News

• The new Focus Groups convened by the European CAP Network will address integrated forest fire prevention, innovative fertilization strategies on farms and the protection of fruit trees against extreme weather events
• The call for applications to participate as an expert will remain open until July 31, 2026.
• The three Focus Groups will begin their work between October and November 2026, with meetings scheduled for October 28 and 29 (fertilization), November 18 and 19 (fruit tree protection) and November 25 and 26 (forest fire prevention)

The European CAP Network has launched a new call for applications to select experts to participate in three new Focus Groups focused on innovation, knowledge sharing, and the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability ( EIP-Agri ) initiative. Farmers, foresters, advisors, researchers, and other stakeholders in rural areas can submit their applications until July 31, 2026 .

Focus Groups are temporary, collaborative working groups that bring together professionals with expertise in a specific area to exchange knowledge, identify innovative solutions, and propose new lines of work and research applicable to the agricultural and forestry sector. Furthermore, their results often serve as a basis for the development of future Operational Groups (OGs) and their innovative projects, as well as other innovation projects.

Three new Focus Groups to address emerging challenges

The new call for proposals includes the creation of three working groups aimed at addressing some of the main challenges currently facing the European agricultural and forestry sector:

1. Integrated forest fire prevention

This focus group will analyze how to improve forest fire prevention in Europe through integrated approaches to land and landscape management. Among other aspects, it will study innovative forest management practices, governance mechanisms, business models, and new technological tools aimed at reducing fire risk.

First meeting: November 25 and 26, 2026.

2. Innovative fertilization strategies in agricultural holdings

This group will focus on identifying innovative fertilizer management strategies that reduce dependence on external inputs and nutrient losses while maintaining crop productivity. It will also explore the potential of bio-based, low-carbon, and circular fertilizers.

First meeting: October 28 and 29, 2026.

3. Innovative measures to protect fruit trees against extreme weather events

The third Focus Group will study solutions to help pome and stone fruit growers adapt to increasing climate variability. To this end, it will analyze active and passive protection measures against atmospheric phenomena such as frost, hail, heat waves, droughts, and extreme rainfall.

First meeting: November 18 and 19, 2026.

How to participate

Each Focus Group will consist of up to 20 experts from different professional fields, with the aim of ensuring a balanced representation of knowledge, profiles and territories.

Those interested in participating must submit their application before 31 July 2026 at 23:59 hours through the form provided by the European CAP Network.