"<< Objectives >>The project aims to structure an educational course on environmental sustainability for young people in agricultural VET schools. It will be carried out by expert trainers together with the teachers involved, responding to all the necessary needs to prepare students to realize a sustainable development. Teachers and educatoris will then be formed to look at the future of education by considering the labour market and the green sustainability.<< Implementation >>The project includes project management activities, a training activity for educators together with two experts, the development of a manual on a course to be implemented, a testing phase with 2 classes in the last year and finally the publication of the manual and dissemination of results.<< Results >>The general objestive of the project, in addition to the direct experimental application on the territory and linked to the needs of the proponents, is the creation of a ""model"" that can be exported to other contexts and can be adapted according to their specific needs.The project will therefore have a benefit not only on the actors involved (primarily educators and students), but also on the associations, bodies and territories involved."

"The prevalence of gender discrimination in all its forms has been and continues to be a major concern in European societies, although continuous and extensive efforts have largely succeeded in eradicating it. Nevertheless, restrictions on women's labor continue to be a key obstacle for Europe's sustainable economic and social development. As evidenced by the Eurostat 2018 statistics, although the employment rate for women aged 20-64 in the European Union (EU) has risen to 67%, an increase of one percentage point from the previous year, it was still 12 relative units lower than the corresponding percentage for men of the same age. Focusing more on the statistics of 2018 regarding the partner countries of this project, we realize that unemployed women in Greece reach about 51%, which means that about 1 in 2 women is unemployed, in Italy 47% (about 1 in every 2 women is unemployed), 31% in Cyprus (about 1 in 3 women is unemployed), 39% in Romania (about 1 in 3 women is unemployed) and 35% in Poland, which also means 1 in 3 women between 20-64 years old is unemployed.In addition to the restriction of women's employment due to family obligations, the conditions for improving this situation are further exacerbated when, in an age of technology explosion, women from disadvantage groups remain in technological inactivity and consequently lose their job opportunities, being unable to acquire digital skills.Under the common need to empower women and increase their presence in the labor market, the 5 organizations from the 4 aforementioned countries came together around one goal - the promotion of action and the exchange of good practices in the field of digital technology, in order to strengthen and facilitate professional (and social) integration into the labor market of women aged 20 to 60 (especially those belonging to vulnerable groups).To achieve this goal, the partnership designed four short-term joint educational events during which the target groups will be taught in 4 Work Unites in the form of workshops: (1) Digital Alphabetics - Women Update (2) Internet and Risks (3) Digital Business Skills (4) Online Marketing Strategies.In addition, the designed website of the project as a link between partner organizations, will disseminate knowledge and training to women through various methods (forums, lecture material, etc.), while through the design of an public awareness campaign the team aims to the interaction of the target-groups with the public, communicating the message and pushing those responsible for decision-making to take responsibilities into the field of project’s objectives.Having as target groups adult and community educators, ICT and digital technology experts belonging to partner groups, as well as low digitally specialized women from disadvantaged groups, our corporate partnership through the implementation of ambitious actions and our common commitment to their sustainability, proposes ""Closing the Gap"", a project that, as its name suggests, will try to ""close the gaps"", by “opening” the way for equal integration of women in the labor market."

<< Background >>According to the findings published by WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), which present the dietary habits of 132 489 children, 42.5% consume fresh fruit every day and 22.6% consume vegetables every day. 10.3% of children consume sweet snacks and 9.4% soft drinks on a daily basis. The WHO highlights that action is urgently needed to promote healthy eating habits among children in all the countries of the European Region, especially to increase daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to this, food preferences and eating habits established in adolescence tend to be maintained into adulthood, which makes increasing fruit consumption among children and adolescents an important public health issue. Unfortunately because of the poor awareness, even when young people consume vegetables and “real food” they still choose ones that are unhealthy: sprayed with pesticides, fed with synthetic fertilisers and those, genetically modified. The pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in industrial vegetables are causing the long term damage of gut bacterial flora which has a direct, devastating effect on our health and quality of life. Through the output of the project, we believe that Year 2022 is the best time to raise awareness about this topic and educate our young people regarding healthy practices and diet. Furthermore, mobile phones, tablets, netbooks, laptops and computers are just some of the devices that are frequently used — often on a daily basis — by a large proportion of the population of the EU, particularly by young people. Unfortunately: Youngsters crave for more screen time, even though recommended daily screen time is 2 hours, (WHO). In 2019 (Eurostat), 94 % of young people in the EU-27 made daily use of the internet, compared with 77 % for the whole population. In 2019, 92 % of young people used mobile phones to access the internet away from home or work, compared with 52 % who used a portable computer