A new three-year initiative aimed at securing the future of Irish farming and promote generational renewal has been launched.
The Renewal of Agriculture through Intergenerational Support and Empowerment (RAISE) project is co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and will run until April 2027.
RAISE will work to establish collaborative farming relationships between young and older farmers, underpinned by training, mentoring and a strong support network.
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president Edward Carr said that while many young people aspire to work the land, they often find themselves locked out by limited access to land, resources or mentorship.
“Meanwhile, older farmers face uncertainty about the future of their farms, also burdened by the emotional and financial weight of succession decisions,” he said.
“The future of farming lies in connection, not just to the land, but to one another. RAISE is about bridging the gap between generations and ensuring farming is something that people feel supported to enter and proud to pass on.”
Approach
Mentorship programmes will pair seasoned farmers with potential new entrants. A digital resource hub will centralise training modules, collaborative farming templates and real-world case studies.
Advisers and co-operative officers will be upskilled to act as facilitators, helping farming families navigate often sensitive succession conversations, and community forums and awareness campaigns will be designed to spark public dialogue and showcase the positive impact of collaboration.
“At the heart of the project is a belief in partnership and mutual respect,” added Carr.
“Whether it’s a young farmer searching for their first opportunity or an older farmer wondering who will walk the fields after them, RAISE seeks to offer them a roadmap.”
Actions
A steering group has been established which includes ICOS, Teagasc, University College Cork (UCC), Macra Na Feirme, Aurivo, Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies, Tirlán and three active farmer representatives, in a multi-stakeholder approach.
The initiative will be phased beginning with a needs assessment capturing the lived experiences, barriers and hopes of farmers.
From there, a comprehensive programme of training and capacity building will be rolled out, focusing on farm management, co-operative structures, communication and legacy building.
In its final phases, RAISE will move from training to practical action - offering guidance, building formal partnerships and opening pathways for farmers for the future.
Farmers from across the island can register for the initiative on the RAISE project website or contact Billy Goodburn of ICOS Skillnet by email on billy.goodburn@icos.ie.
Read more
Why succession talks should focus on more than money
Succession options showcased at share farming open day
Less than 13% of farmers able to progress careers – FRS Co-op
Losing young farmers is a threat to EU food production – Hansen
A new three-year initiative aimed at securing the future of Irish farming and promote generational renewal has been launched.
The Renewal of Agriculture through Intergenerational Support and Empowerment (RAISE) project is co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and will run until April 2027.
RAISE will work to establish collaborative farming relationships between young and older farmers, underpinned by training, mentoring and a strong support network.
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president Edward Carr said that while many young people aspire to work the land, they often find themselves locked out by limited access to land, resources or mentorship.
“Meanwhile, older farmers face uncertainty about the future of their farms, also burdened by the emotional and financial weight of succession decisions,” he said.
“The future of farming lies in connection, not just to the land, but to one another. RAISE is about bridging the gap between generations and ensuring farming is something that people feel supported to enter and proud to pass on.”
Approach
Mentorship programmes will pair seasoned farmers with potential new entrants. A digital resource hub will centralise training modules, collaborative farming templates and real-world case studies.
Advisers and co-operative officers will be upskilled to act as facilitators, helping farming families navigate often sensitive succession conversations, and community forums and awareness campaigns will be designed to spark public dialogue and showcase the positive impact of collaboration.
“At the heart of the project is a belief in partnership and mutual respect,” added Carr.
“Whether it’s a young farmer searching for their first opportunity or an older farmer wondering who will walk the fields after them, RAISE seeks to offer them a roadmap.”
Actions
A steering group has been established which includes ICOS, Teagasc, University College Cork (UCC), Macra Na Feirme, Aurivo, Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies, Tirlán and three active farmer representatives, in a multi-stakeholder approach.
The initiative will be phased beginning with a needs assessment capturing the lived experiences, barriers and hopes of farmers.
From there, a comprehensive programme of training and capacity building will be rolled out, focusing on farm management, co-operative structures, communication and legacy building.
In its final phases, RAISE will move from training to practical action - offering guidance, building formal partnerships and opening pathways for farmers for the future.
Farmers from across the island can register for the initiative on the RAISE project website or contact Billy Goodburn of ICOS Skillnet by email on billy.goodburn@icos.ie.
Read more
Why succession talks should focus on more than money
Succession options showcased at share farming open day
Less than 13% of farmers able to progress careers – FRS Co-op
Losing young farmers is a threat to EU food production – Hansen
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