Author: Miranda García (AEIDL) | Contributor: Daniele Bertolozzi (Ecorys)
Tools4CAP is making significant progress in identifying, inventorying, and analysing innovative methods and tools for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans. Through its oncoming Replication Lab, the project intends to identify effective solutions, showcase good practices, and assess their potential limitations. To this end, 10 case studies are planned for implementation in 2025, aiming to simulate and test approaches essential for the design and monitoring processes of CAP Strategic Plans.
The case studies will take place in Czechia, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain. These studies will implement different tools where they are most needed, which may result useful for Member States. By employing a combination of quantitative models, data and monitoring systems, as well as qualitative and participatory methods, the case studies will address a variety of challenges commonly encountered in CAP Strategic Plans, including:
- Navigating diverse political and administrative contexts that influence the effectiveness of participatory tools.
- Addressing technical challenges related to the integration of data from multiple sources.
- Demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and scalability of tools and methodologies.
- Managing the complexity of setting interventions and establishing evidence-based targets —a key focus for many case studies.
- Ensuring effective stakeholder involvement across all stages of the strategic planning process, which will be a central aspect of many case studies.
Purpose and scope of the case studies
The case studies will incorporate a mix of real-life adoption, trial runs, ready-to-use demonstrations, and showcases of innovative tools, each designed to tackle specific CAP tasks, such as:
- Supporting ex-ante and ex-post policy evaluations using advanced modelling tools.
- Developing stakeholder-informed intervention strategies through participatory decision-making tools.
- Ensuring compliance and performance reviews using monitoring solutions.
- Combining tools to create holistic strategies for sustainable agriculture and resource management.
Categories of tools in the case studies
The tools used in the case studies are grouped into four primary categories:
- Quantitative models: These include experimental evaluation tools (France), CAPRI model (Hungary), and GLOBIOM model (Czechia).
- Data and monitoring systems: This category features the Policy Monitoring Tool (Greece and Italy), and the SOC Indicator Map (Spain).
- Qualitative and participatory methods: Tools in this category consist of the IOI matrix (Germany), and the Prioritisation tool for needs assessment (Poland).
- Integral tools (multi-tool approaches): Slovenia will develop a Participatory Vision-Building tool alongside solutions for policy monitoring. The Netherlands will integrate various tools, including eco-scheme design and farm income models. Spain will combine farm-level data aggregation with the CAPRI model to conduct ex-ante analyses.
End user involvement
Engaging end users is a key focus of Tools4CAP, which aims to actively involve stakeholders at every stage of the process. In this project, end users include EU, national, and local policy-makers, governance bodies, researchers, innovators, and other stakeholders relevant to agricultural and rural development.
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Looking ahead
For each case study, the project will produce detailed reports and factsheets, documenting the tools’ potential, limitations, and costs. A comprehensive analysis will be conducted with findings incorporated into the final methodological guidelines. These insights will also contribute to the Tools4CAP Handbook of good practices, ensuring scalability and applicability across different regions.
The Tools4CAP Academy will also play a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge gained from these case studies. Training modules will be developed in 2026 to showcase the practical implementation of tools, equipping stakeholders with the skills and expertise required to replicate successful approaches effectively. Additionally, the Academy will serve as a platform for Member States without case studies to learn from the results and insights generated.