You are welcome to the webpage gathering information on EIP-AGRI transnational cooperation. This webpage aims to collect the necessary information in one place, inform applicants about the plans and schedule for synchronized EIP calls in Estonia, Finland, and Latvia, as well as provide tools to assist in finding new cooperation partners.
In the autumn 2025, Estonia, Finland, and Latvia will synchronize their calls for EIP project applications, offering a unique opportunity to form transnational operational groups (OGs) to collaborate across borders.
What Is EIP and What Does Transnational Cooperation Mean?
Under the CAP Strategic Plans 2023–2027, EIP-AGRI operational groups have the possibility to work transnationally, that is also allowed by Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, Article 127(3). This legal basis allows EIP-AGRI operational groups to act across borders — fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions to joint agricultural challenges.
Why Cooperate Transnationally?
Transnational cooperation offers several key benefits for EIP operational groups. By involving experts from different countries, projects gain access to a broader knowledge base and new perspectives on how to approach specific agricultural challenges.
It enables learning from others’ experiences and opens doors to solutions that may have already been successfully implemented in other EU Member States. Moreover, such cooperation helps to establish new partnerships and valuable contacts that can support future initiatives beyond the scope of a single project.
What Kind of Transnational Cooperation Is Possible?
Transnational cooperation can take various forms depending on the specific needs of your project. It may include study visits to learn from EIP partners in other countries, participation in joint events such as transnational conferences or workshops, or fully integrated projects where EIP-AGRI operational groups from multiple countries share objectives, co-plan activities, and implement solutions together. Whatever the format, transnational cooperation should be driven by the real needs of the operational groups involved and must bring clear added value that could not be achieved through a purely national approach.
Preparing a Transnational Project Application
Building a successful transnational EIP project requires time, coordination, and careful planning. It is important to start early, as preparing a transnational application generally takes more time than a national one. Partners should work together to define common objectives and ensure that all parties understand and take into account the different national rules, timelines, and funding procedures.
A clear agreement on who will coordinate the project is essential, as is clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each participating partner. Once funding is approved, a written agreement is highly recommended to formalize these arrangements. A written agreement is required to formalize the arrangements. During application phase, this can be Letter of Intent or condition cooperation agreement that comes into effect if funding is awarded.
More detailed requirements for the cooperation agreement:
Each partner must submit their application for funding separately via their national application system for European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Below you can find several sources of information to support you during your EIP-AGRI transnational journey:
In Estonian: Innovation cooperation projects – European Innovation Partnership (EIP) operational group projects - Regulation
In English:
A partnering platform to help form EIP-AGRI transnational cooperation (TNC) partnerships
To help you navigate throw entire process of EIP-AGRI transnational cooperation—whether you need guidance on national EIP measure legislation or support in finding project partners—our team is here to assist you. Below you will find a list of contact persons who can provide the necessary consultation in Finland, Latvia and Estonia.
The online workshop 'Network to Innovate: Info and Brokerage Event for Transnational EIP-AGRI Operational Groups' successfully took place on August 25, 2025. The event is now over, and all presentations have been uploaded and are available for viewing HERE
Also the Nordic-Baltic EIP-AGRI Brokerage & Networking event took place on 24-25 September 2025 in Tartu, Estonia. This two-day in-person event brought together stakeholders from Estonia, Finland, and Latvia to foster collaboration and form transnational EIP-AGRI partnerships. You can download a file with ideas, suggested additions, and potential consortia currently looking for partners HERE
Contacts:
Tuija Kallio is the Network Coordinator on AKIS and Innovation at the Rural Network of Finland. She provides innovation support services and builds linkages for agri-food R&D actors, EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, rural entrepreneurs, and developers. Tuija has a background in applied R&D in agriculture and health & wellbeing.
You can reach her at [email protected]
The Rural Network Estonia has been operating for 15 years, and Konstantin Mihhejev joined it exactly 12 years ago as an innovation broker. Among his everyday tasks, he primarily focuses on providing innovation support services for agri-food actors, EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, and innovation clusters at the national and international levels.
You can contact Konstantin at [email protected]
Last updated: 21.10.2025
