The establishment and implementation of sustainable agricultural development strategies bring together a large number of stakeholders with different competencies. Expert Groups are an opportunity for stakeholders with different perspectives yet united by having a stake in a shared issue to engage in joint activities.

Concrete issues pertaining to sustainable agricultural development provide a point of departure and general frame for the work undertaken by the clusters. The scope of the work is however dynamic to allow them to respond to the needs of their members. Issues can thus be redefined and there may be a turnover of members during the lifetime of a cluster group.

Expert Groups do not aim to establish consensus on the issue but to examine different perspectives, hypotheses and evidence to enable systemic and integrated approaches to the multi-functionality of agriculture.

A number of issues which, amongst others, can inspire expert group work were highlighted by stakeholders in Sweden in the Inception of SIANI Report.