Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas

The priority at a glance

Knowledge, skills and innovation are the indispensable foundation of sustainable development. Rural development has a long-standing record of stimulating innovation.

Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation is a cross-cutting priority for the 2014-2020 programming period. Measures regarding knowledge transfer or investments have been programmed by Member States with the aim to foster innovation and they will remain available for the period 2014-2020. The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) is the main new element established to interlink existing policies, foster co-operation among partners and build bridges between researchers and rural businesses.

For more information on the priority theme click here [PDFen]

Areas of Intervention (Focus areas)

  1. Fostering innovation and the knowledge base in rural areas.
  2. Strengthening research and innovation links in agriculture and forestry.
  3. Fostering lifelong learning and vocational training in agriculture and forestry sectors.

Access relevant resources, guidance documents and examples of RDP implementation by clicking on the below buttons.

Lessons learned 2007-2013

Links to relevant ENRD work providing a deeper understanding of how to support knowledge transfer and innovation with effective RDP programming and implementation.

  • EU Rural Review 16: Knowledge Transfer and Innovation in Rural Development Policy (May 2013) [PDF en] This issue of the EU Rural Review provides a snapshot of the current understanding of innovation in rural development and a glimpse into future challenges and opportunities. It aims to share insight and to help advance the integration of knowledge exchange and innovation into future rural development policy.
  • The Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Gateway provides a variety of information on institutions, project examples and initiatives that promotes knowledge transfer and innovation in rural areas.
  • The results of ENRD Focus Group that has explored how Knowledge Transfer and Innovation priority can be promoted under the 2014-2020 Rural Develompent Programmes are presented in the following documents:
    • Phase I Report [PDF ] and Executive summary [PDF ] illustrate the findings of the first working phase (July to December 2012). In addition, there are two separate annexes:
      • Annex 1 – Collection of examples supporting Knowledge Transfer & Innovation [PDF ];
      • Annex 2 – Background paper [PDF ].
    • Phase II Reports summarise the findings of the second working phase (February to June 2013):
      • Report on Innovation Brokerage [PDF ] and Annex 2 on Study Material and Information on Actors Supporting Innovation [PDF ]
      • Report on EIP Operational Groups [PDF ]
  • Rural Review 2: Creativity and Innovation in EU Rural Development (Dec 2009) [PDF enfresdeitplhu]. This issue of the EU Rural Review showcases some of the different types of innovation and creativity from EU rural areas.