In 2012, the European Commission launched the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) as a tool for ‘speeding up’ innovation in agriculture, forestry and related sectors across the European Union (EU) by means of collaboration and knowledge sharing between diverse actors. There is, however, ample evidence to show that the capacity to innovate varies widely across the EU, both between Member States and regions, as well as organisations, sectors, innovation partnerships and projects. A Common Framework for Multi-level Capacity Development (CF4CD) is required to address this ‘innovation gap’. In other words, it is necessary to develop the ‘functional capacities’ (i.e., ‘soft skills’ such as the ability to listen, reflect and learn) needed by diverse actors across the EU to utilise and co-ordinate technical capacities. The proposed CF4CD consists of five core elements, namely (1) a focus on development of the functional capacities necessary for the effective implementation of the EIP-AGRI (2) on three (micro-, meso- and macro-) levels (3) through five capacity development (CD) principles (4) by the adoption and adaptation of existing CD support mechanisms (5) based upon a self-assessment tool for functional capacity. The five CD principles are (1) enhance networking and collaboration, (2) work with diversity, (3) create space and ability to act, (4) foster reflection and learning, and (5) promote fair governance on multiple levels. This Policy Brief is addressed, in particular, to policy makers and programme managers at EU, national and regional levels, especially (but not only) those concerned with the implementation of the EIP-AGRI. As well as describing the CF4CD, this Policy Brief introduces the reader to several support mechanisms that are currently used by the European Commission in various domains for developing the capacity of relevant actors to implement EU policy and which have the potential to be adopted and adapted to the EIP-AGRI.

This Policy Brief has been developed by the two EU projects LIAISON and PREMIERE, which aim to contribute to capacity building for multi-actor co-creation in farming, forestry, and rural areas.