the Basque Country
In the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, agriculture and livestock are strategic sectors within the agri-food chain. In this context, the AKIS system of the Basque Country presents a large number of agents from the public and private sectors, supported by public policy actions such as the PAC Euskadi Manual 2023-2027 , the Viva Strategy for Innovation and Cooperation , the Euskadi Science, Technology and Innovation Plan 2030 (PCTI 2030), the Strategic Plan for Gastronomy and Food of the Basque Country 2024 and the Official Control Plan of the Agri-Food Chain 2021-2025 .
Research and development activities are carried out within the university and specialized institutes, supported by a distributed administrative structure under the "Law of Historical Territories" ( Law 27/1983 ). In turn, the technical and economic management centers integrate numerous producer associations in the Community, a situation that reinforces a highly structured and dynamic regional system.
The image shows the groups of public and private agents in a regional AKIS and their relationships with each other:
- Agents that generate knowledge.
- Public sector agents.
- Agents dedicated to training.
- Agents of the agri-food sector.
- Advice.
AKIS agents and interactions
Agents dedicated to the generation of knowledge
- University of the Basque Country ( UPV ).
- NEIKER : Research center focused on agricultural, livestock, agri-food, and environmental fields.
- Basque Foundation for Food Safety (ELIKA ): A foundation whose mission is to achieve safer, healthier, and more sustainable food in the Basque Country, facilitating collaboration between all stakeholders in the Basque food ecosystem.
- Basque Foundation for Rural, Coastal and Food Development ( HAZI ): A regional government entity responsible for coordinating and catalyzing strategic projects to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of the food and forestry value chain, as well as revitalizing the rural and coastal environment of the Basque Country.
- AZTI Foundation /Technology Center: Scientific and technological center that develops high-impact transformation projects in the agricultural and agri-food sector.
- Basque Culinare Center : An ecosystem that combines training, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship with the goal of developing and promoting gastronomy.
- Tecnalia Healthy Eating : Applied research center focused on smart manufacturing, digital transformation, energy transition, sustainable mobility, personalized health, urban ecosystems, and the circular economy.
- LEARTIKER Technology Center : Center focused on the training and research of food and polymers.
Public sector agents
Agents dedicated to training
- You can consult the Institutes and Vocational Training Centers in the Community by clicking here .
- Agricultural Schools.
Agents of the agri-food sector
- Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): EHNE , ENBA and UAGA .
- Marketing cooperatives: Federation of Agri-Food Cooperatives of the Basque Country.
- Agricultural and livestock associations: ABEREKIN , ARDIEKIN, GARLAN .
- Producers.
- Societies for the promotion of designations of origin and quality brands .
- Professional Colleges: Veterinarians , Agronomists , Agricultural Technicians .
Other agents
- Lursail SL .
- Technical-economic management centers: ABELUR , AGA , LORRA , LURGINTZA and ABERE .
- INNOBASQUE : It is the Basque observatory for innovation that monitors and evaluates Basque science, technology and innovation policies, helps SMEs innovate and provides training in innovation.
Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS
REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
The Euskadi 2030 Science, Technology, and Innovation Plan (PCTI 2030) represents the Basque Country's strategic commitment to research and innovation. Its vision is to position the Basque Country among the most advanced European regions in innovation by 2030, thus improving the standard of living and the quality of employment. It is a shared strategy between public institutions, companies, universities, research centers, technology centers, and socioeconomic stakeholders.
The PCTI 2030 also reflects and represents Basque society's commitment to a better future. Its mission is to promote science, technology, and innovation to accelerate the transition toward a more digital, greener, and more inclusive Basque Country.
Within its Axis 1 – Economic Recovery, the Food Industry is included as one of its driving policies.
CAP 2023-2027
Within the scope of the common agricultural policy, the Basque Country allocates the following budget and actions to three of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:
- 7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €1.50 million. The types of operations are established based on their purpose:
- Creating added value by linking research and agricultural practices, as well as promoting the use of innovative measures.
- Connecting innovation agents and projects.
- Promote the rapid translation of innovative solutions into practice.
- Inform the scientific community of research needs in agricultural practice.
- 7162 (Cooperation not related to EIP operational groups): €0.83 million.
- 7201 (Training): €0.96 million.
- Aid for vocational training and skills acquisition.
- Grants for demonstration and information activities.
- Grants for short-term exchanges related to the management of agricultural and forestry farms and rural businesses, as well as visits to agricultural and forestry farms and rural businesses.
- Grants for the training of advisors.
TOOLS FOR DYNAMIZATION
Among the classic collaboration mechanisms between system agents, conferences, events, and workshops in which organizations, companies, associations, and individuals participate, KATILU stands out, which is an instrument of the Vice-Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Policy of the Basque Government, in collaboration with Innobasque, Azti Tecnalia, and the public companies: ELIKA Foundation, HAZI, and NEIKER TECNALIA, which aims to build, through action, a culture and innovative dynamic based on cooperation and lifelong learning in the agri-food sector and the rural and coastal environment in the Basque Country.
Dissemination, translated into publications and collaborations between researchers in cooperative projects, is another solid tool that contributes to the transfer of knowledge and, by extension, to the revitalization of the regional AKIS.
