Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OrganicAdviceNetwork (Reaching 25% organic farmland in the EU by stronger and better-connected organic advisors and organic advisory services)
Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-09-30
The EU has set the target of reaching at least 25% organic farmland by 2030. This requires the entry of about 700,000 new farmers into the organic sector, more than doubling of the current organic land area and a substantial increase in supply chains and the complete range of support services.
Skilled and well-connected advisors with organic competences are essential to reach this target. We estimate that the sector needs about 15 000 advisors in the EU who can support the new organic farmers.
OrganicAdviceNetwork supports this by creating a strong European network of experienced and new advisors with organic farming expertise, offering in-person and online knowledge exchange and training (cross visits, workshops, e-learning etc.). Moreover, the project will strengthen the development of organic advice through policy recommendations and better connect advisors with actors in the AKIS system.
In November 2025, more than 3130 persons from 120 countries joined the OrganicAdviceNetwork network with 43% being farm advisors, newcomers, and students interested in organic advice.
Skilled and well-connected advisors with organic competences are essential to reach this target. We estimate that the sector needs about 15 000 advisors in the EU who can support the new organic farmers.
OrganicAdviceNetwork supports this by creating a strong European network of experienced and new advisors with organic farming expertise, offering in-person and online knowledge exchange and training (cross visits, workshops, e-learning etc.). Moreover, the project will strengthen the development of organic advice through policy recommendations and better connect advisors with actors in the AKIS system.
In November 2025, more than 3130 persons from 120 countries joined the OrganicAdviceNetwork network with 43% being farm advisors, newcomers, and students interested in organic advice.
Development OrganicAdviceNetwork.space the learning and community space for the European network of advisors and advisory services with organic farming expertise.
Mapping of advisors and advisory services with organic competences across Europe including information about location, expertise, contact data, sizes of organisation, financing models. Results can be found in D1.1 on the project website.
Assessment of financial support measures for organic advisory services including CAP interventions and beyond in 13MS (HU, ES, PT, FR, AT, IT, DK, RO, BG, EE, DE, HR, BE). Results can be found in D3.1 on the project website.
Assessment of educational systems related to organic farming including academic education and continuous professional development in the 13 above-mentioned MS and Switzerland. Results can be found in D3.2 on the project website.
Organization of 14 cross visits for agricultural advisors to get insights into innovative organic farming practices and to meet, exchange with and learn from peers. Cross visits were attended by more than 200 participants from 23 European countries.
Organization of the Organic Advice Contest aiming at spotlighting successful financial models and advisory methods and tools of organic advisory services.
Collection, selection and upload of 59 tools supporting organic advisors in their work on the Organic Farm Knowledge Platform.
Mapping and identification of five key areas of knowledge gaps where more support and information for organic advisors is needed. Results can be found in D5.1 on the project website.
Development of Basic Course exploring the fundamentals of organic farming and advice in 12 sessions (see OrganicAdviceNetwork.space for more information)
Collection, selection and upload of 59 tools serve organic advisors in their work on the Organic Farm Knowledge Platform.
Organization of an online workshop on soft skills for agricultural advisors together with Horizon Europe projects STRATUS and AdvisoryNetPest.
Mapping of advisors and advisory services with organic competences across Europe including information about location, expertise, contact data, sizes of organisation, financing models. Results can be found in D1.1 on the project website.
Assessment of financial support measures for organic advisory services including CAP interventions and beyond in 13MS (HU, ES, PT, FR, AT, IT, DK, RO, BG, EE, DE, HR, BE). Results can be found in D3.1 on the project website.
Assessment of educational systems related to organic farming including academic education and continuous professional development in the 13 above-mentioned MS and Switzerland. Results can be found in D3.2 on the project website.
Organization of 14 cross visits for agricultural advisors to get insights into innovative organic farming practices and to meet, exchange with and learn from peers. Cross visits were attended by more than 200 participants from 23 European countries.
Organization of the Organic Advice Contest aiming at spotlighting successful financial models and advisory methods and tools of organic advisory services.
Collection, selection and upload of 59 tools supporting organic advisors in their work on the Organic Farm Knowledge Platform.
Mapping and identification of five key areas of knowledge gaps where more support and information for organic advisors is needed. Results can be found in D5.1 on the project website.
Development of Basic Course exploring the fundamentals of organic farming and advice in 12 sessions (see OrganicAdviceNetwork.space for more information)
Collection, selection and upload of 59 tools serve organic advisors in their work on the Organic Farm Knowledge Platform.
Organization of an online workshop on soft skills for agricultural advisors together with Horizon Europe projects STRATUS and AdvisoryNetPest.