Our Work

Work Package 5 (Analysis and recommendations – Analytical framework / Calendar of local workshops / Lessons learned and recommendations)

The main WP5 objective is to perform an integrated assessment of the data collected and lessons learned in WP2, 3, 4 and 5.  The outcomes of the integrated assessment will be policy recommendations.

The specific objectives of WP5 are:

• Research protocol for multi-level integrated assessment (micro, meso, macro) of all project results, plus the integration and analysis of all project findings coming from other WPs.
• Exploration of future transition pathways by the putting into action the Socio-Technical Scenario method in interactive workshops with stakeholders.
• Lessons for targeted stakeholders (advisors, farming stakeholders, policy makers) on improving the farming advice system.

Under WP5, and in cooperation with WP1, the methodology for integrated assessment will be designed and then, through extensive consultation with WP leaders, it will be coordinated / matched with the methodologies of the other WPs.  This will include coordinating efforts in data collection and analysis regarding the case studies in WP2 (all partner countries), organizing the Living Labs (WP3), and assessing the governance of advisory services in WP4 (all partner countries).

Also under WP5, the Socio-Technical Scenario (STS) method will be used to test future transition pathways for reaching promising configurations of advisory services supporting sustainable agriculture in various contexts.  The STS will take a participative approach using scenario workshops and will use the preliminary findings of the integrated assessment of results from previous WPs as an input.  For example, WP2 will offer insights into the role of knowledge in farmers’ decision making (especially concerning innovation), as well as the role that different advisers and advisory organizations have during this process.  Of particular interest will be factors influencing the effectiveness of different providers of advice.

Insights from STS workshops will be synthesised with those of the initial assessment (results of WP 2, 3, and 4) as a basis for targeted recommendations for various types of stakeholders (including advisors and policy makers). The policy recommendations will cover methods to:

• improve the performance and effectiveness of advisory services (particularly the networking capacity, potential of micro-FAS to support initiation and implementation of innovations, and impact of the EU-FAS);
• suggestions for governance models and public policy mechanisms,
• contractual arrangements and funding instruments to increase interactivity of advisors enhancing innovation-driven research, and;
• advisory services to support transition towards a more sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.