Innovations in agricultural sector of economy are a core topic of EU 2020 strategy, which promotes the elaboration of products and processes that contribute to sustainable development of the society. The background of Bio-FIT project sharps the need for introduction of the innovative principles of green biotechnology to improve this sector. Bio-FIT target groups (VET teachers/trainers/tutors, and agricultural SMEs personnel) need specific training within the frame of green biotechnology and especially in very innovative, ecologically friendly technology - biofertilizers. This type of education contributes in bridge building between technology and farming, and introduces bio-innovations to reach sustainable development of the agricultural sector. In this context, the general aim pursued by Bio-FIT project is:- To develop an innovative educational programme based on biotechnology of biofertilizers applying EQF/NQF strategic system for organization of VET process and to offer a scheme for innovative training, reflecting the specific partners’ country needs.The project specific objectives are focused on:- showing the eco-innovative character of bio-fertilizer technologies and effect on environment;- targeting the types and quality of the biofertilizers for preventing and supporting bio-farming;- studying the influence of biofertilizer technologies in decrease material inputs, reduce energy consumption and emissions, and minimize waste;- greening the economy through raising competitiveness and employability in Bulgarian and European economy and making sure development of technical competence as well as training skills.- boosting the competence based blended learning to improve prospects for entrepreneurship.The number and profile of participation organizations in project consortium are based on shared understanding and consideration of the need for provision of VET to teachers/trainers/tutors, and agricultural SMEs personnel in bio-fertilizers. It involves six partners from different geographical regions (BG, CY, GR, and HU). The partnership comprises two training institutions, two SMEs, which field of activity encompasses implementation of GAP and promotion of green technologies/services market, and two organizations which core activities are devoted to increasing the role of R & D in introducing new knowledge into the field of education and training. The undertaken main activities are based on System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) concept, which divides the project lifetime into:- Managerial and administrative arrangements- Commencement and tools design- Methodology and work plan- Intellectual Outputs- Multiplier Events- Bio-FIT piloting- Dissemination & Use- Sustainability and impact- Final reportingDuring the project development three type of results are elaborated:i) Results concerning project operation: derived during project commencement and conceptual design; complementing the Bio-FIT Intellectual outputs; processing multiplier events; assisting Bio-FIT training programme piloting; related to project dissemination & use; linked with Bio-FIT impact provision.ii) Results – six Intellectual outputs:- National case studies, assessing the current state of the art in each partner country in respect to project subject area;- Bio-FIT Qualifications Passport describing the key competences for specialists, working in the project subject area;- Bio-FIT e-Training environment, a functional tool for delivery of free-access information resources and training opportunities;- Bio-FIT Training Programme, offering multilingual model for international transfer of acquired qualifications in the field of biofertilizers;- Bio-FIT Handbook for Trainers/Trainees, designed to assist in delivering/acquiring the Bio-FIT training content;- Bio-FIT ECVET Framework, identifying the ways, by which Bio-FIT project can integrate ECVET principles and instruments.iii) Results derived during performance of dissemination & use activities as well as impact and sustainability:- Multiplier Events supporting performance and popularization of all project results.. The impact of Bio-FIT project is due to the provision of new opportunities for making education more relevant to the needs of the labor market. The project develops competency-based training that empowers the end-users with green skills and competences. The b-learning programme is based on Learning Outcomes model and thus contributes to the implementation of the “new skills for new jobs” strategy at national and EU scale. Longer-term benefits.Building of links between stakeholders and sectors, Bio-FIT project contributes effectively to the spread of sector-oriented VET into project field. In long term perspective, through offering high quality VET pathways, Bio-FIT project can give better prospects for professional carrier and competence development. It promotes the joint qualifications description and relationship between different sectors and areas.

"The future challenges and possible environmentally related competitive advantages are linked to the two generic technologies - Biotechnology and ICT. They are reducing and preventing the negative impacts of humans technology on environment and health, and ensure the potential of future sustainable development. In this context discussions about the environmental aspects of biotechnology and ICT and how they are shaped in interaction with HE trends is performed. This is also important as ICT technology is seriously embedded into many new biotechnological processes, products, etc. This outlined the project objectives to develop HE prospects for integrated environmental and innovation training in relation to interaction of biotechnology and digital technology areas. The objectives pursued and the innovative education offered will be focused on target groups in the following directions:- to define the applications of digital technologies in biotechnology- to create, using ICT, a virtual space and educational content, enriched with visual elements and simulations- to apply EQF/NQF/HE principles for qualification development ensuring technical competence and skills of target groups- to show the innovative character of digital technologies and their effect on green industryThe project partnership is created with understanding for the HEs needs to shift educational policy from “knowledge” to “competence” and for introduction of LOs and ECTS within the Biotechnology & ICT education for green technologies development. It unifies EU partners from BG, GR, DE, IT, FR and comprises three HEIs, two SMEs with core activity in fostering quality standards in educational and Biotech management, and two R&D Centers having core expertise in implementation of sustainable scientific, educational and social practices.The project methodology is based on System Development Life Cycle concept, which divides the project lifetime into four Phases and seven Tasks/Activities: Arrangement of project management & administration; Project start up; Methodological framework & work plan; Intellectual Outputs production; Approbation of project deliverables; Performance of Dissemination & Use; Assurance of durable effect of project.During the project life cycle the following results will be developed:I) A comprehensive digital educational platform comprising Intellectual Outputs in the frame of Biotechnology and ICT, designed as LOs:O1: The Drivers of Digital technology and ICT in HE: A Case Study, examining the contribution of contemporary learning technologies to the institutional modernization.O2: Open Content Platform, an innovative tool using blended learning approach for a self-paced, free source of online education in the field of ICT for green Biotechnology.O3: Learning Area & Reference Model which will be focused on the development of the training programme and formulation of LOs/BLPs.O4: Guide ""Teaching and learning in HE"" designed for academic professionals and offering both the essentials of effective HE teaching and guidelines how to use the project web platform.O5: Students Smart Kit elaborated for BSc/MSc students and describing strategies for effective learning and the opportunities in the project.O6: Science for Educational Resources comprising latest innovations in the field of ICT for green Biotechnology and encompassing case studies, presentations, videos, visualizations, 3D-educational images, etc.The programme will be realized through actions assigning the following results:II) Results for project management & administration: derived during project conceptual design; complementing the Intellectual Outputs; processing multiplier events; assisting training programme piloting; related to project D linked with Digit-BioTech sustainability provision.III) Results dedicated on the MEs performance and popularization of all project deliverables.IV) Results related with the organisation of TPMs.The expected impact of Digit-BioTech project is directly connected with the innovative achievements anticipated by it. The generic innovations that outline prospects for durable impact are focused on:- Development of innovative training materials and practical teaching and guidance tools oriented towards project targets- LO-based educational approach - offered in a blended mode and contributing to introduction of a training approach leading towards qualification- Amalgamation of a virtual space and educational content thus implementing digital strategies in HE trainingThe potential of long-term benefits from the Digit-BioTech project is grounded on the envisaged possibilities for:- Implementation of project outputs into national educational systems at formal institutions and in-company training departments- Capacity development of HEIs to support and build up employability- Mobilizing science and technology and foster capacity for innovation- Improving the social, economic, and environmental sustainability."