In the last 7 years, a CONSULT It has been involved in several national and international research and innovation (R&I) projects, mostly organized in consortia that bring together representatives from different sectors: education and research, public entities, associations, producer organizations and advisory services, NGOs, agro-food and forestry companies and farmers, among others, and it has not participated “alone”.
It has played an important role in promoting innovation in the agro-food and forestry sector, acting not only as a facilitator in the adoption of new technologies, in the transfer of knowledge, and in collaboration between various stakeholders in the sector, but also encouraging other entities from various sectors of the sector to actively participate in these partnerships.
Whenever an opportunity is identified CONSULT It has not lowered its arms! It has taken on an aggregating role in building solid consortia for the funding opportunities that have emerged, in order to stimulate innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector in Portugal. At a national level, it has also boosted the creation of strategic partnerships for R&D projects, as was the case with the Operational Groups or of PRR, and has promoted international cooperation whenever possible.
A CONSULT It is participating in European projects, but it always takes Portugal with it! In addition to access to funding, participation in projects in the European programs Horizon Research and Innovation Framework Programme 2020 (H2020) (H2020) and Horizon Europe It brings several significant advantages for both farmers and national companies, highlighting international collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experiences (“peer-to-peer learning”), as well as networking opportunities with different European and global experts in various topics, which can boost innovation and competitiveness. Access to advanced technologies and best practices that promote productivity and sustainability is another of the advantages that the CONSULT It tries to leverage this both through its participation and by inviting other national partners. This allows them to better understand the needs and offerings of the European market, as well as to adapt their products, services and practices to meet European standards, policies and regulations, providing opportunities for growth.
While it is important to incorporate new practices and knowledge into our companies, it is also fundamental to demonstrate abroad what is best done in our country. Participating in European projects allows Portuguese agro-food and forestry companies to increase their visibility and recognition internationally, opening doors to new business opportunities, partnerships, investments and internationalization. Through their participation in these R&D projects, CONSULT It has contributed not only to the involvement of other national entities, but also to boosting innovation in the sector at the national level through the organization of various events: demonstration events, cross-visits, focus groups, workshops, seminars, and conferences, among others.
In this way, the great goal of CONSULT it is to promote innovation, competitiveness and sustainability, taking advantage of the synergies between the different partners involved at national and international level, and being a facilitator of the knowledge generated, in order to ensure an integrated growth of the agri-food and forestry sector in Portugal.