The OrganicAdviceNetwork project, which aims to establish a European organic advisory network with the focus on international knowledge exchange and the promotion of organic advisory structures in Europe, is organizing the “Innovative Organic Advice Contest”. The contest aims to highlight innovative organic advisory services operating in Europe and is open to both private and public advisory services that advise organic farmers or those interested in converting to organic farming.
To be eligible, advisory services must demonstrate innovation and success in areas such as
- funding models
- communication skills
- advisory methods
- measuring tools
- education
Applications open on 13 January and close on 30 April 2025. Interested organisations can apply via the online application form linked below.
The criteria that are used to identify the winners of the contest, are shaped as diverse as possible, to make sure to include as many innovative advisory services as possible. The criteria the jury is going to consider are financing model, environmental and social sustainability, advisory methods and tools and impact of innovativeness towards agriculture and society. There is also an option for bonus points for ideas and features, that could not be covered by the predetermined criteria.
Two winners will be selected and announced by 30 June 2025. Each winning advisory service will receive an invitation to participate in a 2- to 3-day cross-visit to learn and exchange about innovative organic practices and an award ceremony at the “Organic Innovation Days” in Brussels on 4 November 2025 (travel costs and two nights in a hotel for two persons included). For more information about the contest, visit the OrganicAdviceNetwork project website or contact the organisers.
Advisory services that are project partners of the "OrganicAdviceNetwork" may not apply to this contest due to conflict of interest.
Further information
Contacts FiBL
- Bernadette Oehen, project leader FiBL Switzerland
- Ana Stephan, project leader FiBL Germany
Contact contest
- Anna Wilhelm, Bio Austria
- Didem Aydurmus, Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde HNEE
Links
- organicadvicenetwork.eu: Organic Advice Contest
- organicadvicenetwork.eu: "Put yourself on the Map" Survey about advisory services
- fibl.org: The OrganicAdviceNetwork project in the FiBL project database