Green Logistics e-Training in Cereal/Rice Sector Erasmus Project

Project Title

Green Logistics e-Training in Cereal/Rice Sector

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: Open and distance learning; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal)

Project Summary

The scope of the project is to develop and deliver a customised e-learning program to all interested parties in the agri-food supply chain focusing on cereals and rice (workers, supervisors, managers, farmers, producers, carriers, supply chain companies, warehousing and packaging companies, packing and freight forwarders, etc) in four Euro-Mediterranean countries (Greece, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus).
Green logistics and grain sector were selected to set the framework of this project, because of their strategic importance in the regional and national economy . These countries are struggling to find ways to overcome financial crisis and quest sustainable growth. Towards this direction, supporting evidence indicate that logistics and agriculture may be the springboard for their growth.

The coordinator, Department of Logistics Management (DLM, TEI of Sterea Ellada, Greece) is a HEI and its faculty members possess deep academic and business expertise in logistics, supply chain management, skills development, VET and e-learning. It is active in significant extended networks on local, regional and European level.
EIEO (Greece) is an Institute focused on education and training in the field of agriculture, and develops expertise in EU agricultural policy, and precision agriculture.
SEEDYZ (Greece) is a member of COCERAL (European association representing the trade in cereals, rice, feedstuffs, oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats and agrosupply) and has a variety of members covering the whole cereals supply chain, providing valuable experience in transferring the scientific knowledge to practice and VET.
SODEBUR (Spain) is a public body, which provides services to the Province of Burgos and its municipalities, and works to promote social and economical development of the Province. SODEBUR has a wide experience in the communication, dialogue and exchange with the most important entities, administrations and stakeholders at provincial, regional and national level.
IAPA(Cyprus ) is a Non Governmental Organisation which has developed serious expertise on the field of rural and regional development in Cypriot agriculture.
IPC (Portugal) delivers graduate studies in various fields, including business administration, communication and information science, and agricultural sciences, and has grounded long-term partnerships with private enterprises, public entities (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture) and other HEIs at the national and international level.
Building on the integration of the knowledge triangle (higher education, research and business), training requirements surveys charting the current skills & competencies profiles of the logisticians in alignment with the best practices provided by the cereal and rice sector professionals, lay the foundation for the e-training program for the agrifood supply chain. Additionally, mapping the cereal and rice sector, as well as the collection of best practices in green logistics, guided the identification of project’s outcomes potential users (target groups). In particular, two field surveys were conducted, adopting qualitative and quantitative research methods (personal interviews, structured questionnaires, online survey tools). Findings grounded stakeholders’ skills profiling in the agri-food supply chain, and pointed out the lack of specific categories of skills and competencies in order to achieve higher performance . Thus, results guided project’s training curriculum content in four languages (English, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese) grouped in three distinct categories of skills and competencies: (i) Green logistics and operational skills in agro-food sector; (ii) Organisational skills (iii) ICT skills and competencies. The training program is completed with the evaluation which leads to the awarding of certificate of attendance by the TEISTE in alignment with ECVET guidelines. In addition, a trainer guide has been developed to support learners as facilitators for the creation of business networks and clusters. Moreover, a Documentary about the Journey of seeds was created (from crop to fork) to disseminate project’s results and raise public awareness.
The development and identification of best practices in the supply chain enhances awareness and highlight the importance of this sector. Consequently, aligning e-learning with national policies & strategies may secure sustainable growth as an asset for local and national economies. At the same time, cultivating a culture of distance learning among young farmers, workers, managers and entrepreneurs also brings multiplier benefits to the agri-food industry as it can easily be adapted and transmitted to other sectors. In this context, entrepreneurship is fostered and the involvement of young people (students, farmers, business managers and scientists) is strengthened by improving the quality of work through effective training actions and cross-border cooperation.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 291041 Eur

Project Coordinator

TECHNOLOGIKO EKPEDEFTIKO IDRIMA STEREAS ELLADAS & Country: EL

Project Partners

• Cyprus Institute for Rural and Regional Development
• SYNDESMOS ELLINON EMPORON KAI EXAGOGEON DIMITRIAKON YPOPROIONTON KAI ZOOTROFON
• EVROPAIKO INSTITOUTO EXELIXIS KAI OLOKLIROSIS
• SOCIEDAD PARA EL DESAROLLO DE LA PROVINCIA DE BURGOS
• INSTITUTI PRINCIPE REAL – ASSOCIACAO PARA A INOVACAO E DESENVOLVIMENTO
• INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DE COIMBRA