The agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) Fostering knowledge exchange and innovation in the bioeconomy Thematic Seminar Bioeconomy Challenges for the EU Regions Rob PETERS European Commission DG Agriculture and Rural Development

EIP-AGRI in a nutshell Aim: Fostering a competitive and sustainable agriculture and forestry sector that ‘achieves more from less’ Approach: Closing the innovation gap between research and practice and forming partnerships by: –Using the interactive innovation model –Linking actors through the EIP-AGRI Network

Means to implement the EIP-AGRI Rural Development Programmes Operational Groups Project funding Innovation support services Horizon 2020 (EU Research Policy) Multi-actor research projects involving the agricultural community Thematic networks, unlocking and exchanging knowledge across the EU EIP-AGRI Network

What is an Operational Group? Concrete innovation projects finding innovative solutions Different competencies (practical and scientific) “Hands-on” groups Benefit from the interactions OPERATIONAL GROUP

Fostering innovation through EIP-AGRI Rural Development Programmes RDP support to EIP Operational Groups Rural Development Programmes

Multi-Actor Approach (MAA): people who need the solutions also help shaping them by being involved right from the start  cross-fertilisation of ideas between farmers, advisers, enterprises, researchers, etc. Horizon 2020 Work Programme : € 371 million to 38 multi-actor approach (MAA) topics for agriculture, food and forestry projects Project results and practical recommendations should feed into EIP-AGRI for broad dissemination as ‘practice abstracts’ Fostering innovation through EIP-AGRI Multi-actor approach in Horizon 2020

Fostering innovation through EIP-AGRI Multi-actor approach in Horizon 2020

Specific type of multi-actor topic: Thematic networks –Collect and develop existing but insufficiently used scientific knowledge and best practices. Make it easily accessible and understandable through information sheets, audio-visual material, etc. –Themes may be chosen bottom-up, prioritising the most urgent. –10 thematic networks up and running, more to come in –Example: AGRIFORVALOR (2015)  focus on valorisation of biomass side streams from agriculture and forest. DE, IE, BE, ES, HU, NL. Fostering innovation through EIP-AGRI Multi-actor approach in Horizon 2020

Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Building new biomass supply chains for the bio-based economy‘, May 2015, Sardinia Overall objective = foster co-operation mechanisms between agriculture/forestry and industry to guarantee: –steady, reliable and sustainable supply of raw materials –fair income for the farmer and forest holders. Specific objectives = –Engaging relevant actors (farmers, forest holders, cooperatives, industries, national/regional public authorities, advisers and innovation support services…) –Identifying technical, economic, regulatory and social barriers for new biomass supply chains. –Ensuring sustainability

Break-out and plenary sessions to discuss challenges, driving forces, solutions and actions Case study & field visit: Coldiretti/Novamont agreement for the supply of Matrica plant ~90 participants from 23 member states Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Building new biomass supply chains for the bio-based economy‘, May 2015, Sardinia

Conclusions –There is potential in Europe but important barriers were identified that need to be removed. –Better cooperation between primary and industry sectors is crucial but is only part of the solution –Establishment of a stable and coherent regulatory framework and market pull measures is also necessary –Participants showed willingness to share the knowledge and information gathered and to follow up on the solutions and tools identified. Further information: EIP-AGRI workshop webpage EIP-AGRI workshop webpage Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Building new biomass supply chains for the bio-based economy‘, May 2015, Sardinia

Some 80 participants from 24 MS (+ Norway) Farmers/foresters, advisors, agri-food and bio-based industries, public authorities, NGOs, researchers Overall objective: to bring relevant partners together and to discuss the role of agriculture and forestry in the circular economy, to identify challenges and opportunities and to define concrete actions 6 case studies (well established or just in their start-up phase). Field visit: BIOvakka biogas plant: nutrient recycling and energy production from waste and by-products (e.g. manure) Further information: EIP-AGRI workshop webpageEIP-AGRI workshop webpage Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Opportunities for Agriculture and Forestry in the Circular Economy ‘ October 2015, Finland

Participatory, 'hands-on' approach through business cases Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Opportunities for Agriculture and Forestry in the Circular Economy ‘ October 2015, Finland

Some key messages: Bio-economy, 'green engine' of the circular-economy Common vision shared by all actors, needs to be tailored to the local/regional context (opportunities/resources) Leadership and coordination are key to deliver Requires initial investment and support to develop new ideas, markets and systems Farmers and foresters central in the process Clarification / harmonisation of standards is needed Key role of cooperation & networking for boosting CE Knowledge exchange within EIP-AGRI: Workshop 'Opportunities for Agriculture and Forestry in the Circular Economy ‘ October 2015, Finland

Operational Groups: Workshop on first experiences Toolkit on EIP website Workshop “Cities and Food” FG 19 Nutrients recycling FG 20 Forest biomass mobilisation FG 21 Robust animals FG 22 Agroforestry FG 23 Perennial crops diseases Workshop “sustainability indicators” Workshop “multiple forest value chains” Fostering innovation through EIP-AGRI Relevant EIP-AGRI Network activities in 2016

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