Dublin, June, 2013

Pascal Bergeret, Krijn J. Poppe, Kevin Heanue

An update of contributions by the SCAR cwg

AKIS

Horizon 2020 and CAP towards 2020

Content of the presentation

Summary of findings CWG AKIS –

1 ●

from presentation at EIP event March 7, 2012.

Mandate and progress CWG AKIS –

2

Pro-AKIS

Discussion

TWO VIEWS ON INNOVATION POLICY (SMITS ET AL, 2010)Mainstream macro-economics Institutional and evolutionary economics:

Systems of InnovationMain assumptions Equilibrium

Perfect information

Dis-equilibrium

Asymetric

informationFocus Allocation of resources for invention

Individuals

Interaction in innovation processes

Networks and frame conditionsMain policy Science / research policy Innovation policyMain rationale Market failure Systemic problemsGovernment intervenes to provide public goods

mitigate externalities

reduce barriers to entry

eliminate inefficient market structures

solve problems in the system

facilitate creation new systems

facilitate transition and avoid lock-in

induce changes in the supporting structure for innovation: create institutions and support networking

main strengths of policies designed under this paradigm

clarity and simplicity

analysis based on long term trends of science-based indicators

context specific

involvement of all policies related to innovation

holistic approach to innovation

main weaknesses of policies designed under this paradigm

linear model of innovation

(institutional) framework conditions are not explicitly considered

difficult to implement

lack of indicators for analysis and evaluation of policy

3

THE FINDINGS FROM THE SCAR –

AKIS REPORT

• AKIS is originally a theoretical concept (based in observations) that is relevant to describe national or regional AKIS: they exist

• AKIS are quite different between countries / regions

• Some countries have restructured their AKIS considerably

• AKIS components are governed by quite different incentives

• AKIS are governed by public policy but consistent AKIS policies

do not

exist

• Monitoring of AKIS (input, system, output) is fragmented

• The high level of attention to “innovation”

in the policy domain and the

lack of research for evidence-based policy are inconsistent.

• Take different motives for research into account in research management

4SCAR COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP AKIS

5SCAR COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP AKIS

Table S.1 Two types of motivation for research

Aspect Science driven research Innovation driven researchIncentive to program a topic Emerging science that can contribute to

solving a societal issue (or a scientific question)

An issue / problem in society that can be solved by new research, or a new idea to solve an existing issue

Participation of users In demonstration phase / via research dissemination

In agenda setting, defining the problem and during the research process

Quality criteria Scientific quality Relevance (for the sector or a region)Focus Research organisations Networks of producers and users of

knowledge

Diffusion model Linear model System (network) approachType of government policy Science / Research Policy Innovation PolicyEconomic line of thinking (see table 2.1)

Macro-economics Systems of innovation

Finance To a large extent public money: more speculative and large spill over effects

Public-private partnerships very possible / advantageous

The role of the EU Efficiency of scale (member states often too small), smart specialisation between member states, create European research market with harmonisation of hard-

and soft infrastructures

Stimulate interaction and learning in Europe between national/regional AKIS.Enable in CAP innovation by networks with farmers

Typical EU examples Horizon 2020, FP7, ERC, some ERAnets, Joint Programming Initiatives

CAP: European Innovation Partnership, LEADER, European Technology Platforms, EIPs, some ERAnets

Type of research Interdisciplinary with absorption capacity in AKIS (to work with material science, ICT, chemistry etc.).

Transdisciplinary

and translational with close inertactions.

DIFFERENT MOTIVES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED

Different objectives, methods, and public rolesManagement of interaction needed

Link with EU proposals

TARGET GROUPS

Innovation: 3 mln 75%

Social Innovation: 6

mln 1.6%

Knowledge transfer?

Some new farm systems

Role of EU policy

The overall direction to foster smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is very welcome, and raises expectations

Be clear on the motives for research programmes – especially Horizon 2020 could have several program lines

(basic science, science-driven and innovation driven-R&D in PPP, cross overs, harmonisation infrastructures, intra-

EU transfer, policy support, etc.)

Be aware that the CAP has had a ‘centralist’

character for 50 years, innovation is local. Be aware that a lot of your money will be wasted –

and otherwise you are crowding

out markets. Organise monitoring (renew FADN)

Innovation is a business strategy that should be in line with the food chain strategy and regional strategy. In the EU it will help smart specialisation

In conclusion

Mandate CWG AKIS-2 (main points)

Best practices in promoting innovation through operational groups, transfer this experience in Europe; how is it possible to improve significantly the exchange of knowledge within Europe ? How to promote education and training as a central element of innovation policy ?

