Implementers
The Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD) began its work in July 2021. It is carried out jointly by the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) of South Eastern Europe and IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH (IAK). The ministries of agriculture of the Western Balkan countries are members of the intergovernmental organization SWG. The Republic of Moldova has also been a full member since summer 2023 and participates in some APD working groups. The SWG and IAK have already worked together successfully and in a spirit of trust in the predecessor project, the technical dialog on wine regulation launched in 2018.
The Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) of South Eastern Europe, a platform for networking and regional cooperation, is the regional implementer of the APD. With its headquarters in Skopje in North Macedonia and branches in all other Western Balkan countries, it has the regional network and mandate to implement the diverse topics of the APD optimally.
The SWG was founded in 2005 as part of the Agricultural Policy Forum on "Development opportunities for rural cooperation in SEE". The basis was the common desire to establish an organization for sustainable rural development in South Eastern Europe (SEE). The SWG is an independent intergovernmental organization that operates at both national and regional level and is responsible for initiating and preparing regional development projects in South Eastern Europe. It acts as an agency to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development in the region by supporting the governments, academic institutions, associations and other relevant organizations of its member countries in capacity building and networking.
The international implementer of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany – Southeast Europe is IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH, based in Leipzig, Germany. Founded in 1981, today it advises clients from the private sector in Germany and abroad. For clients from the public sector, such as BMEL, GIZ, EU and the World Bank, IAK implements development and international cooperation projects worldwide.
The IAK coordinates the German contribution to APD. For example, it organizes expert assignments and activities in Germany and the EU, such as fact-finding missions and participation in conferences. An international key expert is seconded to each APD working group and is supervised by the IAK. In addition, it involves representatives of state institutions such as the BMEL and the Federal Environment Agency, research institutes and other relevant institutions in its activities as required.