The article describes the results and the experience gained in using a participatory approach to design a strategic development plan (SDP) in a veterinary public health institute. The bottom-up approach utilised was co-designed between the units of "Research and Innovation" and "Training". It included a survey administered to the institute staff (570 people) to collect inputs on three relevant areas: i) innovative research topics; ii) innovation needed to improve services; iii) new tools to carry out activities. After the survey, the following criteria were used to prioritise the research topics: appropriateness, relevance, capacity, impact and innovativeness. Based on the priority topics identified, small working groups were set up on a voluntary basis. The working groups, following the EuropeAid method, co-designed a SDP, set over a three-year period, with indications on aims, objectives, outputs, activities, SMART indicators, means of verification and targets. The method proved useful in continuing the process of institutional innovation, especially by stimulating the participation and commitment of younger innovative staff at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. The integration of the described method into regular management procedures would be desirable, to achieve more effective results.