Background information

As of October 2025, approximately 4,700 EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) have been reported to the European Commission. Most of these projects are connected to the previous CAP programming period, with only about 600 reported under CAP 2023-2027. In the current period, Member States must report EIP-AGRI OGs from the project's start. To meet the goal of roughly 6,000 projects across the EU by the end of the current CAP, additional efforts and an increased pace will be necessary. In this context, this workshop provided an opportunity to take stock and exchange on experiences and practices on the implementation of EIP-AGRI OGs, as well as the better and wider use of the projects’ results.

In addition, the roles of the European and National CAP Networks are closely interconnected, as defined in Article 126 of the CAP Regulation ((EU) 2021/2115). This article emphasises that a core objective of the EU CAP Network is to actively support and collaborate with the activities of National CAP Networks - and vice versa. This event addressed such collaboration in the form of support for EIP-AGRI OGs, as well as broader activities aimed at promoting innovation, peer-to-peer learning, and knowledge exchange.

Another key task of the European and National CAP Networks is to create links with other Union-funded networks and strategies, including the Horizon Europe programme, its supporting implementation structures (National Contact Points), and its multi-actor projects. The work of NNs and Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) is connected through EIP-AGRI, where, for example, several Horizon Europe thematic networks directly build on EIP-AGRI OGs outcomes and involve project partners in sharing valuable results. Both the NNs and the NCPs are tasked with contributing to the dissemination, quality of implementation and networking of relevant stakeholders under their respective policies. Strengthening the collaboration between NNs and NCPs is therefore necessary to enhance the impact of Horizon Europe and CAP implementation of innovation and knowledge sharing across European agriculture and rural development.

Objectives

In line with the priorities identified through the survey consultation and feedback from Member States, the workshop addressed three overarching aims:

Within these themes, the workshop pursued the following specific objectives:

1. facilitate peer-to-peer learning between CAP NNs and Managing Authorities on EIP-AGRI OG implementation under CAP 2023–2027: highlighting lessons learned from the ongoing and the past programming period, challenges and exemplary practices across Member States, including activities throughout the project lifespan, ensuring post- project continuity and partner engagement
2. identify effective roles and capacity building needs of NNs in supporting the collection of information, dissemination, upscale and uptake of OG results into practice, as well as facilitating collaboration among OGs
3. explore how NNs can use and manage practical knowledge hubs to gather and process information from different sources and translate it into practical solutions for specific users and needs and ensure the long-term access and usability of the information
4. strengthen collaboration and synergies between NNs and NCPs to:
   
   • enhance and promote connections between Operational Groups and Horizon projects.
   • foster the involvement of farmers, advisors, and OG representatives in EU research and innovation opportunities
   • support the flow of results and outreach for multi-actor projects between the EU and the national level.

Main target groups

The main target groups for this workshop were National/regional CAP Networks, CAP Managing Authorities, AKIS Coordination bodies, and Horizon Europe National Contact Points.

Participation in this workshop was by invitation only.

For registered workshop participants only

Visit the virtual event platform to connect with other participants and access all event documents. The platform is up until one month after the event.