CAP reforms, local rural success stories, funding and support opportunities, countryside pride, and cooperation. All five themes formed the basis of the recent conference on 'Rural Communities and their Future Needs' hosted by the Confederation of European Councillors in Monaghan on 18th and 19th March.

The first seminar of 2004 hosted representatives from thirty-five local authorities, as well as an array of speakers from farm bodies, EU governance, government departments, local rural initiatives and cross-border support bodies.

In addressing the councillors, Northern Ireland MEP Jim Nicholson highlighted the need for greater cooperation within rural communities, stressing that all is not lost in terms of direct support from the EU within the next phase. Mr. Nicholson was confident that the Peace and Reconciliation Fund would be secured for 2005-2007, but that the nature of direct support for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would be differ from what has existed thus far.

Farm spokesmen from the Ulster Framers Union and the Irish Farmers Association underlined the need to take pride in the countryside and in the role of farming as being central to the future of rural communities. UFU chief executive Clark Black and IFA and Gerry Gunning of the IFA's National Rural Development Committee both highlighted the benefit of cross-border development as a key component.

The conference also showcased examples of successful rural and local initiatives and networks, with presentations from IRD Kiltimagh (Co. Mayo), North Antrim Community Network, Communities of South Tyrone Area (COSTA) and Ballyhoura Development Ltd (Co. Limerick). Information on funding and support structures was presented from the International Fund for Ireland, ADOPT, Area Development Management/Combat Poverty Agency, and the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council.

CEC Partnership Manager John Devaney, stated that 'the importance of rural issues and the needs of rural communities to us is demonstrated by the fact that this is the focus of the very first conference for the Confederation. So many local representatives are either from a rural background themselves or may represent a predominantly rural area, and we feel that a key role or us is in maintaining the information available so as to empower them as local politicians. The CEC has stressed the fact that councillors are the political figures closest to the ground, and what better way to commence our programme than to provide an effective forum on such an important issue'.