SKILLS project aims to contribute towards up-to-date skills development of the target beneficiaries (students, potential students, agricultural producers) by introducing and promoting the concepts of Circular agriculture and Green Growth, as well as to boost the modernization of the curricula at the Faculties of agriculture by making them more attractive for the future students. Additionally, SKILLS puts to opening employment opportunities and widening the perspectives of jobs in the green skills and CA by boosting the skills of the target group.
Eventually, SKILLS project promotes the concept of Circular Agriculture as a sustainable, resilient branch. SKILLS consortium aims at enhancing and speeding up the awareness for Circular Agriculture through elaborating a Baseline study in typology and training material composed of practical know-how and a well structured set of tools, modules and digital courses that agricultural practitioners can go through and change their mindset and rethink their activities.
The following results have been produced in the framework of the project:
PR1 - Baseline study on employment challenges and potential for circular agriculture
Description:
PR1 assesses employment challenges and employability in agriculture, highlighting circular agriculture's impact. Identifies innovative practices and models, informing training and promoting circular agriculture awareness.
Impact
- Identifies employment challenges and innovative practices
- Establishes framework for comparing employability in agriculture
- Raises awareness and promotes adoption of circular agriculture
Transferability
- Comparative analysis model applicable beyond partner countries
- Resource for academic and institutional stakeholders
Innovation
- Comprehensive analysis integrating qualitative and quantitative methods
- Focus on European-level dynamics with national specificity
- Synthesis of findings for actionable insights
- 1.1 Report of Baseline Study on Employment Challenges and Potential for Circular Agriculture (link)
- 1.2 Survey Report on Respondents' Opinions on The State of Circular Agriculture, its Shortcomings and Development Opportunities (link)
PR2 - Digital course in green skills
PR2 aims to promote Green Growth by integrating policies to transform consumption behavior, industry structures, and technologies. The digital course focuses on enhancing green skills within the SKILLS consortium countries, addressing the lack of existing modules on green skills in higher education curricula. Content includes policy insights, skills development strategies, and private sector involvement in green job creation, fostering a sustainable and resource-efficient society.
Impact
- Enhancement of green skills among agricultural practitioners
- Integration of green growth policies and strategies into higher education curricula
- Promotion of sustainable agriculture and green job creation
Transferability
- Tool kit for green growth in agriculture applicable beyond consortium countries
- Incorporation of regulations, standards, and support measures for sustainable development
Innovation
- Comprehensive approach integrating policy insights, skills development strategies, and private sector involvement
- Direct engagement of students in data collection and round table discussions on green skills and jobs
- Step 1 - Collection of policies for changing consumers behaviour, industry structure and technology within green growth paradigm (link)
- Step 2 - Identification of green skills in agriculture (link)
- Step 3 - Green jobs survey (link)
- Step 4 - Digital course in green skills in agriculture and food:
- Module 1 Green Awareness (link)
- Module 2 Green Communication (link)
- Module 3a Green Agriculture and Food Markets (text, presentation)
- Module 3b Green Resolution Cultivating Green Solutions in Agriculture (link)
- Module 4a Farming Strategies (link)
- Module 4b Green Food Industry (link)
- Module 4c Green Problem Solving (link)
- Module 4d Selling Green Products (link)
- Module 4e Sustainable Tourism (link)
PR3 - Agrilingua Practicum
PR3 is a handbook in English tailored for agricultural purposes, addressing the need for specific linguistic skills in conferences, seminars, and scientific publications. Consisting of four modules from beginner to intermediate levels, it includes reading texts, comprehension exercises, grammar, vocabulary, and writing tasks for agriculture. Developed based on English for Specific Purposes, it modernizes English language learning in agricultural contexts.
Impact
- Upgraded linguistic skills for students, academic staff, and agriculture practitioners
- Improved ability to connect with knowledge, networks, and institutions for productivity and employment opportunities
Transferability
- Integration within existing courses at higher education level
- Open access publication
- Self-study based material adaptable to diverse learning contexts
Innovation
- Specific tailored materials for agriculture purposes
- Dual usage as teaching material and self-study resource
- Integration of English language learning with agricultural content
- The PR3 is available here.
PR4 - Tool in agri-food production
PR4 focuses on developing a tourism-based agri-production tool-kit to empower local communities by promoting circular agriculture. Through exploratory interviews and analysis, the tool-kit identifies suitable agricultural products for tourism markets, efficient marketing options, and strategies for establishing linkages between agri-product suppliers and tourism actors. The objective is to enhance skills in production and marketing of tourism-based agricultural products, fostering economic development and counteracting migration from rural areas.
Impact
- Improved skills of agri-product suppliers and workers in tourism-based agricultural production
- Economic development through promotion of circular agriculture and tourism
- Integration of tool-kit as course material for lifelong learning
Transferability
- Employment opportunities in food production management, food quality engineering, and agro-food industries
- Application of tool-kit in diverse geographical contexts beyond consortium countries
Innovation
- Promotion of tourism-based agro-food production, an underexploited sector in partner countries
- Integration of advanced-level training in production management and food process engineering
PR5 - Digital course in circular agriculture
PR5 develops a university-level course in circular agriculture, focusing on transitioning to a circular economy in agriculture to improve resource efficiency and profitability. The course materials are tailored to the specific needs of students, agricultural producers, and practitioners, providing insights into opportunities, technologies, and strategies for implementing circular agriculture practices. Through webinars and innovative teaching methods, beneficiaries gain a comprehensive understanding of circular economy concepts, current trends, and potential applications in agricultural value chains.
Impact
- Direct training on circular economy principles applied to agriculture, enhancing skills and knowledge among beneficiaries
- Mentality shift towards active participation in circular agriculture practices
- Indirect benefits for executives, trainers, and experts involved in decision-making and technology selection for circular economy activities
Innovation
- Tailored course materials focusing on circular agriculture, including case examples and best practices
- Integration of innovative teaching methods such as digital game-based learning and experiential learning
- Constant engagement with beneficiaries through social media, blog articles, and newsletters for ongoing project updates
- The digital course in available here.
Project coordinator: University of the Aegean, Greece
Project partners: Association for Internationalization of Education and Science (North Macedonia), Distretto Agroalimentare Regionale (Italy), Vytauto Didziojo Universitetas (Lithuania), Asociatia de Dezvoltare Intercomunitara Harghita (Romania).
The project is co-funded by the European Union.
Project reference number: 2021-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000023289
