Workshops

Rationale of use

In Flanders, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had initially prepared three SWOT analyses: one of Flemish agriculture, one of the environment linked to agriculture and one of the Flemish countryside. The workshops aimed to engage external stakeholders, allowing them to identify any additional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats not covered in the initial SWOT analyses, provide feedback, and suggest adjustments. Through brainstorming sessions, participants also explored the needs emerging from the three SWOT analyses and proposed potential solutions to these needs.

Functioning

Attendance at the workshops was promoted through various channels and advisory bodies. The invitation was even featured in member magazines of agricultural and horticultural associations. The workshops were held on two different days at different locations and followed a similar structure. An external facilitator led the sessions, dividing participants into groups of 5-10 people, each tasked with deepening one of three pre-prepared SWOT analyses (i.e. on agriculture, environment or rural development). Stakeholders were free to expand, modify, remove or completely revise the original SWOT. A professional facilitator ensured that everyone's input was heard, while a rapporteur carefully documented the discussions. After refining the SWOTs, each group distilled the key needs and priorities from their findings. This process provided a comprehensive overview of the various challenges and demands within Flemish agriculture, the environment and the rural landscape. Participants then had the opportunity to review the needs identified by other groups, encouraging a cross-fertilisation of ideas that further enriched the analysis. Following this exchange, participants returned to their original groups to identify breakthrough solutions based on the needs identified. They addressed key questions such as What is needed to respond to these challenges? Where should we focus our efforts? How can we have a meaningful impact? In the afternoon session, a selection of breakthrough solutions were selected for deeper exploration. Each participant selected a topic of interest, resulting in newly formed discussion groups. This reshuffling encouraged diverse perspectives and fresh discussion, further refining potential strategies and solutions.

Types of outputs

The outputs from the two workshops were compiled into a comprehensive report that integrated stakeholders' input and served as the foundation for the needs analysis. This report was published on the website of the Flemish Rural Network and submitted to Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature, and Agriculture.

Relevant CAP objective

All

Sources

Result is published in a report: https://lv.vlaanderen.be/sites/default/files/attachments/rapport_publieke_bevragingen_vrn.pdf