Collective contractual solutions

Definition

In a broad sense, collective contracts are where groups of farmers/foresters/landowners and other actors with a high degree of cooperation establish a formal entity and apply for an AECS agri-environmental scheme collectively. The payment for the activities undertaken to meet environmental objectives and enhance AECPGs is then made to the group in some cases and then shared with individual farmers. But different forms are possible; for instance, payments for the individual farmers can also adhere to a collective.

Design Guidelines

A vital design step is the identification of actors willing and capable of supporting the implementation of a collective contract, especially associations of farmers, foresters, and environmental organizations. Studies show farmers are not always well-disposed toward cooperative and collaborative features like collective payments or collective decision-making. So it is essential to consider the feasibility of a collective contract and provide the practitioners with the flexibility to evaluate local needs and modify the relevant design. The decision tree mainly includes a loop for decision-making and flexibility before designing a collective scheme. Fig 7 below is intended to help practitioners choose and design efficient collective contracts

Fig 7 Decision tree for designing collective contracts

Related Case studies

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  Cooperation in Natura 2000 area benefiting biodiversity (Measure 16.5) CO
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  FLANDERS – Flemish Forest Group CO
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  Forest conversion from coniferous to deciduous stands - an eco-account case CO
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  Forest Management CO
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  Incentives for collective reservoirs CO
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  INTEGRATED TERRITORIAL PROJECTS - (ITPs) /territorial agreement CO
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  Kromme Rijn Collective management CO
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  NUTRINFLOW CO
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  The Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund (CSFF) – Implementation example ESK VALLEY CO
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  The Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund (CSFF) – Implementation example SOUTH PENNINES CO
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  The Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund (CSFF) – Implementation example SWALESDALE CO
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  The Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund (CSFF) – Implementation example WENSLEYSDALE CO
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  The Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund (CSFF) – Implementation example WHARFDALE CO

Related training materials

Misure agro-ambientali collettive per la conservazione della biodiversità

• Meccanismi collettivi e conservazione della biodiversità
• Dalla teoria alla pratica: Alcune esperienze europee
• Primi risultati dell’indagine ‘CONSOLE’ sui contratti collettivi
• Wrap-up - contratti collettivi