Strengthening knowledge and skills of advisors and integrating them within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) via an EU advisory network

1. Strengthened organisation and integration of impartial advisors (public and private) within national/regional and European AKIS, with intensified exchanges between advisors and other relevant AKIS actors. 2. Advisors better equipped with practice-oriented, up-to-date knowledge, skills and tools, enabling them to deliver high-quality, impartial advice covering economic, environmental and social sustainability in line with all CAP objectives. 3. Accelerated and widespread sharing and practical use of existing and new knowledge and solutions by farmers, driven by more competent, skilled and impartial advisors, thus supporting the transition towards more competitive, sustainable and resilient farming.

Proposals must: 1. Improve the organisation and services of impartial advisors (public and private) by (a) deepening their integration into AKIS at EU and national/regional levels through more networked structures, and (b) developing and advancing effective interactive methodologies and tools. 2. Enhance advisors’ knowledge and skills in key practitioner-relevant areas (competitiveness; economic, environmental and social sustainability) by establishing knowledge hubs linking research, education, advisors and farmers; encouraging collection, sharing and use of knowledge across the EU; and organising collaborative activities to exchange experience and know-how. 3. Create and disseminate practical tools, training courses and informative materials for advisors and their farmer clients, including motivational approaches to ensure uptake. 4. Support understanding and implementation of the interactive innovation model by (a) illustrating it with practical examples, (b) providing methodology and professional development training, and (c) ensuring regular two-way communication of practice-driven research and innovation needs to AKIS actors. 5. Design, develop, operate and continuously update an online platform that includes: (1) a comprehensive advisors’ contact and expertise database, (2) diverse data sources and decision-support tools (with tutorials), (3) training and reference materials, (4) best practice case studies, and (5) additional relevant tools; integrating outputs from related Horizon and CAP projects; and translating all content (not only the interface) into all 24 official EU languages. 6. Allocate dedicated resources to collaborate with, build upon and avoid duplication of past, current and future AKIS projects. 7. Implement the mandatory multi-actor approach: at least 50% of participants must be impartial advisors spending at least 50% of their time on advisory activities. 8. Ensure consortium partners are well networked with advisors and have the capacity to involve as many practicing advisors across the EU as possible. 9. Optionally provide financial support to third parties (max €60 000 each) to secure broad EU advisor involvement; and define a transparent selection process for advisors or advisory services. 10. Plan for a minimum project duration of seven years and include an initial plan for financial sustainability and long-term maintenance of the EU advisory network beyond the project’s end.