Express your interest in joining our new Thematic Groups!
Two new Thematic Groups will start their activities in September and will focus on Water Resilience, and Cooperation in Farming. Calls for expressions of interest are now open.
The EU CAP Network Thematic Groups (TGs) are a privileged platform for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) stakeholders to meet and exchange about specific aspects of the policy implementation. They are a unique platform for networking, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and the exchange of practical experiences that can be replicated in different contexts.
TGs are also a process which demands a certain commitment from TG members, including participation in at least two events and the active exchange of information and knowledge to the benefit of the whole group.
Five TGs are organised every year, tackling the topics defined in our Annual Work Programme. Two new TGs will kick off in September 2025, focusing on Improving Water Resilience in Rural Areas through the CAP, and on Unlocking the Potential of Cooperation.
Each TG will consist of two meetings in autumn-winter 2025, some informal online networking, and joint work on outputs such as policy recommendations and collections of good practices.
Expressions of interest are already open for both TGs, and all CAP stakeholders are welcome to apply! The selection of TG members will take place during the summertime, to be ready to start right after the holiday season.
Improving water resilience in rural areas through the CAP
The main goal of the TG on Improving Water Resilience in Rural Areas Through the CAP will be to examine how to best utilise the CAP’s potential for improving water resilience in rural areas to enable agricultural and rural businesses and communities to withstand climate extremes better. This should promote the greater uptake of actions, such as natural solutions for greater water retention within the landscape, investments required to improve water efficiency or water reuse.
Rural areas in general, and the forestry and agriculture sectors in particular, are severely affected by extreme weather events and water scarcity. Agriculture is the sector responsible for the highest water demand, but also one with a huge potential for water saving, for example through the reduction of losses and leakages, smart farming and irrigation systems, crops adapted to climate change, and improved soil health to increase water retention.
The CAP provides a toolbox and funding to support agriculture, forest, and rural areas in enhancing water efficiency, circularity, and retention via national CAP Strategic Plans. Some Member States are more advanced than others in taking action in this area, and sharing existing experiences can help improve overall water resilience in rural Europe.
Visit the Thematic Group page to learn more and to express your interest in joining this TG before 12 August 2025.
Unlocking the potential of cooperation in farming
Within the context of the current CAP and its aim to ensure the long-term viability and resilience of the EU agricultural sector, the Thematic Group on Unlocking the Potential of Cooperation in Farming will aim to share analysis, insights, experiences, good practices, and innovative ideas on cooperation in farming.
EU agriculture faces significant economic and environmental challenges, which are particularly acute for smaller farms and farmers in economically disadvantaged or geographically challenging regions. Cooperation between farmers can enable them to gain market insights and improve decision-making, pool resources, and gain better access to risk management tools. Ultimately, cooperation can help farming businesses be competitive and resilient, with reduced risks and increased profitability.
The CAP Strategic Plans have the potential to support cooperation in farming. The TG will look at current work across Member States to support business income and resilience across the different CAP interventions, for example, through quality schemes, producer organisations, Smart Villages, forest management plans, or social farming. It will explore barriers and success factors, as well as inspire initiatives outside the CAP that could inform approaches within the CAP.
More information and a link to the expression of interest are available on the Thematic Group page. Applications to join this TG are open until 14 August 2025 COB.
