Funding for all EIP-AGRI Operational Groups - Practice oriented AKIS topics

The current Horizon Europe programme offers many opportunities for Operational Groups (OGs). They can be part of EU-wide multi-actor projects, or Thematic and Advisory Networks. These types of projects must support needs and opportunities from practice. The networks and projects are meant to last after the Horizon Europe projects end, and to be linked to the knowledge platforms of the AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems) in the participating countries. Under the new CAP, each Member State is now obliged to improve collaboration between farmers, advisors, researchers, CAP networks etc. within their AKIS. In this way they ensure advisors become more competent thanks to regular input of up-to-date knowledge.

Please find below information on 3 specific OG-oriented topics. They all aim to connect farmers and advisors across Europe to foster systematic and regular exchanges on practice-oriented knowledge and innovation.

Deadlines for submissions:  10 March 2022, 17:00 hrs Brussels time.

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Would you like to collaborate with other Operational Groups across Europe to exchange knowledge on your common subject?

Then this specific and new type of Horizon Europe topic is for you:

TOPIC | Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of Thematic Networks, compiling and sharing knowledge ready for practice

At least 5 Operational Groups from 3 different Member States working on a common subject should form the basis for these projects. So your OG is essential for this topic! Projects must last at least 3 years and can receive up to EUR 3 million. You will exchange and learn from other Operational Groups as well as from other experts in the field you are covering.

Are you an EIP-AGRI Operational Group wanting to be part of an EU-wide practice-oriented project?

Then these AKIS topics are for you:

TOPIC | Thematic Networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice.

What is interesting is that Thematic Networks can work on any topic they think is important for agricultural practice, there are no pre-defined themes. So you can choose a theme related to your Operational Group.

TOPIC | Developing EU advisory networks on water use

This type of project intends to make an EU web of interconnected advisors who share their knowledge. It helps them to improve their skills and pass on this innovative information to farmers.

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Would you like to contact existing Operational Groups to join these topics from the call 2022?

To find Operational Groups, search the EIP-AGRI Projects database where you can find all OGs and Horizon multi-actor projects, or take a look at the catalogue of projects which have participated in past EIP-AGRI events. There are OGs on topics such as dealing with water management on the farm and many other emerging and important topics, such as circular bioeconomy, on-farm or across farms biodiversity management, soil management, pesticides, machinery, innovative supply chains, agro-ecology, forestry, digitalisation and much more.

The results of EIP-AGRI Focus Groups or events may also provide inspiration for project proposals. See for example the Thematic network on water in horticulture FERTINNOWA, the EIP-AGRI Focus Group on Water & Agriculture, the EIP-AGRI Workshop: Connecting innovative projects: Water & Agriculture. You can also search in our collection of research needs from practice. 

For even more inspiration, you can find the full list of all EIP-AGRI Focus Groups here and events here.

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The Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)

Multi-actor requirements can be found on pages 19-21 of the Work programme - this contains the precise requirements you have to fulfil to get selected.

Below are the basic principles and rationale for the multi-actor approach:

1. The MAA is an integral part of the topic text and is counted as criterion for excellence:

• Clarity and pertinence of the project’s objectives (focus on needs and opportunities of end-users of project results)

• Soundness of the proposed methodology, including open science practices including sharing and management of research outputs and engagement of citizens, civil society and end users where appropriate (focus on working according to MAA and plenty of broad communication and dissemination, in particular to end-users of project results).

2. The MAA in an eligibility criterion as indicated in the topic table: “proposals must use the MAA”.

3. The IMPACT of MAA project is key: the outcomes are more demand-driven, reliable and relevant to society.

4. End-users/practitioners and intermediates are to be involved, not as a study-object, but to use their practical and local knowledge and/or entrepreneurial skills to develop solutions and create ’co-ownership‘ of results for (end-) users and practitioners.

5. This will speed up the acceptance and take-up of new ideas, approaches and solutions developed in the project.