Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture ÖMKi

The Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) is the first agricultural ‘living laboratory’ that aims to promote agroecological transition. It was established in 2011 with the aim of promoting the improvement and more widespread use of organic agriculture in Hungary. It works on research and innovation projects which seek to ensure the sustainable development of Hungarian agriculture and food production, through findings which can be applied in everyday agricultural practice. We work in the field of arable crops, horticulture, viticulture, apiculture, and since 2020 also animal husbandry. In frame of the On-farm Living Lab, we test in different sub-networks how new products, practices and technological innovations perform under the diversity of everyday farming. Participating farmers gain feedback directly from their own production experiences, land, and technology, therefore, creating space for open innovation, product development and dynamic knowledge co-creation between farmers, researchers and other stakeholders of the value chains. Moreover, the Living Lab is not only active in Hungary but experienced in EU-funded, international research project implementation as well.

Role in ALL-Ready

As the Work package Leader of the WP3 - Coordination of stakeholder engagement and co-creation of the ALL-Ready pilot, ÖMKi is responsible for:
• Overseeing the overall coordination of stakeholder engagement in the project
• Leading the co-creation of the ALL-Ready pilot network
• Coordinating the formulation of stakeholder recommendations for the ALL-Ready implementation
• Moreover, ÖMKi will be involved in all other WPs in order to continuously channel insights and experiences of stakeholder engagement and piloting activities into WP work.

Key persons involved

• Korinna Varga, researcher
• Dr. Dóra Drexler, director of ÖMKi
• Dr. Fruzsina Szira, financial project manager
• Jade Ducretot, communication associate