Authors: Miranda García & Raquel Pastor (AEIDL)
On 6 and 7 October 2025, the Tools4CAP project held its third Consortium Meeting in Valladolid, Spain, hosted by the Agricultural Technological Institute of Castilla y Leon (ITACyL), partner focused on the integration and interoperability of new data, technology and digitalisation. The meeting gathered project partners to review progress and outline the final steps towards the project’s conclusion, ensuring the maximum impact of Tools4CAP’s results.
The Director of ITACyL, Rafael Sáez, warmly welcomed the consortium, expressing his pleasure in hosting the event. He introduced the institute’s mission and areas of expertise, which include technological research, quality certification, infrastructure development, and the promotion of development initiatives.
Tools4CAP Coordinator, Bérénice Dupeux (Ecorys), officially opened the meeting by reviewing the project’s goals and achievements to date. She also drew attention to the latest policy developments, including the new Multiannual Financial Framework presented in July 2025 and the legislative proposal for the next CAP, setting the tone for the discussions ahead and underlining how these changes will shape the project’s final phase and its contribution to future agricultural policy.
Overview of the case studies
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the 12 case studies. Emil Erjavec (University of Ljubljana) provided an overview of their overall approach, main limitations, and key achievements. Afterwards, the case study coordinators presented their progress, outlining the processes followed and sharing the main challenges and lessons learned along the way.
The final session of the day, led by Ilona Rač (University of Ljubljana), focused on the Handbook of Good Practices, scheduled for publication in September 2026. Partners reviewed and discussed the draft structure, setting the foundations for a practical and impactful guide that will consolidate project findings.
The day concluded with a guided tour of ITACyL’s facilities, specifically its experimental vineyards. Partners were briefed on the research and development activities being carried out there to improve the production and quality of various grape varieties—a sector of strategic value for the region.
From guidance to impact
The second day focused on aligning and updating the three methodological guidelines developed in 2024. Working in groups, partners discussed how to integrate the latest policy developments, outputs from the case studies, and insights from the focus groups into the revised versions. Preparations were also made for the second round of focus groups, during which partners outlined potential agendas across four thematic areas.
In the afternoon, Raquel Pastor and Miranda García (AEIDL) led an interactive session on exploitation activities, where participants explored the project’s Key Exploitable Results (KERs), prioritised them, and began developing a roadmap to ensure their practical use and long-term impact.
The meeting concluded with an update on the Tools4CAP Academy, covering progress to date and the next steps. The Academy will continue in 2026 with three modules dedicated to lessons learned from the case studies and one focused on the Handbook of Good Practices.
Looking ahead
The Consortium Meeting in Spain marked a significant milestone for Tools4CAP. As the project moves into its final year, the strategies and insights developed in Valladolid will guide the update of methodological guidelines, the analysis of case studies, and the organisation of the Academy modules and focus groups. These efforts will ensure that Tools4CAP leaves a lasting impact by equipping CAP Managing Authorities and governance bodies with practical, evidence-based tools and guidelines for the future.
If you’re eager to explore the results of our efforts, explore the resources area (publications) to access detailed outcomes and insights.
Want to stay informed and be part of our journey? Get involved in Tools4CAP!
