What CAP Network Ireland does

CAP Network Ireland is a Dublin-based national network organisation established in 2023 through the rebranding of the National Rural Network (NRN) to support implementation of Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The organisation is co-funded by the European Union and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and operates as a consortium with Irish Rural Link, ERINN Innovation, and Munster Technological University. It serves Irish farmers, farm families, rural communities, and agricultural advisors by providing free information, helpdesk support, case studies, e-bulletins, events, and capacity-building resources on CAP schemes including BISS, the Eco-scheme, ACRES, SCEP, TAMS, and the €180 million LEADER programme administered through 29 Local Action Groups.

The organisation does not develop proprietary technology. Its digital platform comprises a WordPress-based website (capnetworkireland.eu) that aggregates scheme information, an Events Calendar with iCalendar/Google/Outlook subscription, a helpdesk service, image and resource libraries, and webinar archives. Email distribution runs on Mailchimp and Campaign Monitor, and traffic analytics on Google Analytics. There are no APIs, SDKs, or mobile applications; CAP Network Ireland is explicitly described in the source data as a network/support organisation rather than a technology company. Outreach extends across social media (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn) and major agricultural events such as Bloom and the National Ploughing Championships.

The business model is non-commercial. Membership is free and CAP Network Ireland does not generate commercial revenue; it operates on EU and government co-funding tied to the 2023-2027 CAP cycle. Stakeholder reach is broad — including 55,000 ACRES farm families, approximately 6,100 Irish organic farmers and food businesses, and over 550 female rural entrepreneurs supported via the ACORNS programme — but monetisation flows through programme administration rather than direct charges to end users. There are no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or private equity backing.

Name

CAP Network Ireland

Legal name

CAP Network Ireland

Website

https://capnetworkireland.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CAP Network Ireland is a Dublin-based, EU and Irish government co-funded national network supporting implementation of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, serving farmers, farm families, and rural communities with free scheme information, a helpdesk, events, and LEADER programme support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. EU and Government Co-Funding: CAP Network Ireland is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The organization operates as a non-commercial network supporting CAP implementation rather than generating commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CAP Network Ireland is a non-commercial national information and support network that helps farmers, rural communities, and agricultural stakeholders access Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 funding and schemes. Membership is free and provides access to a Helpdesk, Schemes information, Case Studies, an Events Calendar, E-Bulletin publications, an Innovation Hub, a Knowledge Hub, and LEADER Programme support, with delivery coordinated through 29 Local Action Groups across Ireland.

Product overview

CAP Network Ireland is an information and knowledge-sharing network (formerly the National Rural Network) that supports the implementation of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. The organization operates primarily as a digital information platform offering resources, news, events, and guidance on sustainable agriculture and rural development. Rather than a traditional product company, CAP Network Ireland provides a suite of information services including a website portal, Innovation Hub, Case Studies, Resources library, Events Calendar, Helpdesk support, E-Bulletins, LEADER Programme support, Schemes information, and Knowledge Hub. These services collectively support farmers and rural communities in accessing CAP funding, understanding scheme requirements, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAP Network Ireland Membership and Information Portal Free national membership programme giving farmers and rural communities access to information, resources, news, events, and updates on Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
• Innovation Hub Resource centre supporting the development and sharing of innovative ideas and solutions for agriculture and rural development, including AKIS coordination and knowledge exchange.
• Helpdesk Service Direct contact service answering questions and providing guidance to farmers and rural communities about CAP schemes and funding programmes.
• LEADER Programme 2023-2027 Support Information, guidance, and capacity-building support for the LEADER community-led rural development programme 2023-2027, backed by a €180 million budget for economic development, rural infrastructure, and sustainable environment projects.
• Knowledge Hub Repository of innovative knowledge and research resources supporting future solutions for agriculture, forestry, and rural development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000 farm families supported through ACRES agri-environment scheme under CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Irish Rural LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing to the CAP Network Ireland consortium. Irish Rural Link is a national network of rural development organisations working to combat rural poverty and social exclusion.
• ERINN InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner and data controller for CAP Network Ireland website. ERINN Innovation provides innovation and research support for sustainable solutions in agriculture and rural development.
• Munster Technological University (MTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing academic and research expertise to the CAP Network Ireland consortium. MTU provides third-level agricultural education and research capabilities.
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarinecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment department that co-funds CAP Network Ireland and sets policy direction for Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The department oversees agricultural schemes and funding programmes.
• Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment department that administers the LEADER Programme in Ireland. Works with CAP Network Ireland on LEADER capacity building and implementation support.
• EU CAP NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean-level CAP Network that coordinates LEADER activities, publishes newsletters, organizes awards (ARIA), and facilitates cross-border knowledge exchange among national CAP networks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Scottish Rural Network: Scotland's national rural development network supporting rural communities, CAP-equivalent funding, and stakeholder engagement. Directly comparable in function and structure but operates in a different (Scottish) regulatory and geographic context.
• Réseau Rural National (France): France's national rural network supporting CAP implementation, LEADER coordination, and rural stakeholder engagement. Closely comparable in structure and mandate to CAP Network Ireland, but serving French rural communities rather than Irish ones.
• Red Rural Nacional (Spain): Spain's national rural network under the EU CAP framework, connecting rural stakeholders and supporting CAP Strategic Plan implementation. Functionally analogous to CAP Network Ireland at national level but operating in a different member state.
• Vernetzungsstelle Ländliche Räume (Germany): Germany's federal network for rural areas, supporting LEADER and CAP Strategic Plan implementation across German Länder. Comparable as a national CAP/rural development network with a similar mandate but different federal structure and geography.

Broad incumbents

• Bord Bia: Irish Food Board promoting Irish food and drink at home and abroad. Broad incumbent in the Irish agri-food ecosystem, with adjacent stakeholder engagement and communications capabilities but focused on market promotion rather than CAP scheme delivery.
• Teagasc: Ireland's Agriculture and Food Development Authority, providing agricultural research, advisory, and education services to Irish farmers. Broad incumbent in the same space serving overlapping farmer audiences, with deeper technical/advisory scope but no specific CAP network mandate.
• Irish Farmers' Association (IFA): Ireland's principal farming representative body, advocating for farmer interests on policy, including CAP. Overlaps in audience (Irish farmers) and CAP policy engagement but is a member-led advocacy organisation rather than a state-co-funded network.

Direct peers

• EU CAP Network: Pan-European network that coordinates national CAP networks, including CAP Network Ireland, and supports LEADER activities across member states. Directly comparable as the umbrella counterpart and active programme partner for cross-border knowledge exchange and ARIA awards.
• Irish Rural Link: National network of rural development organisations in Ireland working to combat rural poverty and social exclusion. Directly comparable as a fellow Irish rural network and an active consortium partner to CAP Network Ireland, sharing overlapping member communities and policy advocacy remit.

Others

• Macra na Feirme: Irish voluntary organisation representing young farmers and rural youth. Listed as a CAP Network Ireland stakeholder and active partner on women-in-agriculture and rural youth initiatives; thematically aligned on rural development but distinct in membership and mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/capnetworkire
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@capnetworkireland
• Facebookfacebook.com/capnetworkireland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cap-network-ireland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAP Network Ireland