June 22, 2026

modernAKIS 7th AKIS Coordination Bodies General Assembly: Exchange, Strategy and Collaboration

The seventh AKIS Coordination Bodies General Assembly (AKIS CBs GA), organized by modernAKIS, took place from May 6 to 7, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania.

The event brought together 69 key AKIS actors from all 27 EU Member States, including Coordination Bodies, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in AKIS governance and implementation. The assembly aimed to facilitate peer-to-peer exchange, share best practices, and discuss future AKIS strategies in the context of the post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The program combined strategic discussions and interactive formats. The first day focused on reflecting progress in AKIS development since 2023, highlighting improvements in governance, stakeholder involvement, and advisory systems, which have contributed to stronger knowledge flows and innovation uptake across Member States. At the same time, participants addressed persistent challenges, including complex governance structures, the need for sustained trust-building, and uncertainties related to the future policy and funding framework.

A central session explored the positioning of AKIS within the future CAP, gathering input for an evolving policy paper. Discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening AKIS as a core element of agricultural policy, supported by clear communication of its impacts, stronger coordination across governance levels, and a forward-looking approach to innovation, advisory services, and generational renewal.

The second day focused on operational aspects, particularly the role of AKIS knowledge portals as key infrastructures for knowledge exchange and networking. Participants highlighted the need to further develop these platforms into interactive, user-oriented tools with improved usability, interoperability, and multilingual access, while underlining that digital solutions should complement, not replace, human interaction and advisory services.

Additional sessions addressed capacity building activities and their impact across Member States, as well as Stories of Change illustrating how modernAKIS activities have strengthened collaboration, awareness, and coordination within different AKIS contexts.

For more details on the event, please see Events | 7th AKIS Coordination Bodies General Assembly