Digital Transition Toolkit | Knowledge for policy

Foresight

Brief me

Explore questions and activities to inform a digital strategy for agriculture and rural areas.

Use this toolkit to

· discuss key issues for building vision and strategy for your digital transition

· engage stakeholders to develop or improve an existing strategy

· increase your anticipatory capacity and future-proof your strategy

The digital transition in agriculture and rural areas is complex and context-specific. It requires tailored solutions that consider local needs, resources, and challenges. This toolkit helps policy-makers reflect on the implications of digital transition for farmers and rural communities through structured conversations. It draws on insights of the report Digital Transition: Long –term Implications for EU Farmers and Rural Communities.

Explore also the vision framework of the study which enables you to perceive different aspects of the transition and presents key questions to guide the discussion on the topic and plan the transition.

Toolkit components

1.Theoretical part

Questions to initiate discussions on the purpose, values and principles to guide the process of digital transition.

2. Practical part

Practical activities to discuss key enablers for adopting digital technologies.

A set of transformative scenarios to stress-test your digital strategy.

3. Summary sheet

A template to capture and document key insights.

How to use this toolkit

This is a digital version of the Digital Transition Toolkit, available as a downloadable file. While the content can be viewed on-screen, the toolkit is designed to be most effective when printed and used in a physical setting.

To get the best results:

Download the toolkit file from this page.
Print the cards, ideally on sturdy paper or cardstock.
Cut out the cards to use them during in-person workshops or strategy sessions.

Use the toolkit in a workshop setting, ideally over four half-day sessions. Adjust the focus depending on your goals and available time. Begin the workshop by outlining your current digital journey and setting clear session goals.

Utilise the outcomes of the workshop to inform your strategy development process—this could include setting or revising objectives, identifying milestones or indicators, and developing action plans.

Working with the printed cards supports hands-on engagement, facilitates group dialogue, and fosters creative exploration - essential ingredients for a meaningful foresight and planning process.