AKIS context

In the 2014-2022 programming period, the Umbria Region gained considerable experience in managing measures aimed at adopting innovations, training, and advisory services. Through the Innovation Support service provided by the in- house 3A - Technological Agro-food Park of Umbria, the regional Innovation portal (www.piumbria.com) was created a tool for the regional agricultural innovation system, serving farms, research centers, and advisory services providers. Furthermore, a productive animation activity was carried out in close collaboration with the Italian National Rural Network and EIP-AGRI, which included thematic focus groups and annual seminars aimed at disseminating the results of projects and adopted innovations, as well as promoting cooperation among the various components of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) to provide the agricultural system with more coherent tools. Nevertheless, one of the weaknesses of the AKIS system if Umbria Region remains the difficulty in coordination and exchange among the aforementioned AKIS regional actors, as well as a lack in identifying the needs for advisory services, training, and innovation among agricultural, agro-food, and forestry enterprises, particularly concerning the small and micro ones.

The AKIS interventions implemented under the 2023-2027 Rural Development Complementary Programme (RDCP) of Umbria include:

• Support for EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (Ogs).
• Support for pilot actions and innovation testing.
• Cooperation for actions supporting innovation and services aimed at the agricultural. forestry, and agro-food sectors.
• Provision of advisory services.
• Training of advisors.
• Training of farmers and agricultural workers.
• Demonstrative actions for the agricultural/forestry sector and rural areas.
• Back-office services for AKIS.

Rationale

The political relevance given to AKIS strategies in the context of the CAP Strategic Plans (SPs)2023-2023 has certainly highlighted the opportunity of defining governance bodies aimed at coordinating the AKIS-relating interventions and actors in view of their better implementation and contribution to the cross-cutting and specific objectives of the CAP SPs.

Particularly, the AKIS coordination body is indicated by the CAP SP 2023-2027 as a point of contact of the European Commission and of the European CAP Network.

In Italy, as a result of the new delivery model and unlike previous programming periods, the 2023-2027 CAP SP is established solely at the national level. However, as Regions/Autonomous Provinces hold agricultural competency under the Constitution, they have set up Complementary Rural Development Programs (RDCPs), which, under the CAP SP framework, have their own governance structures and implement rural interventions relevant to their specific territories at the local level.

This programming approach means that Italy includes one AKIS strategy and a CAP SP-level AKIS coordination body (Chapter 8 of the CAP SP; General Directorate of Rural Development of the Ministry of Agricultural Policies, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry) along with regional AKIS strategies and corresponding AKIS coordination bodies for each Region and Autonomous Province.

The general model of AKIS coordination bodies for Italy is indicated by the CAP SP that mentions a mix of "institutions that have the responsibility/capacity to provide training, advisory services, research, information". Lately, in mid-2024, the Ministry of Agriculture established a national AKIS coordination model which calls for a collective body, composed by representatives of the variety of key AKIS actors.

Under this national framework, the Umbria region has established a Regional AKIS Coordination Committee, in line with the provisions of the Italian CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, to ensure proper implementation of interventions for knowledge, innovation, and digitalization systems in agriculture of the 2023-2027 RDCP of Umbria Region.

In practice

1. Who is the AKIS CB

The Regional AKIS Coordination Body (CB) of the 2023-2027 RDCP of Umbria Region is a collegiate body established under Regulation (EU) No. 2021/2115.
The first meeting of the AKIS CB took place in January 2024, gathering brought together key AKIS actors and stakeholders.

2.    Composition of the AKIS CB

The regional AKIS CB consists of public institutions, accredited private entities, and organizations that, at the regional level, provide and deliver training, advisory service, research, information, digital services, and other AKIS-related services related according to local specifics (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Composition of the AKIS CB of the 2023-2927 RCDP of Umbria

Source: Our elaborations based on Resolution of the Regional Council of Umbria No. 1342 -20/12/2023.

3. Functions attributed to the AKIS CB

The functions of the Regional AKIS CB are:

• To coordinate the definition and implementation of policies for innovation and knowledge in the agricultural and forestry sectors within the regional territory.
• To facilitate dialogue and connections among various institutions at the territorial level.
• To conduct continuous monitoring of the needs of farms and other AKIS actors.
• To facilitate the sharing of available innovations and the flow of information among the different regional organizational levels.
• To identify needs, requirements, and implementation issues of AKIS interventions and the digitalization strategy.
• To discuss proposals from the National AKIS Coordination and facilitate their implementation.

The regional AKIS Coordination Body will define any changes in the regional AKIS strategy, coordinate the implementation of policies for innovation and knowledge in the agricultural, agro-food, and forestry sectors for the Umbria Region.

4. Procedures for interplaying with other AKIS actors and with the MA of the CAP SP

The AKIS CB will interface with the Managing Authority of the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development), ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), ESF (European Social Fund), FSC (Cohesion Fund), with the AKIS National Coordination, the Interregional Network for Agricultural, Forestry, Aquaculture and Fishing Research, and the National CAP Network.

The AKIS coordination body will convene periodically to ensure effective oversight and monitoring of the AKIS Strategy progress, fostering a collaborative environment for ongoing evaluation and strategic alignment.

Practical implications for replicability

The establishment of an AKIS coordination body requires:

• A formal act of establishment of the regional AKIS coordination.
• The definition of a general regulatory framework recognized by all members of the AKIS    coordination body.
• A clear separation of competences, a clear definition of responsibilities, and mutual recognition of respective functions (e.g., technical assistance, research, innovation support services, administrative controls, monitoring and evaluation, etc.) by the members of the AKIS coordination body.
• The definition of internal procedures for coordination meetings and co-decision on action plans for the implementation of the AKIS strategy (internal regulations).

Benefits

• Wide representation of the regional AKIS actors.
• Capacity to identify the needs of various AKIS stakeholders