Empowering agricultural advisors in Europe: Key outcomes of the i2connect project

Summary in the original language of the document

The i2connect project focuses on strengthening the role of agricultural advisors within the broader Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), which integrates diverse actors to enhance knowledge-sharing and innovation. The final conference of i2connect was held in Varna, Bulgaria and gathered over 90 participants from across Europe.
Participants learned how understanding the AKIS system can help advisors access information and build partnerships for more effective work. i2connect has facilitated comparative AKIS reports, helping partner countries identify their strengths and areas for development.
In interactive innovation, advisors collaborate with various stakeholders to commonly find solutions for agricultural challenges. i2connect collected 40 practical cases of interactive innovation. These insights will be integrated into training programs for advisors, enhancing their skills in fostering innovation.
To sustain these efforts, i2connect organized "train-the-trainer" courses, training over 700 individuals across Europe, and developed an "excellence class" for advisors focusing on human resources, organizational change, and financial structures. While managers initially resisted change, discussions amongst their peers encouraged a shift in mindset.
The conference concluded with reflections on i2connect’s legacy: i2connect has provided clearer frameworks and tools for interactive innovation. It has strengthened connections within European advisory networks, laying a foundation for future collaborations in EU initiatives like ModernAKIS and Atractiss, and advancing the role of advisors in innovation-driven agriculture.