Tools4CAP´s ambition is to provide end users with suitable tools for more evidence-based policy design, ultimately improving capabilities to design next-generation Strategic Plans and to perform monitoring tasks. Tools4CAP gathers 21 partners to support the design and monitoring of the national Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans (SPs) 2023-2027 and lay the foundations for sound preparation of Post-2027 Strategic Plans through a bottom-up adaptation of innovative methods and tools.
CzechGlobe, in cooperation with a strategic partner, IIASA, is leading one of the modelling case studies in the Czech Republic as part of the replication labs. Case studies aim to operationalize modelling tools for ex-ante and ex-post assessments, participatory decision tools for stakeholder-informed construction of intervention strategies, and monitoring solutions to control compliance and support performance review.
The Czech Republic modeling case study was launched in May 2024, when IIASA and CzechGlobe organized the first focus group, a national multi-stakeholder meeting. The Czech focus group convened to discuss policy analysis tools for evidence-based decisions. Scientists from the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information (ÚZEI), representatives from the Regional Agrarian Chamber of the South Moravian Region (RAK Jmk), the State Land Office (SPÚ), and farmers participated in the focus group. The discussion revolved around two key topics:
- Identifying the roles, challenges, and opportunities faced by stakeholders in the design and implementation of the Czech Republic CAP Strategic Plan;
- Introducing the GLOBIOM tool for policy analysis in the European context and the need to improve such tools for future CAP processes.
The focus group discussion highlighted common experiences among stakeholders during the final phase of the CAP SP process. Researchers from ÚZEI were actively involved in preparing foundational analyses, including impact studies, to pinpoint issues and their causes, determine the best interventions, and deliver progressive results to the Ministry of Agriculture. Although participants acknowledged the process was generally smooth, they noted that the final phase of the CAP SP was rushed, and changes were made contrary to the previously established consensus among various stakeholders. Farmers voiced concerns that the recent modifications to the CAP SP were decided without taking into account the earlier agreements between farmers and policymakers. Despite the Ministry of Agriculture’s willingness to engage in dialogue, these discussions did not lead to any practical outcomes for the farmers.
Furthermore, there was a shared agreement on the significance of the goals set for the Czech Republic within the CAP SP. Participants noted a lack of transparency in the impact assessments conducted during the design phase with farmers. They expressed a desire to be more involved in refining and adopting diverse policy analysis tools. Key policy issues discussed included the competitiveness of Czech agriculture, the productivity effects of regulated pesticide use, the expansion of irrigation, self-sufficiency, and labor concerns.
The focus group concluded with a consensus on the necessity of enhancing communication between (1) academia and farmers, and (2) farmers and national/EU policymakers. Strengthening these channels is crucial to developing effective policy analysis tools that address the challenges faced by farmers in implementing the CAP SP.
