01/03/2021

EURAKNOS Final Conference: From EURAKNOS to the EUREKA of European knowledge exchange – 25-26 February 2021, online

©EURAKNOS

The EURAKNOS final consortium meeting took place on 25 February, the Final Conference on 26 February. As more sustainable practices are by nature more knowledge intensive, making practice-oriented knowledge readily available and easily accessible to end users is very relevant.

The EURAKNOS project, which aimed at strengthening the EU agricultural knowledge base, is already inspiring other projects and initiatives like the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) in the UK. Connecting to national initiatives is key for a wider spread across Europe. Key outputs of the EURAKNOS project were presented, including the EURAKNOS Explorer’s Guide for Thematic Networks. It summarises experience from all Thematic Networks (TNs) on how to set up successful, impactful and engaging projects and presents best practices and key insights from TN communities of practice. The outputs of the EURAKNOS project moreover resulted in an aspirational Vision Paper for a high-impact knowledge reservoir for agriculture and forestry.

The consortium meeting ended with a reflection exercise to gather feedback from all partners. Connections between the Work Packages are key, as are expectation management and end user engagement as well as good coordination and leadership, to make roles responsibilities clear. During break-out sessions, participants of the Final Conference pointed out that the platform should be used as well to showcase best practices, such as how to involve farmers more. The Explorer’s Guide and the platform should be a ‘living product’, meaning the content should be regularly updated. The policy discussion showed that, while a central repository will avoid double work, the communication/socialisation part is important as well.

By developing a proof, concept, and visuals for the future platform on a smaller scale, EURAKNOS laid the foundation for sister project EUREKA. EUREKA will connect all multi-actor projects, helping to ensure the long-term and wider use of practical knowledge and innovative solutions by the rural community.

Re-watch the Final Conference sessions.

IFOAM Organics Europe is a partner of both projects. For EURAKNOS, IFOAM Organics Europe’s role was to report on similar existing initiatives, capacity building through cross-exchange visits, networking as well as communication and dissemination. For EUREKA, IFOAM Organics Europe’s role is to contribute to the project with its expertise on organic farming and experience with multi-actor projects in the organic sector.

knowledge for organic euraknos project logo

EURAKNOS has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 817863. This communication only reflects the author’s view. The Research Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

 
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