Short food supply chains are defined as having as ‘few links as possible between the food producer and the citizen who eats the food’. They typically involve local producers promoting local food produce and have continuously been highlighted as an area for potential market growth in Europe. The standard education for food producers has traditionally been based around production with no focus on sales and marketing, processing or other entrepreneurial-like skills that will empower producers to gain value for their products. Though identified as an important and growing industry, at the time of the project proposal there were no defined European strategies to develop the short food supply chain, though this is now becoming an area of increased research and priority across a variety of European initiatives.The overarching aim of the project was to enhance entrepreneurial training in VET, encompassing work-based learning, aimed at those in the short food supply chain.The specific objectives of the project were to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe by:•Developing a curriculum specific for the short food supply chain incorporating work-based learning to stimulate entrepreneurship•Empowering food producers to gain control of their business models and move up the value chain through engaging in training and networking•Providing a web platform for knowledge exchange between education and enterprisesThe consortium comprised of four partners; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT, Ireland), The University of Bedfordshire (UoB, UK), The Polish Beef Association (PBA, Poland) and the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA, Brussels). The partners were chosen for this project as they were all able to bring a wealth of expertise in the delivery of vocational work-based training programmes, the development of web based learning resources and access to the target group (those in the short food supply chain) for dissemination of information and project outcomes. All partners had previously been involved in transnational, EU funded programmes and therefore were highly familiar with the requirements of working in a consortium of this nature. The success of the partnership was such that the majority of partners are still working together across a number of different projects and project proposals. Prior to commencement of the project a needs analysis of the target group was undertaken which was updated during the project. The consortium developed a communication plan and a dissemination plan as well as a timeline of activities to ensure that the project stayed on track. Five transnational meetings took place in Ireland (3), Poland (1) and the UK (1). Three multiplier events were organised by the consortium in the UK (1), Poland (1) and the final conference in Ireland to distribute the projects outputs to the wider European community. To ensure that the outputs were meeting the needs of the target audience, two Learning, Teaching and Training Activities (LTTAs) were orgainsed; the first a short-term joint staff training event focused on the required content and delivery techniques for output 1 (the curriculum) and the second a blended mobility of learners aimed at testing the developed curriculum with the target audience as well as brainstorming the requirements for output 2 (the web portal). Though CEJA were the main dissemination partner, all partners took an active role in the dissemination of the project outputs and continue to do so.The outputs of the project included a Level 5 (EQF) course curriculum (designed to increase the development of food entrepreneurs) and a web portal to provide a platform for interactive discussion and networking as well as to disseminate relevant information and documentation. The main purpose of this project was to help create future job creators. By developing an entrepreneurial mind set, the project helped to empower participants to see the potential for their own businesses. It is anticipated that as the outputs of the project continue to gain traction that more food producers will go on to become entrepreneurs and develop jobs not only for themselves but also provide job opportunities for others.The impacts of this project are far reaching and outputs are translated hence easily transferable. This is the first project to create a bespoke VET curriculum in the area of entrepreneurship aimed at those in the short food supply chain. By collaborating with European partners, the developed outputs benefitted from the contribution of a broader range of food entrepreneurs. GMIT has already integrated the curriculum into its teaching offering and has also successfully applied for further funding to roll the course out in Vietnam. UoB are also implementing the outputs. The web portal is now live and providing a platform for those involved in the short food chain supply to interact and connect. All partners have actively disseminated the project results.

