Abergavenny has become the only town in the UK to sign up to a Europe-wide scheme to boost agricultural development and jobs.

Ten other European towns have linked on the Agri-Urban Network, with the aim of driving growth in the sector through sharing ideas and collaborating across borders.

The project works by joining information and ideas between towns which each have established and specific agricultural industries. Abergavenny’s renowned food festival earned the town its invitation to the table.

Members of the scheme will share ideas on managing land and resources, reducing market barriers for producers, and motoring small and medium-sized business to grow.

Each will make research trips to link with partners across Europe, with a focus on connecting rural and urban spaces.

Representatives from across Europe gathered in the Spanish town of Mollet Del Valles last week to kickstart the first two-year stage of the project.

Councillor John Prosser, the town representative, said, “Abergavenny is the only UK town taking part in the project, and this is an exciting opportunity to develop projects in the community, and to potentially access funding thereafter.”

The scheme has already seen an Urban Local Group set up to focus on developing a plan specific to local agricultural needs.

The network stretches across Europe, including Spain and neighbouring Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Sweden and Belgium.

Deserie Mansfield, rural programmes co-ordinator at MCC, said, “The development of the projects relies on volunteers and, as usual, the community has stepped up.

“I am pleased to work with the volunteers of the Urban Local Group who give their time freely to develop and deliver agricultural projects which will support the town and the surrounding rural areas.”

The group would like to hear thoughts from the community to support the development of projects in the local area.

For more information, please contact Deserie Mansfield on [email protected]