Highclere Consulting SRL (HCC) and CEMA were at the AKIS Clustering Event, held in Brussels on 26–27 June 2025, and co-organised by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) and DG AGRI.
This two-day event brought together Horizon Europe-funded advisory projects, thematic networks, and other AKIS-related initiatives to foster dialogue and collaboration. Discussions focused on creating synergies, sharing best practices, and developing actionable recommendations to improve advisory services, support the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and help shape the next EU Research & Innovation Framework Programme.
Key Takeaways from the Event
- Exchanging good practices to strengthen advisory services across the EU
- Enhancing cooperation among Horizon Europe and EIP-AGRI projects
- Developing recommendations for a more integrated, innovative, and practical AKIS
- Encouraging knowledge exchange between research projects and on-the-ground practitioners
Aligning with the LiveNet Project
These goals are closely aligned with the mission of the LiveNet Project, which HCC is actively supporting. Represented at the event by Lisa van Dijk, HCC identified several practical opportunities for advancing LiveNet’s impact:
- Connecting national LiveNet networks with livestock-focused Horizon Europe Thematic Networks to promote cross-project collaboration and engage key facilitators and advisors.
- Harvesting Innovative Advisory Practices (IAPs) developed within thematic networks, with the aim of integrating and amplifying their outcomes through LiveNet.
- Co-organising a webinar with the ATTRACTIS project, leveraging their successful WOW webinar series to engage a broader advisory audience.
- Engaging with livestock-related advisory networks, including those focused on organic and ruminant systems, to explore shared opportunities and potential partnerships.
These actions aim to contribute to a more coherent, collaborative, and sustainable advisory ecosystem across Europe, in full alignment with LiveNet’s vision of strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) for the future.
