Strengthening EU agricultural knowledge and innovation systems : report on the fifth mandate of the strategic working group on agricultural knowledge and innovation systems of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (2019-2022)

The main mission of the Strategic Working Group on Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SWG SCAR AKIS) is to build a knowledge and innovation network across the EU, focusing specifically on speeding and scaling up the impact of research and innovation (R & I), with experts, advisors and researchers working hand in hand with farmers, foresters and other rural actors. More specifically, the objectives of the SWG SCAR AKIS are as follows: (1) improve the functioning of knowledge and innovation systems in agriculture, forestry, bioeconomy and the rural areas; (2) use the predictions of foresight studies to tackle challenges by stimulating appropriate R & I activities, knowledge generation and knowledge exchange; and (3) cover all agri-food and biomass value chains, from producer to consumer, in a systemic approach. During its fifth mandate (2019-2022), the strategic working group (SWG) discussed five main topics on which Member States (MSs) and multiple actors exchanged insights, shared best practices, presented case studies and distilled useful recommendations from these discussions. This report reflects and highlights the main points of the interactions (by means of brainstorming sessions) between EU agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS) actors, and covers the main outcomes and conclusions, including policy recommendations.