On 21 April, the Portuguese partner CONSULAI, in partnership with DGADR (the Portuguese Directorate‑General for Agriculture and Rural Development), successfully delivered the first national webinar of the ATTRACTISS national webinar series.

The webinar, titled “Innovating with Method: The Innovation Spiral in the Context of Operational Groups – Agricultural Advisors at the Heart of Innovation”, brought together more than 100 participants, inluding agricultural advisors, innovation actors, and other AKIS stakeholders to explore how innovation can be structured, supported, and applied in practice.

During the session, the ATTRACTISS project was presented, including its objectives and activities at European level, with a focus on strengthening Innovation Support Services and supporting innovation processes within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems.

Participants were also introduced to AKISConnect, the online platform developed within ATTRACTISS and modernAKIS, highlighting its role in connecting AKIS actors across Europe. In this context, the ATTRACTISS Toolbox was presented as a practical resource to support innovation processes, alongside the AKISConnect Forum, which enables continuous exchange, discussion, and peer learning beyond individual events.

The session focused on the Innovation Spiral as a practical framework for guiding innovation processes within Operational Groups, highlighting the central role of agricultural advisors in facilitating collaboration, connecting actors, and supporting innovation from early problem identification to implementation.

Discussions emphasised the importance of cooperation, knowledge exchange, and structured support services in turning ideas into real solutions on the ground. Through practical examples and interactive moments, participants reflected on common challenges and success factors in innovation processes within AKIS.

This webinar marked the first step in a wider series of national‑level events to be rolled out across participating countries as part of the ATTRACTISS project, aiming to strengthen capacities, share experiences, and support innovation in agricultural practice.

More national webinars will follow in the coming months.