Fostering generational renewal in agriculture via EU advisory network

This destination will support the EU Commission priorities ‘Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature’ and ‘A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’, which require innovative and agile governance models and tools to support transformative change within planetary boundaries.

R&I supporting decision-making is a key enabler for the Vision for Agriculture and Food that aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the EU's farming and food systems within the boundaries of our planet, as well as to meet the objectives set out in the Common Agricultural Policy.

Besides, the R&I supporting the bioeconomy, with a focus on bio-based solutions and the role of biotechnology, needs to be further strengthened, in line with the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Communication on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the Life Sciences Strategy.

There is also a need to unlock the potential of applied digital and data technologies to support sectors covered by this cluster in becoming more competitive, sustainable, resilient and inclusive in line with the evolving EU policies on cyber, data and data technologies and digital services, notably the European Data Strategy, the Europe’s Digital Decade Policy Programme, the AI Continent Action Plan and the upcoming EU digital strategy for agriculture. This destination will contribute to the development, support and take up of digital and data-based solutions to implement the European Green Deal, while fostering innovation and supporting start-ups, thereby supporting the EU Competitiveness Compass.

The destination supports the European Ocean Pact, aiming at bringing coherence across all EU policy areas linked to the ocean, supporting a resilient and healthy ocean and coastal areas and promoting the sustainable blue economy. In particular, land-sea connection areas are crucial for addressing the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme events, and hydrological crises. When relevant, actions are encouraged to align with the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’, leveraging its digital infrastructures (such as the Digital Twin Ocean), stakeholder networks, and knowledge systems to enhance governance, environmental observation, and policy-support tools across terrestrial and aquatic systems.

This destination implements research actions to address water challenges in the EU and support the European Water Resilience Strategy by advancing the capacity for proper management of water sources.

In line with the global approach on R&I, this destination will foster and support regional and international initiatives, encourage international cooperation, contribute substantially to the implementation of key international treaties and to the work of various international bodies, assessments and other initiatives, and help achieve international commitments, notably under the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

Knowledge and advice are key to improving competitiveness, sustainability and resilience. R&I actions under this destination will support effective Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) that are at the heart of the 2023-2027 CAP’s cross-cutting objective as a key mean to bridge the gap between science and practice. Synergies with the EU-CAP Network, and particularly the EIP-AGRI Operational Groups supported by the CAP, will be further exploited.

The European Research Area is further integrated, and the global efforts are well-coordinated for impact-oriented science on food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture-forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, and environment.

The Destination supports unlocking the unique assets for research and innovation of the EU outermost regions, in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions^[1].

Expected Impact: Proposals for topics under this destination should set out credible pathways to "developing innovative governance models and tools enabling sustainability and resilience", and more specifically to one or several of the following expected impacts:

• improved evidence-based knowledge, tools and science-society-policy interfaces support effective policy mixes and multi-level governance that are capable of anticipating a changing world, enabling a just sustainable transition for all, engaging society at large and balancing economic, social and environmental goals;
• competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the economy are supported by more accessible and interoperable environmental observations and improved Earth Intelligence;
• productivity is boosted and transformative changes required by the European Green Deal are facilitated, leaving no one behind, thanks to enhanced digital and data technologies, flows of existing and new knowledge, solutions and skills among actors and communities, as well as maximised synergies between initiatives.

[1] COM(2022) Putting people first, securing sustainable and inclusive growth, unlocking the potential of the EU’s outermost regions.

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• advisors are better equipped with up-to-date knowledge, skills and tools to support young generation in entering into and successfully running the farming business, while taking into account the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss;
• an attractive, high-quality training offer and advice suited to the evolving skills demands of the new generation attract young, talented farm entrepreneurs and lead to a new wave of innovative agricultural businesses.

Scope:

Generational renewal is a prerequisite for European farming systems to remain resilient and competitive in the medium and long term. The actions funded under this topic is relevant to the EU policies related to the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food and the objective to shape an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations. To accomplish this, it is important to provide active support and specialised trainings for newcomers and young farmers. Advisors are best placed to accompany, monitor and mentor new farmers in the different stages of setting up and managing new farms. In addition, they can support new farmers in building social networks from a professional point of view and provide guidance on the different needs of takeovers and new farms. They can also contribute to advance gender equality and inclusion in this sector.

A novelty in the current CAP strategic plans is that advisors should be integrated within the AKIS as well as be impartial, competent and up to date on scientific and innovation developments^[1]. They should be able to translate the knowledge and provide concrete, targeted and practical solutions for farmers adapted to specific local circumstances.

Proposals should:

• foster in-depth exchange of knowledge and experiences among advisors across the EU on the needs of young farmers and new entrants to successfully enter and run an agricultural business in the long-term;
• develop and widely share diverse useful resources, tools and approaches, including learning materials and courses, new business strategies/plans, cross-border visits, internships and other initiatives that should empower advisors to effectively support young and/or new farmers in addressing the identified needs for taking over / entering and staying in the farming sector;
• equip advisors to deliver guidance and support throughout the various stages of farm establishment. This should include offering guidance on various preparatory steps such as securing land, exploring financing options, and crafting business strategies. Advisors should also help farmers navigate practical elements like technology use, financial management, legal matters, and sustainable farming practices addressing among others climate change and biodiversity loss. Additionally, they should address challenges that arise in the early years of farm development. Special attention should be given to promoting generational transfer, helping older farmers plan for and facilitate farm succession;
• involve advisors in an innovative EU-wide communication and awareness-rising campaigns to reposition farming as an attractive and rewarding career choice for the young generations;
• ensure collaborations with national or regional authorities and AKIS ecosystems to promote the project outputs and ensure that they will be updated and maintained in the long-term beyond the project duration.

The proposals must implement the multi-actor approach and ensure adequate involvement of all relevant stakeholders. Minimum 50% of the number of the people involved in the project should be impartial advisors spending at least half of their time on giving advice to farmers. A plan for financial sustainability and maintenance of the EU advisory network in the long-term beyond the project duration should be included in the proposal.

[1] In line with the Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, Member States shall ensure that the advice given is impartial and that advisors are suitably qualified, appropriately trained and have no conflict of interest.