First National Node Meeting in Slovakia

Participants in the event were representatives of SUA Nitra, BEC, PD Krakovany Stráže, PROUNION and NPPC Vúpop.

After the brief opening, the project was introduced to meeting attendees. The goal and activities of the project were highlighted. The role of the Operational Groups (OGs) was stressed as being the main source of knowledge input into Soil-X-Change network. Another important moment was presenting the benefits of the project for OGs partners but also wider benefits for stakeholders. The idea of gathering the data in the form of surveys was introduced, explaining the purpose of it.

Identification of barriers and plan of actions

∙ According to the latest information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) the OGs proposal might be evaluated by the end of summer. It means that the implementation might start in autumn and projects must be finished by the end of summer 2025. This means that potential OG activities might need to be carried in less than one year.

∙ Given the fact that initial proposals were submitted 2-3 years ago, the short period of implementation might be problematic as well as the condition for implementation since the conditions on farms changed.

∙ Monitoring and dissemination activities are other barriers that would need to be resolved

∙ On the other hand, no reduction in financial contribution is expected.