Strengthening Key Competences in Agriculture for Value Chain Knowledge

<< Background >>The European Union has adopted the circular economy as a key global strategy to advance societies toward the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This shift moves from the traditional linear model of production and consumption to one that prioritizes resource efficiency. Circular agriculture, a critical part of this approach, impacts not only the agri-food sector but also rural communities, landscapes, and the semi-natural environment.This transition requires a comprehensive management model that integrates all stages of the agri-food system, from production and consumption to waste management, fostering a closed-loop food supply chain. In this context, updates to higher education (HE) curricula are vital, ensuring that agricultural faculties train future professionals in sustainable practices.The SKILLS initiative promotes environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social equity. A key focus is on integrating circular agriculture principles into academic programs, ensuring that future professionals are well-equipped to contribute to a new, more sustainable agricultural era.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to enhance the skills development of target beneficiaries (students, potential students, and agricultural producers) by introducing the concepts of Circular Agriculture and Green Growth. It also sought to modernize agricultural curricula, making them more attractive to future students. Additionally, SKILLS focused on creating job opportunities and expanding career prospects in green skills and Circular Agriculture by improving the competencies of the target group. Ultimately, the SKILLS project promoted Circular Agriculture as a sustainable and resilient sector. The SKILLS consortium aimed to increase awareness of Circular Agriculture through a Baseline study on typology and training materials, which included practical know-how and a structured set of tools, modules and digital courses. These resources were designed to help agricultural practitioners shift their mindset and rethink their practices.<< Implementation >>To contribute to the modernization of programs and courses offered by the Faculties of Agriculture and to promote Circular Agriculture, the SKILLS project had planned a series of activities, including project meetings, result dissemination, national webinars and a media event. These activities were tailored to the needs of various target groups such as students, agricultural producers, potential future students, policymakers, researchers ans development practitioners. For the successful implementation of the SKILLS project, the following concrete activities were carried out: 1) Five transnational meetings were organized to discuss, coordinate, and implement project results. 2) Five key project results were produced: PR1. Baseline study on agricultural profiles; PR2. Green skills module; PR3. Agri-Lingua Practicum; PR4. Agro-food production toolkit; PR5. Digital course in Circular Agriculture. 3) National webinars were conducted based on the project results. 4) A large-scale media (Multiplier) event was held to promote the SKILLS project activities and the Erasmus+ program, facilitating networking among stakeholders in circular agriculture, sustainability, higher education and representatives from education ministries involved in curriculum development.<< Results >>The project achieved several key outcomes and outputs that significantly advanced its goals. First, a comprehensive Baseline Study in Agricultural Typology (PR1) was completed, providing foundational insights into agricultural profiles. Following this, a digital course in green skills (PR2) was developed, along with the establishment of an Agri-Lingua Practicum (PR3), which facilitated improved language skills for agricultural contexts. The project also organized national webinars based on these results, further disseminating knowledge and best practices.In addition, a toolkit for tourism-based agro-production (PR4) was developed, and a digital course in Circular Agriculture (PR5) was created to enhance sustainable practices. Efforts were made to attract more students to the Faculties of Agriculture and to improve the skills of agricultural producers and Circular Agriculture stakeholders.The project addressed crucial skill gaps that had previously hindered the income of agricultural producers. A strategic partnership was established among consortium participants, fostering the exchange and development of best practices in higher education and lifelong learning programs in agriculture. Networking and best practice sharing were promoted through webinars, a media event, and other dissemination activities.Overall, the project contributed to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in the consortium countries and beyond, while modernizing higher education in agriculture. The exposure to diverse research environments and international experiences aimed to enable academic staff and curriculum developers to make more informed decisions about their programs.