Promote Online Education for Agriculture in a Sustainable Environment

The background of the project originates in the challenges faced by the ATVET sector (Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training ) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the situation being extraordinary and challenging for everyone, the forced lock-down highlighted the weaknesses of this educational system, which heavily relies on in-presence education. The purpose of this project was to investigate how did the ATVET institution cope with the situation, which tools did they use and which feedback did they get from the students. At the same time, the purpose of the project was to identify the needs of the sector and the eventual challenges limiting their upskilling in digital competences, which are now essential not only for distance learning but also for operating in the agricultural sector as efficiently as possible.

The overall goal of the project was to equip ATVET providers with tools which could make their educational tasks easier: by tools, it is meant both knowledge on specific softwares which could simplify their teaching work, but also knowledge on different topics related to sustainability in agriculture. By sustainability it is here intended not only the one related to the environmental impact generated by agriculture, but also the economic sustainability; farming is becoming every day more expensive, international competition is increasing, so one of the few solutions the sector has is to use new technologies for becoming more efficient.

During the project the following activities were carried out: • 4 transnational meetings, of which the kick-off meeting was online, where the partnership could meet in presence. During the three in-presence events, open sessions were organized involving representatives of the target group (ATVET) and the general public. The outputs from the discussions were taken in consideration for the development of the educational material • 1 short term staff-training event, lasting 5 days • 4 Multiplier events (online and/or in presence) in Denmark, Spain, Ireland and Greece. During these events the results of the project and the developed tool were disseminated to the target group and the general public. • Info sessions, where the participants representing the ATVET and the educational sector were presented with the results and the educational material developed during the project. Participants were trained on the use of the platform and on its potentials (both from the pure technical / digital aspect and from the educational side). To increase the potential impact of the project, these info sessions will continue with a monthly frequency also after the project end. Currently, dates are planned up to December 2024, with potential extension based on the interest and participation.

• Training material: Free educational material was developed and can now be integreated in the activities of the different ATVET providers. The material covered a considerable range of topics which can provide good inspiration for educators. Of course, not everything will be relevant for all the countries or institutions; nevertheless, the variety of the content allows to cover a considerable spectrum of knowledge, from sustainability in agriculture to the digital upskilling of the users. • MOOC platform: the platform was selected for its simplicity of use and practicality, as opposed to others used in education. Simplicity was an important requirements because, as highlighted during the desk research, ATVET institutions devote different resources for the formation of staff in digital solutions. The selected platform is an existing commercial solution, which individual ATVET institutions can decide to purchase (or use in its free version), making easier to transition to digital. • Reports summarizing the results of the desk research • Brochures, in all project languages, advertising the project • Country-based platform analysis • Feasibility tool for installation of renewable energy in an agricultural setup