Recommendations on how to link effectively Rural Development Programmes with research activities in Horizon 2020, the EraNets, JPIs, etc..? Could researchers be more incentivised

to interact with farmers

and enterprises ? On what criteria can we evaluate research, other than academic excellence ?

Act as an advisory group to the EIP network facility and to guide the work of FP7 programmes tackling the issue of AKIS, like the SOLINSA and ProAKIS

projects etc.

Activities: 6 workshops

Brussels –

Flemish government (2012) develop working plan

Brussels –

Spanish government (2012) what is an operational group, what not, how could it work ?

Rome (November 2012) innovative innovation policies

The Hague (January 2013) on the concept of thematic networks and innovation themes for the EIP

Helsinki (April 2013) on cross border cooperation and on ICT to support innovation processes

Dublin (June 2013) on incentives for research and others to participate in the EIP; how to link EIP-Horizon2020; Participation in the Dublin conference on farm advisory services

Two studies commissioned (from PRO AKIS budget)

Competitive call launched in January

The role of ICT in fostering innovation: an analyses of best practices and recommendations for the EIP (ICROFS)

How to evaluate researchers and incentivize

them to participate in innovation projects in partnership with other stakeholders (FIBL)

Will be substantial chapters in the end report / policy brief

Finalising the work

Interesting material also comes from FP7 projects:

●

Solinsa

●

PRO AKIS

●

Valerie

Draft report or policy brief to be written this summer

Publication around December 1 by DG Research ?

An event for presentation ??

2014: SCAR cwg

AKIS-3 ???

Planned

results:

•Tools and methods for practitioners that are involved in learning and innovation in agriculture

•Recommendations on policy instruments and financial arrangements that support learning and 

innovation for sustainable agriculture 

•Concepts to reflect on learning and innovation processes as drivers of transition to

sustainable rural 

development

More information:

www.solinsa.net; contact:

heidrun.moschitz@fibl.org

Funded by European Commission GA 311994

Prospects for Farmers‘ Support: Advisory Services in European AKIS

(PRO AKIS)

EU FP 7 coordination and support action

A brief project presentation

Farmers are facing changing political conditions and a strong pressure from markets and citizens to adjust and to innovate. They need timely access to knowledge and information, to training and education and to facilitating and supporting services.

It is the overall purpose of PRO AKIS to contribute to the performance of advisory services within the European AKIS so that they can better provide relevant and reliable knowledge to farmers and other rural actors.

Brief project presentation 17

Introduction and objectives

We understand advisory services as the entire set of organizations that will enable the farmers to co-produce farm-related solutions by establishing service relationships with advisers so as to produce knowledge, exchange information, and enhance skills.

We understand agricultural knowledge and information or innovation systems as concepts that represent linkages between people and institutions to promote mutual learning and generate, share, and utilize agriculture related technology, knowledge, information and innovation.

We use this concept with an infrastructural view to highlight the presence and interactions of actors and the infrastructures that govern the behavior of actors in knowledge exchange and innovation processes in the course of time.

Brief project presentation 18

Definitions

PRO AKIS will

1.Develop a conceptual framework on advisory services within AKIS

2.Elaborate an inventory of AKIS institutions and interaction in the EU-27

3.Study and assess patterns of advisory services and knowledge flows, in particular

small-scale farmers‘ access to relevant and reliable knowledge

linkages and gaps between research systems and farming practices

scientific research and farmers‘ demands for knowledge

Rural networks to enhance innovation processes

4. Integrate expert panel‘s feedback and participatively assess project‘s outputs

5. Assure broad dissemination of findings and provide evidence- based policy recommendations

PRO AKIS work package structure

Brief project presentation 19

Activities and work packages

• a conceptual framework for the assessment of the manifold AKIS in Europe

• an inventory of AKIS institutions and interactions in the EU-27 as a searchable database

• comparative analyses and assessments of successes, strengths and weaknesses of specific knowledge systems through case studies

• increased international and inter-regional exchange of AKIS stakeholders on the performance of advisory services within the various AKIS in Europe and

• policy recommendations for strengthening European agricultural innovation systems

Brief project presentation 20

Expected results

University of Agriculture, Krakow (UAK)

Knowledge Centre for Agriculture (VFL)

Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) &

James-Hutton Institute (JHI)

Agricultural University Plovdiv (AUP)

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)

University Trás-o-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD)

Brief project presentation 21

University of Hohenheim

The consortium partners

Website: www.proakis.eu

krijn.poppe@wur.nl

Thanks for your attention