Work Area 2 (WA2) of the LiveNet project focuses on strengthening advisory services in livestock farming by identifying, evaluating, and validating Innovative Advisory Practices (IAPs) across Europe. It comprises two key work packages — WP4 and WP5 — that work together to promote effective, locally adapted advisory solutions while fostering cross-European learning.
WP4, “Identifying and Evaluating Innovative Advisory Practices,” aims to build a shared methodology for spotting and assessing promising advisory practices in livestock management. Through a multi-actor co-design process, the project will define evaluation criteria, launch the first IAP collection round through national networks, and develop an interactive e-library to showcase these practices. This process integrates digital tools, socio-technical elements, and sustainability metrics to ensure relevance and adaptability. The result will be a transparent and inclusive system that highlights impactful advisory methods.
Building on this, WP5, “Validation and Cross-European Learning,” takes the process further by testing and refining IAPs in real-world settings. This involves a second collection round with expanded participation, including country pairings for peer learning. Activities such as cross-border visits and peer exchange sessions will support the validation process. The outcome will be a curated portfolio of 100 validated IAPs, translated into national languages and integrated into the EU digital hub for wider access and scalability.
Together, WP4 and WP5 aim to enhance advisory effectiveness, encourage locally adapted innovations, and support peer-to-peer learning among livestock advisors. By combining grassroots insights with EU-level coordination, WA2 plays a vital role in fostering more sustainable and resilient livestock advisory systems
