Cross Visits (CV)
Cross-visits play a very relevant role in the context of the European Network for knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer learning among actors and stakeholders of the horse sector to improve the resilience of equine farms, involving EUnetHorse partners.
Within the EUnetHorse project, 8 cross-visits will be organized. For each visit, a mixed group composed by EUnetHorse partners and 1 or 2 farmers, trainers and advisors from all EUnetHorse countries will visit one or two farms (during one or two days) to encourage peer-to-peer learning within the equine sector, contributing significantly to the project’s goals. Participants will receive information on technical solutions (how to implement, technical choice of the solution, costs generated by the solution, assets of the solution, etc.). After each cross-visit, feedback will be collected from participants. Farmers will be encouraged to share their thoughts such as ‘is it possible to implement the same solution in my farm?’, ‘does it need any adaptation?’, ‘what did you like/dislike in the demonstration?’. Moreover, via email or by offering a post-visit report contact among participants will be maintained to ensure that the new knowledge and experiences gained during the visit are being implemented successfully. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences with others in their community.
Visited farms during the 3rd EUWS - POLAND
Visited farms during the 2nd EUWS - GERMANY
Visited farms during the 1st EUWS - FRANCE
Cross Visits
Cross-visits are important for several reasons.
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Diverse-perspectives
The equine sector exhibits a wide range of practices, challenges, and approaches across different countries due to variations in climate, geography, culture, and local regulations. Cross-visits provide an opportunity for stakeholders to gain insights from equine farms in different European countries, enabling them to learn about different and meaningful strategies, techniques, and innovations. This exposure fosters a more comprehensive understanding of the sector’s intricacies and encourages the adoption or adaptation of best practices that may be applicable across borders.
Knowledge Transfer
Cross-visits facilitate the direct exchange of knowledge, experiences, and expertise among participants. By physically visiting equine farms in other countries, stakeholders can witness firsthand the application of various management practices, husbandry techniques, and technologies. This immersive experience goes beyond theoretical knowledge-sharing, promoting practical learning and skills development that can be directly implemented in their own contexts.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Equine farm owners, managers, and professionals often have valuable insights and practical solutions that peers can benefit from. Cross-visits create an environment where stakeholders can engage in meaningful discussions, share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and collaborate on innovative approaches. Peer-to-peer learning promotes a sense of community, encourages open dialogue, and fosters the emergence of collective thinking within the network.
Cultural Exchange
Cross-visits provide a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and interaction among participants from diverse countries. This cultural dimension adds depth to the learning experience as stakeholders gain an understanding of different traditions, perspectives, and approaches of equine husbandry. The exposure to different cultures can broaden horizons and stimulate creative thinking.
Enhanced Resilience
The primary goal of the project is to improve the resilience of equine farms. Cross-visits contribute to this objective by exposing stakeholders to various strategies for addressing challenges such as disease outbreaks, environmental changes, market fluctuations, and regulatory shifts. By learning from farm experiences in different countries, participants can develop a more robust set of tools and strategies to enhance the resilience in their own operations.
Network Building
Cross-visits offer a platform for building and strengthening relationships among stakeholders from different partner countries. These interactions foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration, leading to the creation of a cohesive European network. The connections established during cross-visits can extend beyond the project’s duration, facilitating ongoing information sharing and cooperation within the equine sector.
Therefore, cross-visits in the context of a European Network for knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer learning within the equine sector contribute significantly to the project’s goals by enabling stakeholders to learn from one another, exchange practical insights, enhance their resilience, and foster a sense of interconnectedness across borders.
Cross-visits have been orchestrated as a means of fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration within the equine sector, originating with the intent to introduce farmers to innovative practices. In more recent times, these cross-visits have evolved to encompass not only the sharing of experiences among farmers in a peer-to-peer setting but also the facilitation of co-creative knowledge processes among farmers and various stakeholders.