Registration is open for a free Celebrating Rural Wales event on June 9-10.

For decades Wales has benefitted from support through the EU Rural Development Programme (RDP).

With the UK’s exit from the European Union this support is coming to an end, and the Welsh Government is taking the opportunity to develop a truly Welsh approach to support for the rural economy.

"It is important to learn the lessons from the many successes of the RDP as we consider how to target interventions in the future," said a government spokesperson.

"This event will seek to highlight successes, and how we can take these forwards based on the priorities outlined by the Minister for Rural Affairs."

Organised by the Welsh Government’s Wales Rural Network Support Unit, the event at the Royal Welsh Showground will showcase some of the projects which have been set up in Wales through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Programme, and capture what is important to the sector to continue to support the rural economy in the future.

Highlights include:

• An opportunity to hear from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, the Minister for Climate Change and the Director for Environment and Marine.

• Workshops on future schemes during the transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

• A themed exhibition area, covering food and tourism, the sustainable management of natural resources, innovation, woodland and forestry, and innovative communities.

• Themed discussions looking at successes achieved by beneficiaries of funding

• Video case studies of projects and the people who have benefitted.

• Rural Awards – providing recognition to projects that have succeeded

The event is free to attend, but you will need to register – please visit www.celebratingruralwales.wales/registration