AgriEco aims to build competitive knowledge-based youth milieu for developing agri-entrepreneurial potential and creativity competencies; to develop knowledge and skills to stimulate ecoinnovations as prioritized by the principles of the circular economy. Recognizing the developmental characteristics and mechanisms of the agri-market and labor environment, policy and economic conditions and factors, AgriEco will accumulate, assess and adapt proper initiatives in agri-entrepreneurship within the country-partners and shall enable sharing and development of innovative new tools, approaches and delivery methods in the field. AgriEco shall set the ground for a skilled and adaptable workforce with high-level qualifications and practically-based orientation; fostering the relationship between universities, business, NGOs, youth organizations and stimulating them for a wider participation in the practical realization of the HE students. AgriEco teaching technique follows the experiential learning model, based around the idea: “Tell me, and I forget; show me, and I remember; involve me, and I understand”. Within the framework of the project it is expected to achieve the following results: 1. Offer accessible and flexible intensive training programme, coupled with blended mobility exchanges – theoretical and practical - for higher education students, to contribute to their chosen field of work, leading to real professional realization and job outcomes. 2. Encourage business to cooperate with higher education systems and establish efficient partnership to maintain balance between business needs and academic processes and to promote youth professional realization on the market. 3. Establish efficient relationships with stakeholders and increase strategic partnerships that support professional pathways of the young people e.g. mentor support and business coaching that will ensure sustainability of project achievements. Project methodology is built upon the general idea of creating a comprehensive framework to encompass the developmental characteristics and mechanisms of the youth environment, policy and economic conditions and factors. Work packages are planned as follows: • WP 1 “Shaping a holistic model of educational approach towards agri-entrepreneurship and innovation” • WP 2 “Comparative analysis of the stakeholders – successful examples at strategic and implementation level – TOWS analysis, possibility for win-win outcomes” • WP 3 “Interregional capacity building and learning - address knowledge gaps using/sharing regionally situated expertise. Pilot testing of key learning modules” • WP 4 “Intensive training session and blended training” • WP 5 “Dissemination and valorization of results” • WP 6 “Management” Participating organizations will have the opportunity to share best practices, develop network opportunities, innovate training, teaching and learning processes, improve transversal skills and competencies, practices and opportunities. In addition will be developed and maintained relationships with employers to clearly communicate what is expected from the young people before start of their work experience. Consortium members will also benefit from strengthening their capacity in providing tools, instruments and content on students’ entrepreneurial culture and education and experience as well for their staff to work within this target field. Students will receive direct assistance in creating/developing their own businesses through receiving adequate agri-entrepreneurship training, counselling and coaching, and technical assistance. Further potential benefits for students include: • gaining career readiness skills including the “soft skills” that employers look for in entry level workers; • increasing one’s knowledge of specific occupational skills and workplace settings; • establishing connections with employers that can aid in future job searches; • developing an understanding of different occupations in order to make informed career choices. AgriEco aspires to contribute to the needed of systemic change, where cross-sectoral collaboration align the higher education with the real industry and economic needs and identify areas where significant added value to the knowledge and learning, engagement of local authorities and business community at the European level will be achieved. Through the incorporated sustainability and transferability strategy, the AgriEco will: • Ensure that the quality of high education and generated knowledge is in the heart of youth employment levels, regional economic and developmental policies and strategic priorities; • Stimulate private sector to actively participate in educational process and evaluation of educational levels achieved; • Improve students’ quality and expertize and declare their position of active citizens; • Enhance students’ participation in building local economy; • Increase opportunities for international student exchange.
SO1: Better integration of the education within the European research community The sustainable contribution through AgriEco is along four lines: co-defining education aligned with the individual learning process, the content of structured training and practical experience; implementing novel integrated forms of training; co-shaping education towards the better recognition by the real sector; and, establishing new partnerships that will hold long beyond the time scope of the AgriEco project. SO2: Upgrading learning and training capacity and capability The underlying theme embedded in the AgriEco is that students are both the generator and the user of knowledge. Involving non-academic partners took the scientists-practitioner model as a guiding principle, focusing on both the theory and its application associated with all content areas. SO3: Improved educational capacity for regional economic and social development Young people are often opposed to the greatest barriers in employment, access to quality education and training. With the support of the HEI, business, and public authorities – AgriEco made it possible to develop and to maintain an environment that enhanced entrepreneurial and innovation spirit among AgriEco trainees.
Addressing the EU’s Green Agenda. The ultimate objective of AgriEco is to turn academia into a rapidly progressing educational centers targeted at bioeconomy and agricultural sustainability, eco-innovation and entrepreneurship, with a pool of highly competitive, internationally based experts, responsive to the socio-economic regional and European context. Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training. AgriEco vision is to move towards sustainability with fundamental shift and incremental steps in education, training and learning process. Our blueprint addressed the skills needed in the emerging green innovation with impact over the agricultural sector and entrepreneurial activity. AgriEco proved as an excellent experience with regard to: improved portfolio offering advanced training programmes; new competencies and experience; new educational methods; efficient connection “research2business”. Enhancing creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students. AgriEco channeled consistent attempts by HEI, business, local and regional public authorities – all committed to developing and maintaining an environment to enhance youth entrepreneurial spirit and to foster a transition toward sustainable solutions.