SEEDEV assists local authorities to define rural development strategies and facilitate local economic development processes, applying a territorial approach. SEEDEV has specific experience in private sector development at local level along certain value chains and Cross Border Cooperation programmes. It also supported regional rural development strategies and the establishment and capacity building of rural development agencies.

SEEDEV also invested great efforts in research activities to define actions in assistance to Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) and Geographical Indication (PGI) that we consider as a relevant approach and tool for Rural Development.

Agriculture policy
SEEDEV works in partnership with those organisations and individuals who are interested in strengthening the role of the civil society in SEE, particularly in the sectors of rural and local development and environment protection. It embraces a method of systematic research into strategies to involve/support civil society organisations in the projects implemented by SEEDEV.

Agribusiness development
SEEDEV support agri-businesses across the whole southwest Europe providing direct consultancy services to agri-businesses or and through projects that aim at enhancing business environment by promoting business services and technology transfer, improving knowledge, stakeholder organisation and market linkages. SEEDEV is also involved in agro-food market surveys.

European Integration
SEEDEV is developing specific tools and expertise to prepare stakeholders in the fields covered by the IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession) programmes, particularly rural development and cross-border cooperation. This entails support to national and local authorities project identification and project implementation according to EU/IPA procedures and principles, and the reparation and delivery of trainings based on Project Cycle Management approaches. In addition, the European integration is a transversal dimension of all activities carried by SEEDEV.

SEEDEV activities

• Project identification and preparation
• Direct long and short term technical assistance
• Preparation and delivery of trainings for project preparation, IPA programmes and procedures
• Processes moderation and facilitation
• Socio-economic analysis and strategic planning
• Feasibility and economic studies, market surveys
• Project and policy evaluation, technical and procedural audits
• Databases, websites, public awareness-raising campaigns