Bringing managers together within the i2connect Excellence Class

From May 14th to 16th, participants from nine countries gathered in the beautiful setting of Ap?uciems, Latvia, for the i2connect project Excellence class. Over these two and a half days, Jos Verstegen from Wageningen University and Research, Ugo Denis from Chambres d'agriculture de Normandie, and Linda ?ar?e-Fadjajeva from the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre created an enabling environment for managers to exchange thoughts, challenges, and useful tips. This was complemented by training on business model canvas, interactive innovation, change management, and other tools from the i2connect EU toolbox.

The event covered crucial topics such as:

• What skills are required for innovation brokers/advisors?
• How can we motivate advisors and farmers to embrace change?
• How do we overcome the fear of new changes?
• Where are the bottlenecks hindering interactive innovation in our organizations?
• What are the first steps to mitigate these bottlenecks?
• What value do we create for our customers?

It was reassuring to recognize that we share common challenges: the impacts of global warming, the scarcity of young people entering the agriculture sector, and the need for better communication and understanding of shared goals. However, our approaches to addressing these challenges set us apart.

?This week provided invaluable insights for everyone involved. As Rui Almeida, Chairman of EUFRAS and CEO of CONSULAI, aptly said: "I got answers to questions I didn't even know I had!"

?Anita Dzelme, Jussi Juhola and Aleksander Bomberski from EUFRAS Board also attended.

?Remember, trust is the cornerstone of effective teamwork! Never underestimate the power of informal time spent together—whether it's doing nothing while watching a sunset or sharing stories of our lives. These moments build closeness and foster meaningful conversations.

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#i2connect #EUFRAS #Innovation #Agriculture #Teamwork #SustainableFarming #GlobalChallenges #InteractiveInnovation