The Groupe de Bruges is an independent network and think tank on European agricultural and rural development policies. http://www.groupedebruges.eu/
The setting up of this new group was made possible thanks to financial support from the Charles-Léopold Mayer foundation, under the auspices of its “Agriculture paysanne et modernisation” (APM) programme.
The members were selected by Bertrand Hervieu and Edgard Pisani from among specialists in agriculture, environment and rural development. Some of these, particularly those from the Eastern bloc countries, were identified through the APM programme and proposed by the Charles-Léopold Mayer foundation.
Over the following years, the group was strengthened by the addition of new members at the suggestion in particular of Piotr Dabrowski who extended participation to individuals from the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. A few members who had not been very active departed, and by 2003 the group consisted of 25 members from 22 countries.
What is the added value of the GdB?
1. To contribute to better European policies on agriculture, food systems, rural development and environment in an independent way, that is not connected to specific sectoral, territorial or political interests. This will remain the core-business of the GdB.
2. To raise public awareness. European citizens are not and don't feel involved in the debate on European agricultural and rural development policy.
3. Serve as a platform for stake-holders in the debate. Because of the Groupe de Bruges' independent position it can serve as a save haven where conflicting parties could be invited to discuss their views outside of the normal 'battlegrounds' and in this way focus more on what they share in common than what divides them or to offer them new points of view to approach the problem.
4. To serve as a knowledge provider.
- Category:
- Non-governmental organization (ngo)