Eco-DESsign training for agricultural and FOOD industry Erasmus Project

Project Title

Eco-DESsign training for agricultural and FOOD industry

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Energy and resources; Open and distance learning; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

The aim of the EcoDESforFOOD + project has been to develop and provide an online training platform, in four languages ​​(English, Spanish, Greek and Swedish), with open and free access, on some aspects related to the ecodesign of packaging for the food industry, with an interdisciplinary and transversal focus, aimed at the main professionals involved in the design and production of agri-food packaging.

The e-learning platform includes the following modules: Techniques and methodologies to assess the environmental impact; Environmental impact assessment; Management options for the use of packaging waste and recovery techniques and final disposal of packaging; Materials (new materials and better options for the agri-food industry); eco-packaging and food packaging; Food-packaging interactions, sensory quality and shelf-life of foods according to packaging: best available technologies; and practical case studies.

The target audience to which the project is directed is:

– Design professionals such as industrial design engineers and graphic designers.
– Administrators of agro-industrial SMEs.
– Employers in the packaging sector and / or agri-food products.
– Marketing professionals with an interest in ecodesign
The project seeks to improve the training of these professionals, since the criteria that define the design of a new container more sustainable from an environmental perspective, are affected by many aspects that must be considered in an integral manner and that include different areas of knowledge such as logistics, packaging weight and volume, new materials available for food products and their interactions, food packaging, marketing criteria, best available technologies, end-of-life treatment of packaging waste, regulations and legislation, etc.

The project has followed the following METHODOLOGY:

1). Development of previous activities: At the beginning of the project, a double analysis was carried out in the different participating countries. On the one hand, the training offer of contents related to ecodesign was analyzed, and on the other hand, 44 professionals from the sector were contacted, and their needs and level of knowledge in ecodesign were analyzed.
2) According to the results obtained from both tasks, a transnational matrix of competences that professionals will acquire after the development of EcoDESforFOOD training was developed.
3) Development of e-learning methodology
4) Development of the seven training modules and / or Intellectual Outputs of the project, in 4 languages

Some of the ACHIEVEMENTS and BENEFITS of the project that can be mentioned are:

– Development of an online training platform, open and free of charge and in 4 languages
– Good impact of the project on project in the press, specialized magazines and / or relevant stakeholders.
– Contribution to the development of an integral and holistic education in Ecodesign, which will complement and improve the level of professional qualification of European professionals involved in the development of packaging for the food industry.
– Contribution to the improvement of the sustainability of the agri-food industry through the promotion of Ecodesign.
– European contribution towards an efficient society in the use of resources, which produces less waste and which, whenever possible, moves towards a “recycling society”.
– Contribution to a reduction of the environmental impact of products and processes, to a more efficient production, that saves raw materials and energy.
– Development of new business opportunities.
– Adaptation and compliance with current regulations and sustainability guidelines in the EU.

The entities participating in the EcoDESfor FOOD + work consortium have a solid background in Ecodesign and linkages with the agri-food sector, which ensures a solid and balanced structure to ensure high standards of project quality and contribute to an improvement of the qualification of the professionals that make up the target audience.
The Consortium is formed by the following entities:

– Aula Dei Technological Science Park: Project Coordinator. Spanish entity, with a solid experience in project management and knowledge transfer to companies in the food and environmental sector, and which has a dynamic and highly qualified staff.
– University of Zaragoza: Participant in the project through the research group I + aiTIIP,
Expert methodologies and life cycle analysis.
– Technical University of Lulea: Swedish entity with an expert department in materials and new materials.
– Marketmentoro: Cypriot consultant with extensive experience in European projects and professional training services.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 194251 Eur

Project Coordinator

FUNDACION PARQUE CIENTIFICO TECNOLOGICO AULA DEI & Country: ES

Project Partners

• UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
• LULEA TEKNISKA UNIVERSITET
• Marketmentoro Ltd