Objective C-BIRD recognizes the diversity and complexity of rural areas across Europe in terms of needs and development solutions. However, there is no clear, single exclusive model behind rural development given the multiple development paths, which result from various combinations of forces. In addition, there is concern about the application of rural development policy in recently incorporated countries to the EU.As a rule, rural development in Europe is related to agricultural development. The ultimate objective of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to guarantee and promote sustainability of rural areas in social, economic and environmental aspects. However, scarce empirical evidence exists on how such three-pronged goals are actually implemented and sustained in rural development processes and policy.This project will investigate the innovative role of cooperatives, and related rural actors (including academic institutions, commercial enterprises, NGOs, associations, etc.) in rural development as a useful tool to achieve such objectives and their importance in the “knowledge economy”. Five countries with strong agricultural cooperative sectors are involved: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Bulgaria and Serbia. Specific areas will be chosen in each country. Quantitative and qualitative and case study analysis will be carried out in exchanges between industry and academic institutions in order to identify successful models and also to investigate rural development strategies in recently incorporated EU countries. Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizations Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP - Marie Curie Action: "Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IAPP - Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) Coordinator TRAKIYSKI UNIVERSITET EU contribution € 78 761,10 Address STUDENTS CAMPUS RECTORAT 6000 Stara Zagora Bulgaria See on map Region Северна и Югоизточна България Югоизточен Стара Загора Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Darina Zaimova (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all EURICSE Italy EU contribution € 68 191,17 Address VIA TORRE VERDE 7 38122 Trento See on map Region Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Francesca Tomasi (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD DE ALMERIA Spain EU contribution € 58 300,45 Address CARRETERA SACRAMENTO CANADA 04120 Almeria See on map Region Sur Andalucía Almería Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Juan Antonio Chaichio (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK Ireland EU contribution € 64 925,59 Address WESTERN ROAD T12 YN60 Cork See on map Region Ireland Southern South-East Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact David O'connell (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data AGROCONSULT-ENGINEERING EOOD Bulgaria EU contribution € 93 044,81 Address BULEVARD TSAR SIMEON VELIKI 6000 STARA ZAGORA See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Anelia Vateva (Mrs) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data ASOCIACION DE ORGANIZACIONES DE PRODUCTORES DE FRUTAS Y HORTALIZAS DE ALMERIA Spain EU contribution € 151 726,36 Address CARRETERA RONDA 11-1 04004 Almeria See on map Region Sur Andalucía Almería Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Beatriz Liñán (Mrs) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data ZIP CENTAR ZA MLADE BIZNIS INKUBATOR DOO PIROT Serbia EU contribution € 82 714,43 Address TRG REPUBLIKE 97 SPRAT 1 18300 PIROT See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Ana Petrovic (Mrs) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data