Skills Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture Erasmus Project

Project Title

Skills Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

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 : Sector Skills Alliances in vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

The aim of SAGRI “Skills Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture” project was to provide the agricultural workers (mainly farmers), as well as other agricultural stakeholders with knowledge, skills and competences in the field of agro-environmental technology for sustainable agriculture. SAGRI project enabled agricultural workers to acquire the skills, knowledge and ability to understand and approach agri-environmental systems as natural ecosystems modified by human activity, though with an emphasis on environmental technologies that can be applied to achieve sustainable crop production by means of improved systems’ management.The main project results, which were achieved during the project lifetime, can be summarized as following:- The identification of specific skills (with particular focus on “green skills” and “digital skills”) that agricultural workers require, as well as the analysis of most recent practical advancements of the agricultural sector. These results were useful for the development of SAGRI training programme. – The development of an innovative curriculum that responds to specific training needs of agricultural workers and integrates the latest advancements of the “agri-tech” sector. The programme abides by the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) standards. Six (6) training modules were developed targeting to a max EQF level 4, supported by relevant learning and assessment material: Module 1: Precision AgricultureModule 2: Integrated pest management in plant protectionModule 3: Agricultural reuse of organic residualsModule 4: Drip irrigation and water conserving technologiesModule 5: Renewable energy and its application as green agriculture energy sourceModule 6: Bioenergy and energy crops- The development of a virtual learning platform which makes all training resources widely available as Open Educational Resources (OER). The SAGRI OER platform (www.sagri-vet.eu) is linked to the SAGRI website (www.sagriproject.eu) and both will remain active and sustainable beyond the project end. The SAGRI OER platform as well as the project website are available in English and all consortium languages.- The organization of training workshops and the delivery of the SAGRI training programme in 219 agriculture engineers, agricultural researchers and extension staff in three partner countries (Greece, Portugal and Italy).- The organization of training workshops and the delivery of the SAGRI curriculum in 855 agricultural workers/farmers in all partner countries.- The development of the certification scheme where the trained agricultural workers can be assessed and awarded with the certification of “sustainable farmer” according the international standard ISO/IEC 17024 for personnel certification. – A plethora of dissemination activities bringing together major stakeholders of the agricultural sector, including agricultural workers (mainly farmers), extension staff and agriculturists, Higher Education Institutions, VET providers and social partners such as: * Portfolio of dissemination material * SAGRI website* SAGRI Facebook page* YouTube Channel* Participation and Publications in conferences, exhibitions, Trade Fairs, info days etc. * Interviews and Articles in Newspapers* Training workshops to the agricultural extension staff* Training workshops to the agricultural workers/farmers* Dissemination Conference at the end of the projectA developed exploitation strategy will ensure the sustainability of the project’s results which will be maintained and exploited beyond the project lifetime. Particularly, the innovative curriculum, supported by relevant learning and assessment material will be integrated into the education and training programme of the partner Universities and VET partners specifically indented for agricultural worker.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 1037917 Eur

Project Coordinator

GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON & Country: EL

Project Partners

• SWISS APPROVAL TECHNISCHE BEWERTUNGAE
• CONFEDERAZIONE GENERALE DELL AGRICOLTURA ITALIANA
• REGIBIO – FORMACAO E CONSULTADORIA, SOCIEDADE UNIPESSOAL LDA
• CONFEDERACAO DOS AGRICULTORES DE PORTUGAL
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA BASILICATA
• E.RI.FO.-ENTE DI RICERCA E FORMAZIONE
• EUROTRAINING EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION