As Knowledge Transfer experts, ERINN always seeks new opportunities to apply our tried and tested methodology to ensure that innovative knowledge has an impact in the move to a sustainable future.
One example is ERINN’s role in CAP Network Ireland, the national network dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development. Co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) for a five year period (2023-2027), the Network promotes networking, innovation and funding opportunities under Ireland’s CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Strategic Plan.
Working in partnership with the Network coordinators, Irish Rural Link, and Munster Technological University, ERINN brings our insights and experience in bridging the gap from research to policy, industry and society. In addition to supporting communication activities within the Network, ERINN manages and implements the Network’s Innovation Hub.
The new CAP supports agriculture and communities in making a strong contribution to the goals of the European Green Deal. Within this context, the Innovation Hub has a specific objective to support the development and sharing of innovative ideas and solutions to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of farming and of rural areas. The Hub’s key activities include:
- Mapping and sharing funding opportunities,
- Knowledge and innovation scoping,
- Facilitating knowledge exchange,
- Enabling knowledge sharing and uptake.
The team are currently focusing on two thematic pilots to identify innovations which are relevant to the Irish Horticulture and Organic sectors.
Horticulture is one of the most carbon efficient sectors in Irish agriculture, with the potential to have further positive impact by expanding environmentally sound practices and applying developing technologies. An overarching goal of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 is to grow a more profitable value-added sector driven by sustainability and innovation. The strategy addresses the need for collaboration and emphasizes the importance of innovation for long-term growth. The pilot is exploring potential solutions surrounding growing media, resource efficiency, circularity, crop diversification, policy, collaboration models, and improving farmers position in the marketplace. Please contact Róisín Fitzgerald, roisin@erinn.eu for more information.
For the Organics sector, the target set by the Government Plan is to reach 7.5% of the total area cultivated in organic farming by 2027, while the target of the Climate Action Plan is to reach 10% of the total area cultivated in organic farming by 2030. To achieve this, policies and measures are needed to both reduce carbon emissions while increasing the carbon stocks generated by organic production in Ireland. Some of the topics covered in the pilot relate to integrated and holistic practices and methodologies, such as ones to reduce the intake of fertilisers and chemicals into the soil, as well as examples of organic consumption and production models promoted in other countries. Please contact Carina Castanheta, carina@erinn.eu for more information.
The knowledge collected during the two pilots will be shared with experts to determine its potential to address key challenges and gaps facing these sectors and to provide insights into how to bring the knowledge forward for maximum impact. ERINN and the CAP Network team will then map the next steps and work with various stakeholders to accelerate the uptake of the knowledge.
Visit the CAP Network Ireland site for further information or contact the ERINN team to discuss how we can support your Knowledge Transfer needs.
