This session opens the Forum by translating the OECD Oslo Manual’s four levels of innovation into a policy and ecosystem framework for Europe’s agrifood transformation. It connects global policy leadership (OECD, EC) with European and regional implementation (clusters, ecosystems, innovation networks) showing how to turn policy ambition into practical, scalable impact

Key Discussion Themes:

1. Connecting innovation levels: how to align “new-to-firm” to “new-to-world” innovations through coherent policy and support frameworks.
2. Clusters as system orchestrators: why European and regional clusters are essential intermediaries between policy and enterprise innovation.
3. Policy–investment alignment: ensuring that European, national, and regional programmes reinforce one another.
4. OECD and EU cooperation: creating shared metrics and governance models for food system resilience.

Jekaterina Kalinienė Innovation Agency Head of Biotech Lab
Diāna Līva   Policy expert at the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia
Aiga Jonele Head of Horizon Europe NCP Group Research Council of Lithuania
Simon Maas AgriFood Capital
Antonio Novo Guerrero President of the European Clusters Alliance
Mindaugas Snarskis CEO at “Vikonda group”

Moderator: Živilė Kropaitė-Basiulė  journalist

Building on the policy framing, the goal is to show how regional ecosystems and Living Labs drive Europe’s agrifood transformation by connecting innovation policy to enterprise-level action.
Using the OECD’s four levels of innovation (new-to-firm, region, market, world), this panel highlights how local experimentation and interregional cooperation make the system work in practice.

Key Discussion Themes:

1. From policy to pilots: how EU and national strategies are translated into regional action.
2. Living Labs as the “doing infrastructure” of innovation — co-creation, testing, and de-risking new technologies.
3. Interregional learning : scaling impact through collaboration and shared methodology.
4. Bridging innovation and funding: how intermediaries and agencies support SMEs and start-ups.
5. Learning from evidence: what OECD and regions can jointly measure to track system transformation

prof. dr. Dimitri Schuurman Senior Research Strategist European Network of Living Labs, visiting professor strategic design and innovation management at Ghent University 
Adina Golombeck–Tauyatswala Innovation and Europe Agency for the North Rhine-Westphalia region ZENIT GmbH / NRW Europa 
Mar Ylla Gelabert  European Network of Living Labs
Karri Kallio Research and Development Manager, Sustainable Food Solutions “SeAMK University” of Applied Sciences, SIXFOLD

Moderator Simon Maas AgriFood Capital

This session brings together policymakers and practitioners to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation in Europe and Lithuania.

It connects EU policy development and carbon market regulation with national implementation and farmer-level practice, showing how European ambition can translate into measurable impact and new opportunities for the agricultural sector.

The discussion takes place at a key moment – as Lithuania’s competent bodies are set to become operational from January 1, 2026, marking a new stage in the governance of carbon removal and carbon farming mechanisms.

Key Discussion Themes:

EU policy direction: what the upcoming Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming frameworks mean for Member States and farmers.

National readiness: how Lithuania is preparing institutions and regulatory systems to implement carbon credit schemes.

Practical challenges and opportunities: lessons from farmers already applying sustainable and climate-smart practices.

Financing and certification: ensuring trust, transparency, and accessibility in carbon credit mechanisms for small and medium-sized farms.

Collaboration across levels: linking policy, science, and practice to scale carbon farming across Europe.

Introductory insights: Christian Holzleitner Head of Unit for Land Economy and Carbon Removals Directorate-General for Climate Action European Commission

Panelists: 

Tomas Orlickas Deputy Director of the National Paying Agency
Krystyna Springer Senior Policy Analyst, Land Use and Climate Programme of Institute for European Environmental Policy
Rovena Grikienė  Advisor at the Crop Production and Agrarian Environmental Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Algis Gaižutis Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Vilnius University, Chairman of the Board of the Lithuanian Forest and Land Owners Association
Diāna Līva     Policy expert at the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia, PhD candidate at Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
Eimantas Pranauskas President Lithuanian Association of Agricultural Companies

Moderator: Romualdas Lapickis Senior Project Manager AgriFood Lithuania

Remigijus Lapinskas Head of the Green Policy Institute, Entrepreneur, Investor, Public Figure

The Farm of the Future is not only powered by renewable energy –  it is built on the principles of regeneration, circularity, and resilience.
This panel will explore how solar, wind, biogas, and regenerative agriculture practices are being implemented across farms and regional agrifood ecosystems, creating a bridge between practical innovation and policy frameworks.

Speakers will highlight how renewable energy systems, carbon-smart soil management, and closed-loop resource use can reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, restore soil health, and generate new income streams for farmers and rural communities.
The session will also emphasize how Lithuania and the wider Baltic region can lead in developing decentralized, green, and regenerative farming models that empower producers, strengthen ecosystems, and advance Europe’s climate neutrality goals.

Key Discussion Themes:

1. Regenerative energy and agriculture: integrating solar, wind, biogas, and soil health into one sustainable system.
2. Circular and carbon-smart farm management: linking energy efficiency, nutrient recycling, and carbon sequestration.
3. From Living Labs to large-scale adoption: real-life examples of farms as innovation ecosystems.
4. Policy and investment: aligning CAP, green finance, and innovation programs to scale regenerative transitions.
5. Regional cooperation and the role of clusters in expanding sustainable and energy-smart farming across Europe.

