On 14 May 2025, five EU-funded Thematic Networks organised a high-impact online workshop titled “The Future of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups: Challenges, Opportunities and Existing Support Services.” Bringing together a wide range of European stakeholders, the event fostered a dynamic exchange of practical tools, field-tested insights, and strategic approaches aimed at advancing innovation in agriculture through more effective Operational Groups (OGs).
This collaborative initiative was developed under the Standing Liaison Round Table (SLRT) – an original concept initiated and actively led by FOCUS Strategic Thinking Consultants within the framework of the BBioNets project. FOCUS STC not only conceptualised and established the SLRT, but has been instrumental in coordinating its operations to promote cross-project knowledge sharing and transnational synergies among Horizon Europe projects.
Collaboration in Action
Guided by the event’s unifying motto – “Collaboration in Action: Unlocking the Potential of OGs” – the workshop brought together both project-level partners and OG practitioners to explore how closer collaboration can overcome structural and operational barriers in the innovation ecosystem.
Participating projects included BBioNets, FOREST4EU, NUTRI-KNOW, Soil-X-Change, and AQUAGRI-KNOW, each contributing complementary expertise and resources reflecting their respective stages of development – from recently initiated projects to mature, long-running collaborations.
A standout element of the workshop was the direct involvement of Operational Group representatives, whose hands-on experiences brought valuable perspective to the discussions. Their input ensured that strategic conversations with EU CAP Network officers and policy-level actors remained firmly rooted in day-to-day realities.
Strategic Leadership by FOCUS
As both the initiator and manager of the SLRT, FOCUS STC played a central role in designing the event format, aligning objectives across participating projects, and ensuring strategic coherence in the outcomes. The firm’s expertise in stakeholder facilitation and systemic thinking enabled productive engagement between field-level actors and institutional stakeholders—resulting in actionable outputs relevant for both policy and practice.
Key Themes Explored
The workshop addressed a number of core themes influencing the development and long-term viability of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups:
The event served not just as a moment of knowledge exchange, but as a demonstration of how multi-level collaboration can be intentionally structured to maximise learning and impact.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, the workshop outcomes will be captured in a forthcoming summary report containing concrete findings and recommendations. The participating networks also signalled strong interest in continuing joint actions to elevate the visibility, replicability, and effectiveness of OGs across Europe.
As the coordinating entity behind the SLRT and a strategic partner in BBioNets, FOCUS STC remains committed to fostering cooperation, facilitating targeted dialogue, and building bridges between innovation actors in agriculture and the bioeconomy.
To watch the recording of the workshop or to access the resources shared, please visit the BBioNets dedicated page.
