Report of the 8th Meeting of the Subgroup on Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (SoIKE)

The report describes the different sessions of the eighth meeting of the Subgroup on Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (SoIKE). This includes a Welcome and introduction, with presentations from Hugo Almeida, Deputy Head of Unit D1 “Rural areas and networks”, DG AGRI, and Orsolya Frizon Somogyi, Deputy Head of ‘Unit F2 - Research and Innovation’, DG AGRI.

During Session I: News from SoIKE members, SoIKE members had the opportunity to share relevant updates and activities aiming to foster innovation and knowledge exchange from their countries or organisations.

In Session II: Future networking activities on innovation and knowledge exchange, Magdalena Mach, Policy Officer Unit D1 “Rural areas and networks”, DG AGRI, presented the booklet with the selection of ideas for future networking activities, and emphasized the crucial role of SoIKE in defining topics for the EIP-AGRI Support Facility Annual Work Programmes (AWP). Following the introduction, participants discussed, in three rounds of breakout discussions, the proposed topics, divided according to CAP General Objectives. They reflected on which topics are the most relevant to them and their stakeholders, why these topics should be taken up in the next AWP, and what could be the main focus and objectives of an activity covering these topics. Participants then prioritised the topics via a voting exercise.

In Session III: Urban farming in sustainable food systems, Isabelle Van Borm, ‘Unit F2 - Research and Innovation’, DG AGRI, presented the contribution of urban farming to sustainable food systems through the lens of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

In the afternoon, SoIKE members visited BIGH Anderlecht – an urban aquaponics farm in Brussels. Here, they had the opportunity to learn about the history and founding of the project, and visit the farm’s fruit and vegetable greenhouse, the fish farm, and the herb greenhouse, as well as the outdoor garden, where a beehive is located.

Hugo Almeida, ‘Unit D1 - Rural areas and networks’ in DG AGRI, thanked SoIKE members for their commitment and contributions to the discussions.

The next meetings will take place on 19 November 2025 (10th SoIKE), 3 March 2026 (11th SoIKE), and 4 June 2026 (12th SoIKE).