Study on outcomes achieved by EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects under the CAP 

The study was coordinated by the Evaluation Helpdesk of the EU CAP Network from September 2023 to June 2024. It was based on two surveys, respectively targeting OG project partners, and EIP/innovation stakeholders. The OG survey collected 989 completed questionnaires from 24 Member States and the UK, corresponding to 768 OG projects. The research assessed their main outcomes, and the lessons learnt.

The innovation Stakeholder survey collected a total of 233 completed questionnaires. Moreover, 15 OG projects across several Member States were selected and analysed as case studies.

Operational groups (OG) are the backbone of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), bringing innovation into the agroecosystem and improving its connection with research by bridging research and farming practices with AKIS actors, to promote innovation processes and knowledge exchange in agriculture and forestry. The composition of OG partnerships and the interaction between partners is central to the success of OGs, enabling them to capture grassroots ideas for co-creating innovative solutions for identified challenges or needs, additionally networking with other OGs or Horizon Europe research projects, and thus helping further boost their knowledge.

The study highlights the variety of innovative solutions produced by OGs, encompassing a multitude of innovation areas and knowledge exchanges.

Evidence from specific projects indicates how the most successful projects were those with cooperation experience within the OG partnership, and those promoting OG partners' engagement and communication activities amongst relevant stakeholders.

The study found that innovative solutions of OG projects have a high potential to be transferred and upscaled, benefiting wider communities. Key success factors include showcasing the practical benefits of projects through demonstrations and workshops, along with effective dissemination channels, and ongoing collaboration. Challenges arise from neglecting end-user needs and inadequate training systems. Communication and dissemination, supported by advisors and rural networks, are crucial.

EIP OG calls can be instrumental to co-creating and disseminating innovative solutions, providing positive contributions to advancing innovation in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Multi-actor partnerships with complementary expertise, interacting continuously through a bottom-up approach, allow the spread of innovative solutions, along with necessary dissemination channels. Further simplification could alleviate the administrative burden for OGs, and better promote and improve project outcomes.