Your Knowledge Can Shape the Future of European Agriculture - Join the EU CAP Network Focus Groups

Innovation in agriculture does not begin in a laboratory - it begins in the field, where farmers, advisors, researchers, foresters, entrepreneurs, and innovators tackle real-world challenges every day.

The European Commission recognises that practical experience is one of the most valuable resources for shaping the future of European agriculture.

That is why the EU CAP Network has launched a new call for experts to participate in three Focus Groups dedicated to solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the agrifood sector today.

The newly opened Focus Groups will address three strategic topics that are becoming increasingly important across Europe:

• integrated approaches to forest wildfire prevention,

• innovative on-farm fertiliser strategies, and

• innovative protection measures against extreme weather events in pome and stone fruit orchards.

Bringing together experts from different backgrounds, these groups aim to exchange knowledge, identify practical solutions, and develop recommendations that will influence future agricultural innovation across the European Union.

Applications are open until 31 July 2026, and selected experts will have their travel and accommodation covered by the European Commission.

Link for apply - https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/FGexperts2026

At AgriVentures, we strongly believe that innovation grows through collaboration.

Every successful project starts with people who are willing to share their expertise, test new ideas, and work across sectors. This philosophy perfectly matches the mission of the EU CAP Network Focus Groups, which bring together practitioners and researchers under the EIP-AGRI approach to transform practical challenges into innovative solutions with real impact.

Too often, farmers underestimate the value of their own experience.

Yet the everyday decisions made on farms - how nutrients are managed, how crops are protected against climate risks, or how forests are maintained - provide insights that cannot be found in textbooks alone. The EU CAP Network is looking precisely for these voices: professionals who understand agricultural realities and who are ready to contribute to solutions that can benefit thousands of farms across Europe.

Participation in a Focus Group is much more than attending meetings. It is an opportunity to become part of an international network of innovators, exchange ideas with leading experts, discover successful practices from other Member States, and help shape future research priorities and innovation projects. The recommendations developed within these groups often inspire Operational Groups, Horizon Europe projects, national innovation initiatives, and new policy developments.

For AgriVentures, supporting this innovation journey extends beyond networking. Our mission is to help innovators, farmers, SMEs, researchers, and rural organisations identify opportunities that can transform promising ideas into funded projects. Through the AgriVentures Funding Opportunities Platform, users can discover open European and international funding calls, monitor new grant opportunities, and connect with initiatives that match their expertise and ambitions.

Many excellent ideas never become reality simply because their creators are unaware of available funding.

By combining participation in knowledge networks such as the EU CAP Network with proactive monitoring of funding opportunities, organisations can move from discussion to implementation much faster. Whether you are interested in Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, LIFE, Digital Europe, or other innovation programmes, having timely access to funding information can make the difference between an idea that stays on paper and one that delivers real impact in the field.

The future of European agriculture depends on people who are willing to collaborate, experiment, and share knowledge. Climate change, resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, and food security require solutions that no single organisation can develop alone. They require communities of innovators working together across borders and disciplines

This is your opportunity to become part of that community.

If you have practical experience, innovative ideas, or specialised knowledge related to one of this year's Focus Group themes, consider applying to the EU CAP Network Focus Groups. At the same time, explore the AgriVentures Funding Opportunities Platform to identify funding programmes that can help turn your expertise into impactful projects.

Europe is investing in agricultural innovation - not only through funding, but by investing in people.

Your knowledge could contribute to the next generation of sustainable farming practices, resilient rural communities, and innovative agrifood systems. Don't wait for change to happen. Be one of the people who creates it.

The role of AgriVentures in supporting agrifood innovation

As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as AgriVentures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.

AgriVentures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.

By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, AgriVentures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, AgriVentures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.

More information: https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/news/call-three-new-eu-cap-network-focus-groups-now-open_en