RIO Operational Group: Promotes innovation in the sheep sector with technological and business solutions to improve its profitability, sustainability and competitiveness.

R1 — Sheep Innovation Network Governance Design. Main results: The establishment of the Sheep Innovation Network (SIN) governance, creating a national multi-stakeholder ecosystem. This includes mapping 50 entities, selecting 25 key actors in regions, and establishing between 6 and 8 "Lighthouse Farms" as real-world testing centers, along with the launch of a Digital Resource Center platform. Practical recommendations: Farmers and end users have direct access to a collaborative network that connects them with technology companies, researchers, and advisors. By joining SIN or following the Lighthouse Farms, practitioners can overcome isolation and access personalized support. The main benefit is reducing the risk of adopting new technologies by relying on a structured support system. This network empowers farmers, especially women and young entrepreneurs, to participate in decision-making, share knowledge, and access resources that improve farm management, ultimately increasing competitiveness and paving the way for generational renewal.

R2 — Bottom-Up Co-Identification of Challenges and Opportunities. Main results: bottom-up identification of the challenges and opportunities in the sheep sector. Through 3 participatory regional workshops and 50 in-depth surveys, the project prioritizes needs in six areas: environmental sustainability, profitability, animal welfare, accessible digitalization, product valuation, and generational renewal. Practical recommendations: This result ensures that any innovation developed is aligned with the real, daily problems farmers face. Their specific needs are heard and translated into actionable priorities. By understanding these validated challenges, farmers can identify areas in their own businesses where efficiency and profitability can be improved. The added value lies in focusing efforts on proven bottlenecks—such as high feed costs or low digital adoption—that allow farmers to adopt strategies that directly improve their profit margins and operational resilience.

R3 — Participatory Co-design of Prototypes and Pilot Testing. Main Results: Participatory co-design and initial testing of 6 prototypes adapted to the sheep sector. Using Design Thinking in 3 workshops, multi-stakeholder groups developed cost-effective solutions, prioritizing open-source tools, followed by feasibility analysis and controlled usability testing. Practical Recommendations: Farmers gain access to affordable and customized solutions, specifically designed for the realities of sheep farming, rather than generic tools. The main opportunity lies in adopting prototypes that directly address profitability and efficiency, such as digital management applications or new marketing models. Professionals can use these validated concepts to modernize their operations without facing prohibitive costs. By implementing these co-designed tools, farmers can optimize resource use, reduce their daily workload, and explore new revenue streams, significantly improving their business's economic performance.

R4 — Implementation and Validation in "Lighthouse Farms" Main Results: The intensive implementation and validation of the 6 prototypes in 6 "Lighthouse Farms." This involves installation, customized training, continuous data collection, and a rigorous assessment of technical, economic, environmental, and social impacts, culminating in a Catalog of Validated Solutions. Practical Recommendations: This is the core value for professionals: access to a catalog of solutions proven under real-world farming conditions. Farmers can adopt these technologies with confidence, knowing their exact cost-benefit ratio, productivity gains, and environmental impact. For example, validated digital tools can increase net margins by optimizing feed or improving reproductive control. Professionals should consult the catalog to select solutions that suit their specific farm profile, drastically reducing the financial risk of innovation and achieving tangible improvements in profitability, animal welfare, and daily work efficiency.

R5 — Digitalization and Entrepreneurship Training Program. Main results: A comprehensive digitalization and entrepreneurship training program, delivering 200 hours of courses, personalized mentoring for 8 entrepreneurial projects, and 3 open days at Lighthouse Farms. It also produces practical audiovisual materials, tutorials, and quick guides for using validated prototypes. Practical recommendations: Farmers and rural entrepreneurs are provided with the skills to modernize their businesses. The digital divide is bridged through accessible and practical training. Professionals can use the tutorials and attend open days to learn how to implement new technologies, improve farm management, and explore business diversification (such as direct sales or valuing by-products). This skills enhancement translates directly into better decision-making, increased farm profitability, and new business opportunities, making the sector more attractive to young farmers and empowering women leaders.

R6 — Development and Management of the RIO Digital Resource Center. Main results: The RIO Digital Resource Center. This online platform functions as a dynamic repository containing a catalog of validated solutions, best practices, training materials, an industry news blog, and a discussion forum, complemented by at least four specialized webinars. Practical recommendations: The platform acts as a 24/7 digital advisory center for sheep farmers. Professionals can access step-by-step guides, cost-benefit analyses of new technologies, and expert webinars from anywhere. The main added value is the democratization of knowledge; they can independently research solutions to improve their farm's efficiency, connect with peers in the forum to solve common problems, and stay up-to-date on market trends. Using this free resource allows for informed, data-driven investments that increase productivity and sustainability without the need for expensive private consulting.

R7 — International Visibility, Sustainability, and Replicability of RIO. Main Results: Ensure the international visibility, replicability, and long-term sustainability of RIO. Results include a future funding plan for the network, the adaptation and translation of success stories and validated solutions for the EU FarmBook, and active participation in events. Practical Recommendations: For end users, this ensures that the tools, networks, and knowledge generated will remain available and up-to-date long after the project ends. Farmers benefit from a stable and long-lasting support ecosystem. Furthermore, by integrating the results into European platforms, practitioners gain access to a broader, international set of innovations and market trends. Entrepreneurial farmers can leverage this international exposure to compare their practices with European standards, discover cross-border business opportunities, and adopt globally proven strategies to improve their farm's competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

R8 — Coordination and supervision of project objectives. Main results: Rigorous technical and financial supervision of the project to ensure that all objectives are met. This includes continuous monitoring of indicators, budget control, implementation of contingency plans, regular steering committee meetings, and formal technical and financial justifications and audits. Practical recommendations: Although highly administrative, this result guarantees the reliability and quality of the outcomes delivered to the sector. For practitioners, the main benefit is the assurance that the validated solutions, training programs, and digital resources they receive are backed by strict quality control and efficient use of resources. Farmers can be confident that the innovations promoted by RIO are not only technically sound but also economically viable and developed transparently. This fosters confidence in adopting the project recommendations and improving the operational and financial performance of their own farms.

RD1 — Project Communication Main results: the implementation of a comprehensive Communication and Image Plan for the project. Deliverables include the creation of the project website, active management of social media profiles (LinkedIn, X, Instagram), production of promotional materials (summary sheets, merchandising, corporate video), and regular press releases and interviews. Practical recommendations: This communication strategy ensures that farmers are constantly informed about the project's progress and available resources. Professionals should actively follow the project's social media channels and website to discover new technological opportunities, funding options, and innovative practices as soon as they arise. The main benefit is staying connected to the forefront of the sector. By interacting with these channels, farmers can quickly identify entrepreneurial ideas, learn about cost-saving tools, and connect with a wider professional community, keeping their businesses competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

RD2 — Project Dissemination Main Results: The project's findings will be widely disseminated through four major public events: a Launch Day, an Opportunities Day (presenting sector challenges), a Solutions Day (showcasing designed prototypes), and a Final Results and Closure Day. Practical Recommendations: These events offer direct, face-to-face networking and learning opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Professionals are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions to see live demonstrations of new technologies and business models. The main added value is the ability to interact directly with technology developers, researchers, and pioneering colleagues. By participating, farmers can assess firsthand how new solutions can reduce costs or increase productivity on their own farms, facilitating informed investment decisions, fostering collaborative businesses, and building a stronger and more resilient sheep farming community.