Far from all innovation processes succeed. In fact, many go awry even before they begin. So what makes an innovation process move forward? And what stops it? The EU-project “AgriSpin – Space for innovations in Agriculture” seeks to find the answers to those questions and many more by identifying best practices for innovation and support systems in European agriculture.

At the kickoff meeting in April of 2015, AgriSpin officially started the process of hunting down “Space for innovations in Agriculture”. By uncovering the so-called blind spots in innovation projects, AgriSpin’s goal is to contribute to improved methods of innovation in European agriculture.

Blind spots in an innovation project are all the important subprocesses which the participants may not view as critical to the project. Nevertheless, the entire project could fail if one or several of these subprocesses are derailed.

For example, blind spots can occur in the collaboration between a farmer who has an innovative idea and his adviser to whom he turns for advice. If they understand each other, chances are that the appropriate supportive measures will be put into play. If not, the chances of that happening are a lot slimmer.

The AgriSpin project will examine the practice of innovation today by answering questions such as: How does the European farmer seek information and support? What competencies does he expect of his adviser? What kind of support system is in place today? By doing so, AgriSpin intends to uncover best cases for innovation and identify the type of innovation support system that makes for the most optimal innovation process.

To ensure that the knowledge accumulated in the project is disseminated to as many stakeholders as possible, AgriSpin will work towards creating a powerful European network among advisers, researchers, organisational experts and innovation companies.

By establishing a strong innovation network between the partners of the AgriSpin project as well as reaching out to European agricultural networks, innovation networks, EU-funded innovation projects and to politicians, on a European, regional and national level, AgriSpin hopes to contribute to a strengthened innovation effort in European agriculture.