The project aimed to achieve the following objectives: OBJ 1: Coordinate action among VET centres, NGOs, public administrations, academia, and social economy enterprises at the European level to support the creation of future-oriented green jobs in the sustainable food security ecosystem, while increasing labour inclusion for vulnerable groups. OBJ 2: Promote European knowledge-sharing and peer-learning meetings so that organisations and new cross-sector actors can design, implement, and test an innovative research and VET training programme focused on working with people at risk of social exclusion in sustainable food and agriculture. OBJ 3: Increase opportunities for the continuous professional development of VET professionals and organisations, while enhancing access for low-skilled individuals to high-quality VET in key green competences within an inclusive and non-discriminatory framework. OBJ 4: Disseminate and scale up project results across Europe, especially the EU Guidelines to support local governments in adopting new approaches to fight food insecurity.
The organizations in the consortium designed and applied for the EU Food Security Hub project to develop responses to the persistent lack of educational opportunities, skills-building initiatives, and labour market integration pathways within food sovereignty, identified through years of practical experience. The project addressed several key needs identified through our work in vocational education and training (VET) and social inclusion. A major need was the green skills gap: while demand for green jobs in agriculture and food security grew, many low-skilled individuals lacked access to training. The project aimed to bridge this gap by aligning VET programs with labour market needs. We also addressed the lack of inclusive vocational training, as many systems failed to support marginalized groups. The project improved access with more tailored and inclusive educational approaches. Additionally, it focused on the professional development of VET practitioners, equipping them with updated tools to support at-risk groups. Finally, it promoted knowledge exchange and community resilience, particularly around food security, contributing to systemic change at the EU level.