in this way.On the other hand, young people demand more apps, more fun, and even more socialisation through digital platforms. This is a trend everyone is aware of. Some are against it, but we are not neglecting facts, we’re embracing them: Instead of limiting the use of smartphones and screen time, why don’t we encourage using them for good purposes? How? By encouraging the target audience to create their own content and study life skills at the same time. Self expression is a life goal of the youth and the solution we offer will contribute in that a lot. We plan to develop and offer our own rules for digital learning. Because limiting digital is like swimming against the stream. We should use the existing digital trends in order to cultivate positive practices. “Yourganic Way” project targets to present positive practices to young people by packaging them as fun digital activities. We believe that young people need more vegetables (real ones), more knowledge about what they eat, more positive habits. We believe that real happiness doesn't originate from the insulin spike from a sugary energy drink, but it is derived from a healthy body and mindset.The project also provides added value to develop innovative tools for the field of youth through the creation of an informative modules and on how to use gardening and farming in youth work.<< Objectives >>In line with the priorities of Erasmus+ Program, our project focuses on following objectives:1. Supporting purposeful use of digital technologies in youth work, through creating the digital education content (informative modules) and a gamified Mobile Application, in the field of organic gardening and healthy diet which will facilitate/support the collaboration and boost positive practices between young people, youth workers and farmers.2. Educating and engaging young people by using innovative gamified Mobile Application, on the topic of healthy nutrition, sustainable and ecological food production.The special aims of Yourganic Way project are: - to encourage positive health practices among youth, through demonstrating engaging and innovative approaches in food production, particularly greens and vegetables; - to raise awareness of young people on food health issues and inspire them to adopt the most sustainable ways to produce heathy food and prioritise organic produce; and- to provide young people with a Mobile Application called “My Pet Veggie” where they can grow and harvest their organic vegetables. With real life consequences. With the implementation of the above work packages, the following outputs will be developed: O1: Informative Modules, developed by the collaboration of Farmers and Youth-workers O2: Gamified Mobile Application about DIY Healthy Food and Nutrition.<< Implementation >>The main activities planned for the project have been summarised in four work packages (WP1-4) to provide a clear and complete work program to lead to the achievement of the objectives and planned results: WP-1: Development of the informative modules (O1) for youth workers as trainers and facilitators (M1-M8): 1.1. Research Activities in order to find out target groups' needs1.1.1. Surveying with young people1.1.2. Interviewing with youth workers1.2. Development of informative modules (for 4 themes) for youth workers as trainers, facilitator or mentors1.2.1. Defining of the scope/framework of the informative modules1.2.2. Development of the informative modules contents (energizer, activities, evaluations and dissemination)WP-2: Development of gamified mobile application for young people (M9-M17)2.1. Defining of technical architecture and documentation of the Mobile Application in line with O12.2. Defining gamification elements (badges, score, leadership board, awards, avatars)2.3. Prototyping and UX Designing of the Mobile Application2.4. Designing the portal in a multi-linguistic structure.2.5. Development of the the Gamified Mobile ApplicationWP-3: Local Actions (training seminar for youth workers, digital gamified learning activities for young people) (M9-M19)3.1. Organising training seminar for 40-60 youth workers.3.2. Organising the digital gamified learning activities through the mobile application for 100 young people (20 young people per each country).WP-4: Piloting: Transnational learning activity for young people in Greece (M20):The leader of WP-4 is iAgroCert from Greece. This work package includes the 20th month of the project. WP-4 will consist of the following activities:4.1. Selection of participants (12 young people)4.2. Informing Participants4.3. Pre-End Knowledge Test for Participants4.4. Implementation of international learning activity in the field/garden4.5. Performing face-to-face interviews with participants for feedback4.6. Analysing Findings and Process Assessment4.7. Preparation of Pilot Scheme Report<< Results >>With the implementation of the above work packages, the following outputs will be developed: O1: Informative Modules, developed by the collaboration of Farmers and Youth-workers O2: Gamified Mobile Application about DIY Healthy Food and Nutrition. Beyond this final expected output, some expected results are summarised to different levels as follows:Expected Results During the Project:- Advanced cross/multi-cultural cooperation among the project partners- Increased capacities and professionalism of project partners in the field of organic gardening, youth work and healthy nutrition. - Improved management competences and internationalisation strategies of the project partners in the field of youth education- Increased cooperation and know-how sharing between multi-sector (youth education, digitalisation, organic farming) and cross-sector (NGOs, adult education institutions and higher education institution)- Promote non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth;- Practicing Inclusion and Diversity Strategy through actualisation of rural farmers living in remorse areas. They will be active participants of Yourganic Way on both educational resources development and APP functioning stages. Expected Results After Completion of the Project:- Increased quality of youth educational support through outputs developed- Facilitated and more accessible skill development methodology in post COVID-19 period which created a huge demand for healthy practices. - Changing