"<< Background >>With the ever-present and increasing threat of climate change but having the possibility of tackling this issue using digital educational tools, transnational cooperation, taking advantage of the interest and desire for such tools in the field, and the need for a more sustainable future in the food market, we applied for this project to jump-start the Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs).Supporting sustainable solutions of agricultural production in order to slow and decline the rate of climate change is something we wholeheartedly believe in. The many facets of this project hit all of the marks that could change directly affect how the EU approaches climate change in the future. From enabling competitive entrepreneurs in the countryside, to establishing a balance between economic and ecological parallels in agricultural production to respecting old, peasant traditions all within European countries. On a larger scale its potential to build trust across borders, inspire the growth and development of ideas and initiatives and most importantly nourish long term positive impact on the environment in order to combat climate change. The need to establish and support SFSCs is vital to sustainable production ties between farmers/producers, and their customers which have an impact on not just the regional area but the country itself. There is a lack of digital learning tools for the target groups of small and medium-sized farmers and this project could fill that void and is a key step into bringing farming into the 21st century. Taking all of this into consideration, we applied to this project to ensure that these steps be taken to contribute to the effort of combating climate change and creating a positive impact on the environment through sustainability, transnational cooperation, and multi-functioning, environmentally friendly agriculture.<< Objectives >>We want to achieve the support and growth of a resource-efficient society, healthy local landscapes, biodiversity, and to accelerate the transition to sustainable food chain systems that reinforce a more environmentally friendly food market. On a smaller scale gradually becoming more ambitious, we would like to improve the quality and quantity of adult learning in this field to develop green skills in connection with initiating their own direct processing activities of agricultural products with added value to include farm-to-fork strategies in their daily work, making them more market visible using digital tools and increasing their overall digital and entrepreneurial competencies. This will in turn support local and regional farmers in joining the sustainable production movement and establish SFSCs. By teaching local and regional farmers in the EU how to start the on-farm production process while reaching a wider customer audience we aim to avoid selling and long-distance transportation of raw materials to agricultural corporations. This will increase the number of direct sales from farms, supporting and creating a perpetual system of self-sustaining local and regional farms. Supporting skills development, strategies, and methodologies that upgrade the current food system in a more earth-friendly direction creates benefits that are not just local. With all of these positives being felt and shared transnationally we can learn how to tackle more daunting challenges beyond borders with larger scale improvements in training, education, and strategies that will strengthen ties for continued work in the field. With all of these initiatives we can learn how to make better use of limited resources, increase cohesion throughout the EU, and ultimately bring about long term change that leads to a lasting impact.<< Implementation >>In the realm of the project implementation period, that is set up for 24 months, we plan various diverse activities. The project planning has been divided into 7 Work packages (WPs) that are activities of the project from the procedural point of view; and 5 Project Results (PRs) that are factual tangible outputs of the project. For a simpler orientation, we have divided WPs into 4 implementations WPs whic include activities that are directly related to the development of digital content OERs and 3 transversal WPs intersecting the project activities and lasting the whole duration of the project. Among the implementation WPs belong the development of white paper, collecting practical case studies from all partner countries, creation of podcast series in a form of debates and interviews with experts in the fiels, creation a set of inspiration learning materials for small and medium-sized farmers and finally a developed of a web-based training platform. The transversal activities include the overall project management, administration and financial evidence, all monitoring and evaluation activities that includes various evaluation questionnaire surveys, extensive pilot testing and analysing the results and including them to the developed materials to assure the highest quality. Finally, we are going to include broad dissemination activities to reach wide audience and organize 6 multiplier events in 6 countries for the relevant stakeholders, interested parties and also policy makers and public body representatives to raise awarness about the issue of farm-to-fork strategy and the need of support of direct production.<< Results >>We expect the outcomes to range from local and regional to larger EU encompassing successes. To start we bring real experience and knowledge about the issue to people who live on and work on agricultural lands, small and medium-sized farmers and food processors and other relevant parties connected to food production. Through the developed educational (digital) materials, we anticipate the target groups to acquire sufficient knowledge of the practical implementation of on-farm production solutions and farm-to-fork sales which they can utilize, begin to use, start and maintain on their farms to support short food supply chains establishment. The educational materials will keep the targets up to date on current situations and possibilities in partner countries, as well as legal practice and rules, case studies of real examples of innovative solutions in these areas from each partner country, educational entertainment podcast series in form of debate with experts and professionals and innovative educational materials. This is important to keep interest, inspire growth and innovation, promote a shared knowledge of the topic. The educational materials will be logically structured and easy to follow to be digestible for people. We expect the broader public, as well as public representatives, to get acquainted with the issue of short food supply chains and farm-to-fork strategy and to understand the necessity of addressing the issue as soon as possible. The expected result is, therefore, not only the increase of target groups green skills and competence but also raising public awareness on the topic of sustainable farming and what it could do to help combat climate change. We believe that the project is meaningful as it would directly help many ""newcomers"" to start their own direct processing, creating farm products and learning how to create added value to them, reach new customer base and sustain it in long-term perspective with the use of digital marketing strategies of farm products. Indirectly, the project should also influence the quality of life in local communities and rural areas as we aim to support the regional development and community life and reduce the negative effects of cilmate change by leaving the long food supply chains that involve long-distance travelling. We also aim to increase the quality of food that consumers buy and eat on a daily basis. In the long-term perspective, we expect the target groups to engage in implementing innovative farm-to-fork solutions on their farms and focus on green sectoral skills to push the market into a more sustainable and earth friendly state to begin a larger initiative throughout the EU."

