What is it about?
Despite the continued funding of scientific projects, innovative ideas and methods from practice are not captured and spread, while also research findings are often not integrated into agricultural and forestry practice. It is essential to close the research and innovation divide and to act at EU level. National and sectoral agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKISs) are insufficiently connected to fully meet this challenge. More intense cooperation is needed between researchers, advisors and farmers/foresters to stimulate the exchange of knowledge in view of fostering economically viable and sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Scope:
The activities of thematic networks focus on summarising, sharing and presenting, – in a language that is easy to understand and is targeted to farmers and foresters – existing best practices and research findings that are near close to being put into practice, but not sufficiently known or used by practitioners. The specific themes of the networks can be chosen in a ‘bottom-up’ way and must focus on the most urgent needs of farmers and foresters. If appropriate, they can cover important or promising cross-sectoral issues. They should pay attention to the cost/benefit aspects of the new practices. A comprehensive description of the state of the art on the chosen theme should explain the added value of the proposal, the relevance of the theme and how it avoids duplication with ongoing or completed projects and networks. If duly substantiated, proposals may focus on the widening of an existing thematic network. ‘Widening’ could apply to content and/or geographic coverage (e.g. through twinning or cross-border exchange visits). In order to better reach and capture knowledge from the targeted farmers/foresters, the networks may organise ‘cross-fertilisation’ through sub-networks covering, for example, a region, a language or a production system.
Expected Impact:
The aim is to:
- conserve the practical knowledge for the long-term – beyond the project period – using the main trusted dissemination channels which farmers/foresters consult most often, and also serve education and training purposes;
- increase the flow of practical information between farmers/foresters in Europe in a geographically balanced way, creating spill-overs and taking account of the differences between territories;
- achieve greater user acceptance of collected solutions and a more intensive dissemination of existing knowledge.
In the same framework, IED has already implemented several innovative projects which included innovative practices. If you are interested in applying for this call you could contact us and further discuss the available options.