perception and making the vegetables “Cool” and shareable on Social Media. - Improved common understanding of relevant stakeholders such as youth education professionals, farmers and facilitators. - Inspiring youth and contributing to their awareness of healthy nutrition and organic farming. - Altering the context of usage of smartphones and Social Media, making a passive user into an active one. Boosting user generated content, through implementing new standards of behaviour and trends. - Contributing to Digital creativity and educational habits that address the issues of health, nutrition and organic gardening. - More synergy for youth education on mentioned subjects, through trans-sectoral cooperation in the COVID-19 period;- More innovative products and services developed for the youth education;- Strengthened links between youth education stakeholders with organisations in organic farming and nutrition.Expected Results After Completion of the Project in the Target Groups:- Youngsters, which are aware of possible harmful chemicals in their foods, where to expect them and methods to avoid consuming them. - Youth, who has developed an understanding of the importance of healthy diet. - Youth, who, in case of further interest is able to provide them self and society with organically grown vegetables. - More healthy usage of Social media and technological gadgets, both: Literally and laterally. - Increased digital literacy. (Farmers)- Understanding and appreciation of digital platforms in order to sell the product more effectively. (Farmers)

<< Background >>In recent years, the EU has made considerable efforts to shift toward a more sustainable agriculture. Both the European Green Deal and the new EU Common Agricultural Policy strive to achieve sustainability at social, environmental and economic level and set different goals, among which securing a fair income and a stable economic future for farmers, supporting rural communities and the essential role of agriculture in wider society, increasing competitiveness and supporting the digital transition in agriculture.In fact, also in the agricultural sector, as in many others, the EU is pushing for a digital revolution by supporting specific schemes and offering financial incentives to farms, through the CAP and funding programmes, such as H2020. Digital technologies can support European farmers in providing safe, sustainable and quality food. Digital technologies also bring opportunities to develop new business models and they are likely to increase rural attractiveness, in particular for younger generations (OECD, 2019). Although the prospects of eventually integrating the Industry 4.0 technologies, practices and mindset in the agricultural domain are good, adoption will take time (EC, 2017). The change, in fact, has been disruptive and, upstream, this digital revolution has impacted the very mechanisms of production and distribution, as well as marketing.Digital marketing has transformed how companies communicate with their customers around the world. The increase in the use of social networks and how users communicate with companies on the Internet has given rise to new business models based on the bidirectionality of communication between companies and Internet users. In the EU, half of the EU enterprises used social media for communication or recruiting purposes, with different shares in the Countries represented in SUST@GRI 4.0 Consortium (71% IE, 55% EL, 53% ES and 47% IT) . But while the big brands have large communication departments that are responsible for the design and implementation of large marketing campaigns that hit the mark and attract consumers of all kinds, from the most sustainable to those attracted just by the product packaging, local producers and sustainable business are struggling to keep up with the times and their market share is shrinking year by year. In 2019, in the EU, the share of large enterprises employing 250 or more people, which used any type of social media stood at 77% and was almost 30 percentage points higher than the figure recorded for small enterprises employing 10 to 49 people (48%). The 74% of EU large enterprises had an account and used some kind of social networks. By contrast, only the 46% of small enterprises used social networks. Multimedia content-sharing websites were used by 48% of the large enterprises compared with 18% of the small EU enterprises-businesses (Eurostat, 2020).The lack of communication skills is typical of rural areas, characterized by weak technological infrastructure, high costs of technology, and low levels of literacy, local producers face an increasing lack of ICT knowledge, preventing the transition of their business to Agriculture 4.0. They may have never studied farming in school or learned how to earn more money by marketing their produce in a better and sustainable way. New tools, approaches and technologies are thus necessary so that it is easier for them to connect with customers, create a sense of community and promote a more sustainable food culture, as well as sustainability in general, while at the same time promoting their own products and regaining access to a niche market that was closed to them.<< Objectives >>SUST@GRI 4.0 core aim is to promote a more sustainable agriculture and support sustainable agriculture businesses in their transition to Agriculture 4.0. Both the European Green Deal and the new EU Common Agricultural Policy strive to achieve sustainability at social, environmental and economic level and set different goals, among which supporting the digital transition in agriculture. In fact, digital technologies can support European farmers in providing safe, sustainable and quality food. But, although the prospects of eventually integrating the Industry 4.0 technologies, practices and mindset in the agricultural domain are good, adoption will take time and support to the involved stakeholders. For this reason, SUST@GRI 4.0 intends to provide local producers and sustainable agricultural business owners with digital marketing skills, to bring them closer to their local community in the digital era and allow them to promote their products as well as sustainable agriculture and a food culture that favours local products and reduces waste.SUST@GRI 4.0 aims at supporting local producers