Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Actors’ cooperation in a Thematic Network

Teamwork is a challenging part in agricultural multi-actor projects. To avoid that bottleneck you should start with the composition of the multi-actor structure based on a thorough actors’ analysis carried out before the project started.

All relevant actors in the project should be involved in the core group right from the start of the project. At least at the beginning of the network’s formation process, the project should have enough visibility.

For that purpose, you need to have a clear understanding of the motivations of different actors to be involved in the network, and keep the dialogue on an equal basis, valuing their knowledge and experience. Participatory methods are effective when they meet the needs of the actors. It is important to consider good facilitation operated by a professional moderator:

• set a trust-based ecosystem of actors

• start building a sustainable network of actors

• maintain mutual understanding between actors

• define the role of each actor; the roles must be complementary to each other

• adopt understandable language for different actor groups.

Successful interaction: E.g. use social media to provide external actors with information about the main principles of the created network, main planned activities, and potential benefits for the end-users. These informative involvement activities need to be well defined specifically to catch the interest of potential actors.

But also try to reach the end-user (farmer, forester) indirectly at the conceptualisation phase by involving such as key intermediaries such as farmers’ organisations; the agro-industry; existing networks linked to farmers and foresters, National Rural Networks, advisors, educators and trainers, and the rural community at large.

Source Project
EURAKNOS
Ongoing | 2019-2021
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Belgium
Project details

Project Keywords