Results of Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 Implementation in Latvia

56 % of the population in the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) is living in rural areas, which cover 91 % of the territory; rural development is a vitally important policy area. Latvia already is implementing second Rural Development Programme. Rural Development Programme support for 2007-2013 foreseen funding for Latvia is 1.36 million Euros. Support measures are divided in 4 axis. As of 2009 beginning can be concluded that the Rural Development Programme for 2007 to 2013 introduction is slow and inefficient. Announced was application only for 58% of the funding of the program. Only 30% of the projects were approved of the total proposed funding, paid out support were-just 9% of total funding. The best results in this area was related to axis 2 - paid 22%, while axis 4 measure has not yet been approved and paid. Thus, the Ministry of Agriculture together with farmers' organizations has to evaluate the results of implementation and take steps for improving its implementation, in order to achieve the program goals.