and sustainable agricultural business owners in the take-up of the twin transition (green and digital) for their business, through a tailored learning path combining digital skills, marketing skills and storytelling techniques. Hence, by developing the target groups' skills on digital marketing for sustainable agriculture, SUST@GRI 4.0 intends to strengthen key competences in initial and continuing VET, by creating future-oriented curricula that better meet the needs of individuals, enabling them to be true agent of positive change and creating a more favourable mindset towards digital tools and techniques as first step towards a more deep digitalisation of their businesses. In this frame, thanks to SUST@GRI 4-0 e-course, the Consortium aims at supporting the adaptation of the VET sector to the new needs of the labour market through the creation of learning programs that contribute to the expansion of the arsenal of technical and digital skills of learners. At the same time, through SUST@AGRI 4.0 e-commerce platform, learners will be involved in a co-creation process that allows them to test and practice their acquired skills in a more market-oriented learning environment. In addition, the Platform will serve as mean to bring local producers closer to their local community and promote their products as well as a sustainable agriculture and food culture that favours local products and reduces waste.<< Implementation >>In the 24 months of implementation, Partners will implement the following activities:- 2 Transnational Project meetings- 1 short-term Joint Staff training event involving VET professionals with aim of co-creating the modules of the e-course (R2) - 1 Blended Learning Mobility involving local producers and sustainable agriculture business owners (25+) to test the e-course in a real training condition and set the ground for the co-creation process of the contents for SUST@GRI 4.0 e-commerce platform (R2). As part of the BLM, participants will produce their first collective digital marketing campaign, making use of digital storytelling and digital communication techniques, as well as social media and blog posts, to launch the SUST@GRI 4.0 e-commerce platform.- local activities during which participants to the BLM will continue the development of the contents for R2 and for its launch strategy, with the support of partners organisations and experts identified at local level by Partners.- 4 SUST@GRI 4.0 multiplier events, organized as pop-up markets<< Results >>During the 24 months of the project, Partners will produce the following tangible results:1. SUST@GRI 4.0 e-course (R1) covering basic to intermediate digital skills (according to the thematic areas of the DigComp), with a focus on social media and blogging skills, basic concepts of digital marketing, copywriting and communication, as well as the implementation of these concepts in the digital marketing strategy of sustainable agriculture businesses. 2. SUST@GRI 4.0 e-commerce platform (R2), a web-platform allowing local producers and sustainable agricultural business owners to put into practice the acquired skills. Through R2, learners will be able to open an online shop and put in place digital marketing strategies to engage and attract customers in the local community. At the same time, the platform will strengthen the online presence of local producers and promote a more sustainable agriculture and food consumption, collecting and publicizing local sustainable agriculture business and products.3. Implementation of a short-term Joint Staff training event involving VET professionals with aim of co-creating the modules of the e-course based on the findings of the Nationals and Transnational Report on the needs and obstacles for the uptake of digital marketing strategies in sustainable agriculture businesses.4. Implementation of blended learning mobility on digital skills and digital marketing for sustainable agriculture, to test the e-course in a real training condition and set the ground for the co-creation process of the contents for SUST@GRI 4.0 e-commerce platform (R2). As part of the BLM, participants will produce their first collective digital marketing campaign to launch the SUST@GRI 4.0 e-commerce platform.5. Implementation of local activities during which participants to the BLM will continue the development of the contents for R2 and for its launch strategy, with the support of partners organisations and experts identified at local level by Partners.5. 4 SUST@GRI 4.0 multiplier events, one per Partner Country, which will be implemented in the final stages of the project to disclose and promote the results achieved by SUST@GRI 4.0.Through the production of tangible results and the implementation of training activities at transnational and local level, SUST@GRI 4.0 will also produce a set of intangible outcomes as follows:- Deepened Partners’ and stakeholders’ knowledge of the key characteristics and needs of local producers/sustainable agriculture business owners with regard to digital literacy, sustainable agriculture and digital marketing for sustainable agriculture. - Improved capacity and expertise of Partners and Trainers, resulting from the collaboration, the transnational LTTAs and interaction with other professionals during the implementation of the project.- Increased awareness among the various target groups of educators, learners, stakeholders, institutions, and the general public about the importance of a more sustainable agriculture and food culture. - Enhanced educators’ knowledge, skills and competences contributing to a more modern and professional environment inside the organisations participating project activities.- Use of a combination of digital storytelling and digital communication techniques, as well as marketing skills, to favour the target groups’ progress towards project’s goals, based on strategical planning and participated efforts among Consortium Partners- Increased level of awareness among the target groups’ members on different activities and information related to digital marketing for sustainable agriculture;- Empowered Learners in the blog creation;- Establishment of a network among the members of the target group- Consolidation of the project partnership and planning of further initiatives of follow-up to the project.

