Working Group 3: Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in the Western Balkans
Regional Expert Advisory Working Group on AKIS was established in 2019 to assess and enhance research, innovation and technology transfer capacity in the agri-food sector in the Western Balkans (JRC, DG AGRI, WeCR). It was consolidated in Sep 2021 as part of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany-Western Balkans to:
- Represent an “AKIS” knowledge and innovation transfer network, which brings together governments, academia, research, private sector, advisory services.
- Develop on regional and six national policy strategic plans aiming at fostering knowledge and innovation transfer in defined topic areas.
- Develop at least five virtual further education and communication measures for scaling up technical innovations and innovative business models.
The APF Forum calls public authorities of the Western Balkans to enable functional and integrated Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) in the region. This would be a long-term process that could be achieved gradually through steps that focus on the transfer of knowledge pertinent to addressing the impact of the global challenges of food security and climate change. National AKIS action plans should be adopted, leading to enhancing existing and creating new structures and forms of networking, capacity building and knowledge exchange of all actors in the agri-food system. The level of awareness of farmers should be raised on the benefits of the use of knowledge, technology and innovation. Use of all financing mechanisms, including IPARD support for the knowledge – based measures, should be availed of as part of this process.
Presentations from the Working Group 3:
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