Agrifood4Future

Objectives of the Project

• Contribute to the transformation of the agri-food sector towards digitalisation, decarbonisation, and sustainability.
• Support the large-scale implementation of new and emerging agriculture practices, such as climate-smart agriculture, precision agriculture, regenerative and organic practices
• Provide the necessary soft and technical skills, raising awareness, and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset for the “agriculture of the future” for young people and workers in the agri-food sector.

Expected Main Results

• Analysis of needs at different levels before the definition of the training programmes, encompassing three aspects: skills gaps in workers, skills requested by the labour market and the VET ecosystem weaknesses
• Based on analysis, the creation of training offers a key element which is the transmission to the learners of soft and digital skills and knowledge related to innovation, sustainability, and green entrepreneurship. 
• Development of a joint EQF level 3-5 program for technicians in smart farming and environmental sustainability in the food system. 
• Set-up of a transnational joint Master of Science, and development of Master and PhD training courses. 
• Design of a lifelong learning programme for farmers, on smart agriculture and digital farming, climate smart-farming and new sustainable practices among others.
• Development of an 18–24-month capacity-building program for agri-food SMEs and farmers.
• Establishment of work-based learning and visits, for example through a network of exemplary farms on regenerative farming practices as an instrument for peer-to-peer learning and internships, an open innovation test farm program for start-ups, farmers, and VET students

Project Activities

The project work foresees the following work packages:

WP1 Project management and coordination 

WP2 Skills needs assessment & preparatory work: state-of-the-art & knowledge base 

WP3 Cooperation, networking, and partnership building

WP4 Development of innovative teaching and training programmes in smart farming and sustainable food systems

WP5 Governance, funding and sustainability post-project

WP6 Dissemination, follow-up, and VET promotion towards excellence

The following activities are included in the main WPs 2-5:

Action #1: Skills gaps intelligence & assessment of market needs in smart farming and sustainable food systems (WP2)
Action #2: Design a training programme for technicians in smart farming and environmental sustainability in the food system (EQF level 3-5) (WP4)
Action #3: Development of a transnational joint Master of Science, and Master and PhD training courses (EQF level 6-9) (WP4)
Action #4: Design of a farmer’s advisors training programme (lifelong learning level) (WP4)
Action #5: Develop a capacity-building program for agrifood SMEs and farmers (WP4)
Action #6: Establish a network of lighthouse farms on regenerative farming practices as an instrument for peer-to-peer learning and internships (WP3) 
Action #7: Application & practical demonstration of smart farming tools, including living labs, demo days and COVE site/farm visits (WP3)
Action #8: Develop an open innovation test farm program for startups, farmers, and VET students (WP3)
Action #9:  Design and delivery of an international summer school (Student training and VET promotion) (WP6)
Action #10: Design and implementation of Agrofood Government & VET Academy towards the improvement of the VET and innovation ecosystem in agro-food sector (WP5)