Highlights from the Advanced Training Course on Science-Based Advice for Policy in Agriculture and Environment and Co-Creation Workshop

Several FACCE-JPI researchers & several secretariat members were in attendance

Advanced Training Course on Science-Based Advice for Policy in Agriculture and Environment and Co-Creation Workshop, on November 29-01 December, 2023 in Ghent, brought together leading experts and advisors in the field. The course is organised by the ‘’Ghent Group’’, an informal community of European institutes and individuals working with science-based advice in the fields of agriculture and environment.

Day 1 Highlights (Wednesday, November 29, 2023):

The course commenced with a comprehensive exploration of science-based advice for policy. Keynote speakers included Esther Turnhout (University of Twente), Kristian Krieger (JRC), Lieve Herman (ILVO), Marion Bardy (French Ministry of Agriculture), Guy Richard (INRAE), Raffaella Zucaro, and Veronica Manganiello (CREA). The discussions delved into various concepts of the science/policy interface, experiences in food safety, collective scientific assessment, and agricultural water policies.

The afternoon session focused on the pitfalls and best practices of delivering scientific advice. Facilitators Elke Rogge and Anna Verhoeve (ILVO) presented cases, including Aarhus University's insights into arm's length, transparency, and objectivity, the management of Xylella outbursts, and a session by Gianluca Brunori (SCAR/FACCE) on transforming food systems.

The day concluded with a guided tour of the town and a dinner in downtown Ghent, fostering networking and informal discussions among participants.

Day 2 Highlights (Thursday morning, November 30, 2023):

Day 2 kicked off with a discussion on providing science-based advice in an international context, featuring cases on EU policy expertise by Eligio Malusà (CREA), Jan Tind Sørensen (AU), and Kati Vierikko (SYKE). The session explored the coordination of multi-research fields, harmonization, and collaboration on policy advice at an international level.

The subsequent session, facilitated by Aarhus University delved into the critical role of communication in the science-policy interface. Cases were presented by Cristina Giannetti (CREA), Sandrine Vinzant (INRAE), and Rens Koele (WUR), discussing the case of the Nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands.

The afternoon joint session and co-creation workshop explored the role of stakeholder involvement in science for policy. Nils Ferrand (INRAE) presented the "CoOPLAaGE" R&D program, showcasing innovative participatory methods supporting multi-level management and governance of water and territories. Pascale Frey-Klett (INRAE) and Irene Carravieri (INRAE) highlighted "CiTique," INRAE's participatory research tool/programme on ticks. Giampiero Mazzocchi and Tommaso Pomponi (CREA) shared insights into co-learning from a shared process, focusing on the partnership table with stakeholders in the CAP reform process. The interactive session covered a range of topics, including societal and political interests, scenarios in climate policy planning, and the use of co-creation in the science-policy interface.

The course concluded with final reflections and follow-up discussions, reinforcing the importance of science-based advice in navigating complex policy landscapes.

Want to know more about the organisers or future courses? You can sign up for more information here.