The guiding principles of BRDN that unite the member-organisations in common mission for integrative rural development in the Balkans region, are:

• Enhancement of dialogue, confidence and cooperation among the members;
• Sustainable development based on preserving and development of the natural resources and living environment;
• Support diversity of the rural areas;
• Bottom-up approach and empowerment of the local rural communities;
• Networking, cooperation, exchange of best practices, experience and knowhow;
• Advocacy, wide stakeholder involvement and cooperation with the academic community;
• Joint implementation of projects;
• Visibility, transparency and work accountability

The aims of BRDN, as defined with the current Statute are:

• To connect and align different profile organisations for exchange of opinions, information and experiences, as well as implement activities for promotion, organisation and assistance in the sphere of rural development;
• Promote rural communities’ development and connect the different sectors that functions in those communities;
• Work on promotion of the conditions and consistent development of the rural areas and improvement of the quality of life.

By following the guiding work principles, the organisation and working towards fulfilment of the organisation’s aims, BRDN will support effective utilisation of the natural and human capital and will contribute to sustainable growth and development of the rural areas. By doing so, it will back-up the empowerment of the rural communities, their participation in the policy and decision-making processes, that will in the long run improve the social well-being of the rural people from the Balkan region.

After thorough analysis of the organisational strengths and weaknesses, in comparison to the external working environment’s opportunities and threats, and considering the past performance and future perspectives for integrative rural development of the Balkan rural areas, as well as the power and interest of the organisation’s stakeholders, the BRDN members defined four priority action areas for strategy implementation period 2018-2022.

The strategic priority action areas in which BRDN will develop itself and will work for the best interest of its constituents are:

• Organisational development
• Exchange of experience, knowhow and best practices
• Advocacy and lobbying
• Promotion, visibility and communication
• Gender mainstreaming within BRDN as cross cutting strategic priority will apply on each of the BRDN strategic priorities.

Under each of these areas, BRDN will act in accordance with its defined values, and towards achieving prosperous and vibrant rural development, and enhanced socio-economic livelihood of the rural communities.