestigious award aims to recognise and showcase exemplary projects developed under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework, fostering the exchange of agricultural and rural knowledge. This year, ARIA will focus on the theme “Boosting Capacities for Agriculture and Rural Areas,” aligning with the “European Year of Skills 2023.”

Projects eligible for the ARIA awards must receive funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER) and/or the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEAGA). Moreover, they should be in line with the values and objectives advocated by the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas and the Rural Pact of the European Union. The awards will prioritise projects funded under the 2014-2022 CAP framework, highlighting lifelong learning and capacity-building to support innovation and competitiveness.

ARIA 2023 encompasses four thematic categories, each representing a key aspect of agricultural and rural development:

1. Smart & Competitive Agriculture: Recognising CAP-funded projects that contribute to a smart, competitive, resilient, and diversified agricultural sector, ensuring long-term food security.
2. Environmental Protection: Celebrating CAP-funded projects that strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, sustainability demonstration, and contributions to green recovery.
3. Socio-economic Fabric of Rural Areas: Acknowledging CAP-funded projects that bolster the socio-economic resilience of rural Europe. These projects exhibit innovative approaches to addressing social aspects, advocate sustainable practices advancing the benefits of digitalization in farming and rural communities, foster inclusivity within rural society, and provide support to rural entrepreneurs and businesses.
4. Rural Stakeholder Skills (Inspired by the European Year of Skills 2023): Commending CAP-funded projects that exemplify lifelong learning, empowering individuals and companies to contribute to green and digital transitions, as well as supporting innovation and competitiveness.

Detailed information about the competition rules can be accessed at the following link: https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/news/agriculture-rural-inspiration-awards-aria-2023_en. The European CAP Network will announce the 24 selected projects in November 2023.