Introductory insights: Niels Peter Pretzmann visionary entrepreneur, owner Farmer’s Circle, Winner of the Regenerative Farm category at Baltic sustainability awards

Panelists:

Niels Peter Pretzmann visionary entrepreneur, owner Farmer’s Circle, Winner of the Regenerative Farm category at Baltic sustainability awards
Agnė Domarkienė  Head of Services at ESO National Energy Operator
Felix Arion Director of Department of Economic Sciences Responsible of Master Food Identity University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, project EENOVA (energy efficiency in the agrifood value chain)
Rolandas Dockevičius associated partner in BioSolFarm project

Mikas Jusys Farmer Jusių Organic Farm,  Council Member at Rietavas municipality (TBA)

Celebrating innovation in the social and circular agrifood economy!
Finalist teams from the ENACT Hackathon 2025 will present their groundbreaking ideas and prototypes developed over two days of co-creation and teamwork.

Each finalist will have 3 minutes to pitch their solution to a distinguished jury of innovation experts, investors, and policymakers.

Following the pitches, the jury will announce the winning teams, awarding prizes for the most impactful, scalable, and socially-driven innovations in the agrifood sector.

Simon Ouboul Economist, Policy Analyst OECD’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience team

The panel discussion will be in Lithuanian

As Europe rethinks its food systems, the shift toward alternative protein sources  from plant-based and microbial to algae  is not just a technological change but a social transformation.
This session will explore how social innovation, consumer awareness, and local entrepreneurship are driving the protein transition, shaping new markets and values around sustainability, nutrition, and inclusiveness.

Speakers from research, business, and community initiatives will discuss how to connect scientific breakthroughs with social acceptance, ensuring that Europe’s protein future is sustainable, accessible, and people-centered.

Key Discussion Themes:

1. Social innovation in food: empowering communities, start-ups, and consumers.
2. The rise of alternative proteins: new business models for circular and sustainable diets.
3. Bridging science and society: communicating innovation in food and nutrition.
4. Local and regional value creation: from research labs to social enterprises.
5. Policy and investment perspectives: supporting the protein transition at scale.

Panelists:

Tomas Vaičiūnas  Lifestyle Medicine Expert and Lecturer
Vilma Kapočienė  Head of Food Business at Nestlé Baltics

Moderator: Monika Kazlauskaitė Business journalist at the news portal Lrytas

Panel in Lithuanian

The goal is to explore how public and private investment can accelerate innovation across all levels — from firm-level adoption to global breakthroughs — and how policy, industry, and finance can jointly enable a resilient and sustainable agrifood future.
The discussion will focus on creating investment coherence: aligning European, national, and private financial mechanisms to scale successful innovations and strengthen food system resilience.
This panel will also explore how Lithuania positions itself as a hub for sustainable agrifood investments.

Key Discussion Themes:

1. How to bridge innovation and investment: turning policy priorities into investable propositions.
2. The role of industry in mobilising private capital for sustainable agrifood transformation.
3. Blended finance and de-risking: how to use public instruments (InvestEU, Horizon, national funds) to attract private co-investment.
4. National and regional investment ecosystems: how they can connect SMEs and start-ups to European funding.
5. Lessons for OECD and EU policymakers on creating consistent investment frameworks for food security and innovation.

Introductory insights:

Bronis Ropė The Chair of the Committee on Rural Affairs at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Panelists:

Bronis Ropė The Chair of the Committee on Rural Affairs at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Andrius Pranckevičius CEO at “Kauno Grūdai”, Chairman at “Kekava Foods”, Deputy Chairman at “Akola Group”
Giedrė Gečiauskienė Board Member at ILTE (National Development Bank)
Vilma Sabaliauskienė WIDEN Partner, Attorney at Law, Head of Environmental and ESG Practice
Arūnas Svitojus President Chamber of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania

Moderator: Arūnas Milašius DELFI Agribusiness editor-in-chief

This closing panel spotlights the human dimension of transformation the people, skills, and communities that make innovation happen. It explores how Europe can empower the next generation of agrifood leaders, ensuring that technological and policy advances are matched by education, inclusion, and collaboration across regions.

Key Discussion Themes:

1. Skills for transformation: how universities, clusters, and training programmes prepare the workforce for digital-green agrifood transitions.
2. Youth and generational renewal: making agrifood careers attractive to young innovators and entrepreneurs.
3. Women in agrifood: strengthening leadership, visibility, and inclusive innovation.
4. Entrepreneurial and soft skills: creativity, co-creation, and cross-sector collaboration.
5. Connected networks: how organisations build learning communities across Europe.

Introductory insight: Pietro D’Arpa Vice President Supply Chain-Europe Logistics & End to End Strategic Planning at Procter & Gamble

Aistė Miliūtė  CEO at Birštonas Mineral Water / Certified Water Sommelier
Gintaras Vilda EIT Community Officer Lithuania | CEO Manufacturing Innovation Valley
Pietro D’Arpa Vice President Supply Chain-Europe Logistics & End to End Strategic Planning at Procter & Gamble

Moderator: Živilė Kropaitė-Basiulė, journalist