Core of this project is the understanding that the valorisation of what is currently considered as a “waste” by farmers and relevant stakeholders, may contribute to a significant improvement of both the economic revenues of agricultural entrepreneurs and the environmental sustainability of their productions. Indeed, if adequately managed and entrained in a proper value chain, the agricultural waste, both organic and non-organic, may reveal a new resource, to be valorised in the framework of a circular economy approach. However, although the farmer is responsible for the end-of-life management, he is not able to do it alone. The farmer plays an important role in the recyclability, depending on the waste preparation at farm and his participation in the collection scheme. Hence, farmers, as well as other stakeholders involved in the relevant value chain, deserve a specific training, that is currently not existing all over Europe. Aim of this Project is the contribution to the development of regional eco-systems directly providing a valuable input to the economy by integrating work-based learning, thanks to a Quadruple-Helix approach involving Public Institutions (Regional/Local Ministries/Agencies), RTD performers/ VET providers, Private stakeholders (Farmers Associations, Collectors/Recycling Firms/Associations, etc.) and the Civil Society (NGO, No-profit Association, etc.). Core of the Project will be the modelling, implementation and validation of the Project “Rural Labs” in which, under the co-ordination of some among the most important Universities of the Mediterranean Europe, expert in agricultural waste management, the farmers and other relevant stakeholders will be trained. In these Rural Labs, new ways of training will be explored, starting from an on-site training, and implementing new ICT tools, to be produced for the sake of a larger audience of trained people, working in the Project Countries as well as in the rest of Europe.

The aim of SAGRI “Skills Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture” project was to provide the agricultural workers (mainly farmers), as well as other agricultural stakeholders with knowledge, skills and competences in the field of agro-environmental technology for sustainable agriculture. SAGRI project enabled agricultural workers to acquire the skills, knowledge and ability to understand and approach agri-environmental systems as natural ecosystems modified by human activity, though with an emphasis on environmental technologies that can be applied to achieve sustainable crop production by means of improved systems’ management.The main project results, which were achieved during the project lifetime, can be summarized as following:- The identification of specific skills (with particular focus on “green skills” and “digital skills”) that agricultural workers require, as well as the analysis of most recent practical advancements of the agricultural sector. These results were useful for the development of SAGRI training programme. - The development of an innovative curriculum that responds to specific training needs of agricultural workers and integrates the latest advancements of the “agri-tech” sector. The programme abides by the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) standards. Six (6) training modules were developed targeting to a max EQF level 4, supported by relevant learning and assessment material: Module 1: Precision AgricultureModule 2: Integrated pest management in plant protectionModule 3: Agricultural reuse of organic residualsModule 4: Drip irrigation and water conserving technologiesModule 5: Renewable energy and its application as green agriculture energy sourceModule 6: Bioenergy and energy crops- The development of a virtual learning platform which makes all training resources widely available as Open Educational Resources (OER). The SAGRI OER platform (www.sagri-vet.eu) is linked to the SAGRI website (www.sagriproject.eu) and both will remain active and sustainable beyond the project end. The SAGRI OER platform as well as the project website are available in English and all consortium languages.- The organization of training workshops and the delivery of the SAGRI training programme in 219 agriculture engineers, agricultural researchers and extension staff in three partner countries (Greece, Portugal and Italy).- The organization of training workshops and the delivery of the SAGRI curriculum in 855 agricultural workers/farmers in all partner countries.- The development of the certification scheme where the trained agricultural workers can be assessed and awarded with the certification of “sustainable farmer” according the international standard ISO/IEC 17024 for personnel certification. - A plethora of dissemination activities bringing together major stakeholders of the agricultural sector, including agricultural workers (mainly farmers), extension staff and agriculturists, Higher Education Institutions, VET providers and social partners such as: * Portfolio of dissemination material * SAGRI website* SAGRI Facebook page* YouTube Channel* Participation and Publications in conferences, exhibitions, Trade Fairs, info days etc. * Interviews and Articles in Newspapers* Training workshops to the agricultural extension staff* Training workshops to the agricultural workers/farmers* Dissemination Conference at the end of the projectA developed exploitation strategy will ensure the sustainability of the project's results which will be maintained and exploited beyond the project lifetime. Particularly, the innovative curriculum, supported by relevant learning and assessment material will be integrated into the education and training programme of the partner Universities and VET partners specifically indented for agricultural worker.

