Castile and León

REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

The Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3) of Castile and León for the period 2021-2027 builds on the progress made in the RIS3 2014-2020 and represents a further step toward advancing the economic transformation of our economy and our society. This transformation, for this new period, faces the challenges of the digital and ecological transitions, as well as the need to make Castile and León competitive, sustainable, and resilient (with organizations and structures capable of withstanding critical situations).

The three priorities for smart specialization in Castile and León are Castile and León, a region with quality of life; Castile and León, a carbon-neutral and fully circular region; and Castile and León, a commitment to smart manufacturing and cybersecurity. These priorities include aspects such as Agrifood, Agriculture and Livestock 4.0, the Bioeconomy, and a sustainable approach to primary sector activities, preserving biodiversity, promoting the circular economy, and minimizing the carbon footprint.

The strategic opportunity of the sector is evident in the general objective and axes 8 and 10 of the IV Framework Agreement for Business Competitiveness and Innovation by “promoting the adaptation of our economy and our productive fabric to the transformation process that is being experienced globally, based, fundamentally, on the ecological transition and the digital transformation, which facilitates sustainable economic growth aimed at achieving secure, stable and quality employment” ( IV Agreement for business competitiveness and innovation of Castilla y León 2021-2027: 37 ).

CAP 2023-2027

Within the scope of the Common Agricultural Policy, Castile and León allocates the following budget and actions to four of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:

• 7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €0.66 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 other than EIP operational groups): €6.88 million.
  • 7201 (Knowledge exchange and information dissemination): €3.39 million. To address the needs listed above, this intervention will focus on the following activities: Support 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.
  • 4. Aid for the training of advisors.
• 7202 (Advice): €9.53 million
  • Grants to help obtain advisory services.
  • Grants for the creation of management, replacement and advisory services.
  • Aid for the provision of tutoring services.

TOOLS FOR DYNAMIZATION

The production of knowledge and innovation in the Community is rich, as are the stakeholders within the regional system that facilitates their transfer. In this sense, the inertia achieved is complemented by new and strengthened synergies and collaborations among stakeholders in the Castilian-Leonese regional AKIS system to facilitate the management of climatic, demographic, technological, economic, and social circumstances, and to stimulate investment and public-private partnerships through innovative projects and productive collaborations between large and small producers, processors, marketers, and researchers.

Therefore, the regional knowledge and innovation transfer system (AKIS) must strengthen its dynamics with new commitments and shared agendas, joint modernization and digitalization projects, scientific outreach conferences and events, technical and vocational training, advice and publications in different formats to reinforce the competitiveness, adaptability and sustainability of the Castilian-Leonese agricultural sector and project it to the local, national and international markets in line with smart specialization ( Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) of Castile and León 2021-2027 ). In this sense, it is more important to strengthen the alliance system and activate "an open innovation model (for) the articulation of knowledge transfer mechanisms that allow not only to enrich the activity carried out, but also to promote the culture of innovation." ( ITACYL. Knowledge Transfer Program: 4 ).

Finally, the importance of the regional system's activity in the territorial articulation and consolidation of the social fabric through businesses, organizations, consultants, public entities, and Local Action and Rural Development Groups ( RedPAC Operational Groups and Innovative Projects Viewer ) cannot be overlooked. Each and every one of these agents, within their framework of action and available resources, facilitates the transfer of knowledge, experiences, and innovations among themselves, ultimately impacting the sector's productivity and competitiveness, as well as social well-being.

INTEGRATION OF ADVISORY IN AKIS

Advisory grants are an important development lever for improving the sustainable management and overall performance of agricultural and forestry holdings, and are a key factor in stimulating the transfer of knowledge and innovation among regional AKIS stakeholders.

In Castile and León, assistance can be requested by providers of advisory services to agricultural and forestry farms that are, in general, entities, organizations, or legal entities, whether for-profit or non-profit, directly related to the agricultural, forestry, agri-food, and/or rural sectors.

• Resolution designating the entities selected to provide advisory services to farms within the framework of the strategic plan of Spain's Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027, co-financed by the EAFRD .
• Link to process aid for the provision of advisory services to agricultural and forestry farms (2025) .

AKIS CyL

AKIS CyL is a model for innovation in the agri-food value chain that requires the collaboration of multiple stakeholders—farmers, ranchers, researchers, and industry professionals—to build the future of the agri-food sector. The model is structured into eight sectoral groups:

• EXTENSIVE HERBACEOUS CROPS. For more information, click here.
• VITICULTURE. For more information, click here.
• INTENSIVE CROPS. For more information, click here.
• 3S AGRI-FOOD. More information by clicking here
• BEEF AND BRAVE BEEF. For more information, click here.
• SHEEP AND GOATS. For more information, click here.
• PORK. For more information, click here.
• CROP NUTRITION. For more information, click here.