Author: Raquel Pastor Carretero (AEIDL)
Editor: Anna Greguis (Ecorys)
On 28 May 2026, the Tools4CAP project held its second EU-level Focus Group in a hybrid format, in Brussels and online, bringing together representatives from European institutions, researchers, managing authorities, policy experts and stakeholders involved in discussions on the future implementation of the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs).
The meeting provided a space to reflect on the future CAP governance framework, the role of analytical tools and methodologies, and aspects related to the planning and implementation of the next CAP. Previously to this EU-level meeting, 16 national-level focus groups were held among different Member States in order to discuss specific tools that could support the planning and the future implementation of the next CAP, within the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs).
The EU-level focus group was kicked-off by a key contribution provided by Sophie Helaine, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI, Unit A.3). Her intervention addressed elements related to the future CAP architecture. Helaine explained that the post-2027 CAP is expected to maintain elements of continuity with the current performance-based model and strategic planning approach, while introducing changes related to governance, financing mechanisms, and monitoring requirements.
Particular attention was given to the role of analytical tools and data systems in supporting future CAP programming and implementation especially regarding the main three steps of the policy cycle: needs assessment and vision building, designing effective interventions and, transparent budget allocation.
The meeting also included a presentation of the Tools4CAP conceptual framework, which supports the development of tools and methodologies for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of future agriculture sections within the NRPPs.
Another important part of the discussion focused on findings emerging from the national focus groups organised by the project partners in 16 Member States. The findings highlighted several challenges, such as the allocation of responsibilities between ministries and administrative levels, coordination between institutions, the internal competition in securing enough resources devoted to agriculture and rural areas, and the management of non-ring-fenced funding. They also pointed to the importance of integrated planning approaches, coherence between policies and funding instruments, and monitoring systems linked to policy implementation.
The EU-level Focus Group concluded with an interactive session on practical tools and methods that could support the future policy framework. The discussion covered tools for needs assessment and vision building, coherence and impact assessment, and transparent budget allocation.
Participants exchanged views on how these tools can support planning processes, participatory approaches, territorial coordination and prioritisation mechanisms. The session also referred to the role of indicators, interoperability and monitoring frameworks within the future CAP governance context.
The EU-level Focus Group is part of Tools4CAP’s ongoing work to support discussions on methodologies, tools and governance approaches related to the future CAP framework and the development of the NRPPs. The discussions held, together with the contributions collected through the national focus groups organised across several Member States, will feed into an upcoming analysis compiling the main findings, identified needs and reflections related to tools, analytical capacities and implementation approaches for the post-2027 policy framework.