For the last few years, more than half the world’s population has lived in cities; a turning point in society has been reached and humanity has changed its ancestral way of living especially in view of the general digital development. These epochal social, cultural and economic changes are under research and a cognitive framework, through which we can discover the cultural and gastronomic heritage of our own territories as trajectories for a creative future, should be outlined. A 2020 EU-wide #Eurobarometer survey on food & farming was conducted and 95% of people say agriculture is important for our future. The collection, survey and communication of the cultural data–in our case the traditional agri-food resources–can be a precious capital of knowledge, resource of memory, identity and heritage for the present which, now as never before, feels the need to digitally connect with its analogical past.Our partnership for Creativity has engaged organizations in the fields of Agri-food, Youth, Non-formal Education & Digitalisation (GR), Agri-food & Entrepreneurship (BG), Agri-food & Tourism (SI), together with a Grass root Agri-food Cultural Association (IT) and has organized a vast, in-depth European youth project aiming to address the 2nd priority of the KA2 Erasmus+ Call, launched in light of the exceptional circumstances presented by Covid-19, whose objective is to enhance Creativity in the field of Youth. AHEAD, in total line with the EU Green Deal, is facing the challenges of Agri-food Cultural Heritage preservation in the age of digital technology we live nowadays, while raising awareness on the importance of promoting our agri-food traditions (traditional foods, techniques & methods of their preparation, acquaintance with local Agri-food organizations etc.) with the ultimate aim of enhancing the cultural tourism & agro-tourism sector of the regions involved.AHEAD's main aim is to enhance skills development and competences of young people (18-30) that reinforce creativity, as well as to boost quality, innovation and recognition of youth work, thus contributing to the recovery resilience of the Agri-food Cultural Heritage sector by making them Agri-food Cultural Heritage Ambassadors.AHEAD will organize the following IOs, all included in the project's Website, all in digital form addressing the needs of distancing given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, using non-formal educational methods & game-based learning:1.Methodological Handbook (e-Book) with all the necessary information on agri-food traditions for the research/promotion/preservation of the ivolved countries’ heritage.2.Video Tutorials development for local agri-food products agricultural processes using innovative agricultural methods.3.Digital Agri-food Serious Game design within which the participating youth can interact with each other and put into practice the Tutorials learned in IO2.4.Online Seminar (e-Course) Curriculum development with the method of a living Lab for the selection of the Agri-food Cultural Heritage Ambassadors.We aim to involve at least 150 young people (age 18-30), youth workers & youth leaders who are working directly with disadvantaged youth in underprivileged rural and urban areas, and representatives from the participating bodies, all with a source need for their local agri-food heritage preservation. The project will engage a variety of local stakeholders in all project stages to increase their understanding on the challenges faced and thus boost their motivation to participate in similar initiatives.Objectives:•identify the traditional agricultural & food resources of local areas•raise awareness of youth on the significance of their preservation•equip young people with the necessary tools & competences needed to come up with creative, innovative solutions to promote their local heritage•acquisition of specific technical skills (cultivation, harvesting, management of an agricultural enterprise, marketing in a farm etc.)•provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth to understand their cultural heritage as a driving force of local development•fight back Agri-Food Cultural Heritage devaluationResults:•accessibility on cultural heritage knowledge•improve creative skills on local heritage preservation•raise awareness on its importance among youth of different origins•make them advocates of their local agri-food heritage, active, healthy living in their local communitiesImpact:•visitors' number in the countries involved increase through the agri-food value chain exploitation•establish EU partnerships•expand involved bodies' networks•participation of youth with fewer opportunities in international projectsLong-term effects:•Covid-19 effects on cultural sector reduction•cultural tourism & agro-tourism sector of the participating regions enrich•digital agenda provision through which other cities all over the world can set up processes of capitalization of ther agri-food resources.