EU-CONEXUS Plus is mainstreaming, deepening and expanding the European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability EU-CONEXUS. Building on established strategic cooperation structures, joint activities and procedures EU-CONEXUS Plus introduces three former associated partners as full members, creates a legal entity for the implementation of joint actions, continues the set-up of a joint infrastructures and stabilises the scope of cooperation chosen around the thematic focus “Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability” (SmUCS) while covering all missions of a university: education, research, innovation and service to society. A special focus is laid on the empowerment of students’ self-governance and their initiatives. Regarding education, joint course programmes on SmUCS on all levels, micro-credentials to broaden flexibility, personalisation and LLL aspects and special modules aiming at attracting BSc students to research are planned. Training on pedagogical methodologies and tools is intensified. Support for the development of study programmes proposed by the teaching community will be centralised. For research, the Joint Research Area is further supported by enlarged mobility programmes, networking events and the introduction of scientific management staff promoting the linkage of research activities on SmUCS. Regarding innovation, a support service is established around knowledge and technology transfer promoting entrepreneurial mindsets and creativity among staff and students. The already established Career network widens its scope of action by offering trainings on job readiness and facilitating work-based experiences. The EU-CONEXUS Stakeholder Academy further enhances the close connection with partners’ ecosystems, with a special focus on regions, cities and ports. Outreach to local communities is achieved by continuing the successful international school contest and the organisation of cultural festivals in a local setting.

The need for highly educated professionals with deep understanding in plant health for sustainable agriculture is high at both, program and partner countries. This project has the ambition of harmonizing and modernizing doctoral education in this field and to create a network of researchers that is capable to respond to current challenges in plant health. The specific objectives are: to harmonize, improve and modernize the doctoral study programs in plant health among partner universities in order to increase the competences and skills of PhD candidates to respond to the global plant health issues; to develop a draft of curriculum of International Joint PhD study program in Plant Health; and to foster regional integration in the field of plant health research and education among WBC and between WBC and EU countries. The unique platform for PhD education in plant health issues will be set up among partners. PIs will adapt the best practices related to management and conducting PhD study programs. Scientific content and learning outcomes of different courses will be improved and harmonized. Teachers will be trained in new educational methods and for mentoring of PhD students. Creation of scientific network among scientists, mobility periods and exchange of students and staff, together with establishment of diagnostic and training hubs in PIs will improve human capacities of the candidate countries to adapt EU policy in plant health to develop and to introduce the new non-pesticide methods in agricultural practice and to conduct and/or participate in research in the field of plant health at international level. Proposed activities will allow for the international recognition of the proposed courses and will enable education of young scientists in plant health ready to cooperate and participate in scientific research at regional and international level. The draft of the curriculum will be created and ready to be submitted to accreditation.

The joint Master programme in Marine Biotechnology is a transnationally integrated multidisciplinary programme that provides high-quality academic education and professional competencies for professionals working or intending to work in the area of marine biotechnology. Integrating the skills map studies previously described, the programme has been designed so that it entirely covers the marine biotechnology pipeline from biodiscovery to market launch enabling the student to integrate in a variety of professional careers in the Marine Biotechnology sector. The joint Master programme in Marine Biotechnology (JMPMB) will be delivered by six partner universities (Universidad Católica de Valencia (Spain) – Programme Coordinator University, La Rochelle Université (France), Agricultural University of Athens (Greece), Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti (Romania), Klaipėdos Universitetas (Lithuania), Sveučilište u Zadru (Croatia) in association with two Associated Partners (Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland) and Universität Rostock (Germany) and in collaboration with a large number of stakeholders from companies and research centres. The six universities and partners joined together to merge their strengths and know-how in an interdisciplinary JMPMB and to offer the students to study at an international inter-campus European University.