Farming for a Better Climate (FarmClim). Design of an Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research Project Aiming to Address the 'Science-Policy Gap'

FarmClim aims at contributing to a more considerate use of nitrogen in Austrian agriculture. The transdisciplinary research project attempts to tackle the “science-policy gap” by using a participatory approach, that is, stakeholders influence the research process as much as the scientists strive for the implementation of their ideas. This paper describes the project design and communication processes. Full integration of practice partners adds to the complexity of the project's structure, but brings consider able benefits right from the outset. Taking advantage of the existing institutional setting of FarmClim partners, we expect to maintain expert consultancy beyond the lifetime of the project, helping agriculture to meet the challenges of environmental and economic performance of a producing agriculture.