Although there is a lack of information among EU countries, it seems that 17% of the European population suffered some kind of mental health problem in 2016. Among disorders, the most common was anxiety (5.4% of the population), depression (4.5%), addictions (2.4%). 84,000 people in extreme cases suffered premature death due to suicides linked to mental health problems (“Health at a glance: Europe” - OECD, 2018). The situation has been even worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.Farmers specifically suffer from situations and are influenced by factors that can generate stress or anxiety, mainly linked to the strong financial uncertainties of their activity, their social position, as well as difficulties in managing their family relationships within the professional sphere. Farmers are five times more likely to abuse substances (Bush and Lipari, 2015) or commit suicide (McIntosh et al, 2016) than the rest of the population.The FARMRes project aims to raise farmers' awareness of mental health issues and to guide them in shaping their daily lives, as well as their business and personal environment. It is about awareness raising and prevention, as well as detection and first aid involving farmers, their families and farmers’ consultants.FARMRes specific objectives are:- Recognise the importance of mental health for successful farming and for farmers wellbeing;- Provide to farmers, their families and farmers’ consultants/associations with the tools needed to prevent, detect and aid in case of potential or ongoing mental health issues;- Foster sustainable economic and social development of farming and rural areas.To achieve these objectives we will develop a training and awareness raising web-based app that will include, amongst other elements:- Farmers success stories in preventing and overcoming mental health problems related to stress at work. - Farmers mental health and well-being training toolkit made of prevention, detection and first aid tools.

The EU has clearly identified the need for European agriculture to be reshaped towards greater sustainability. Multifunctional agriculture is the key concept underlying the reformed agricultural and rural development policy aiming at increasing sustainability of agriculture, while at the same time being competitive at the European and global market. Most farmers, especially young farmers and managers of family farms, however, lack the skills necessary to successfully engage in and implement the EU's measures aiming at multifunctional agriculture. This is less due to a lack of attitude or technical (agricultural) knowledge but rather a matter of missing economic, organisational and entrepreneurial skills. Thus the SEMA II project addresses the nexus of multifunctional agriculture and the necessary entrepreneurial skills among young and family farmers. The SEMA II project aims at providing high quality learning opportunities on multifunctional agriculture oriented entrepreneurial skills and capacities for European farmers, and increasing competencies of trainers and facilitators of organisations relevant for agricultural training at a regional and local level. Specifically targeting young farmers and family farm managers, the capacity building approach offers opportunities for farmers beyond formal vocational training and further education at low cost and low entry thresholds. The project will use innovative ways of implementation through the combination of audio and video files with expert knowledge and best practices examples. The project consortium is composed of 6 organisations from 5 different EU countries (PL, ES, LT, BE, DE) and shows cooperation between new and old European Member States. A comprehensive partnership has been established, consisting of research and consulting organisations (WUELS, IfLS), adult education organisations (DEFOIN, ARID), a European young farmer organisation (CEJA), and an institute of ICT and education technologies (BETI). To achieve the objectives of the project two Intellectual Outputs will be developed, tested and multiplied: the ‘Training system on entrepreneurial skills for multifunctional agriculture’ (O1) acting as an umbrella for the ‘In depth case studies on entrepreneurial multifunctional farmers’ (O2). Main results produced within O1 are Open Educational Resource modules consisting of audio and video files on multifunctional farming and guidelines for learners and facilitators. Also the case studies developed in O2 are made available as audio or video file. The SEMA II training system approach is based on self-learning. But also the innovative educational method ‘flipped classroom training’ can be applied, during which learners first use the OERs independently and then discuss the learning outcomes with the facilitator. All outputs produced will be freely accessible for the public within and beyond the project’s lifetime. The project will have beneficial impacts on young farmers and family farmers through increasing their entrepreneurial skills and applying these to successfully develop new business strategies and action plans for setting in value multifunctional agriculture. Furthermore agricultural organisations active in farm management related training will strengthen their capacities to offer high quality ICT-based tailored learning opportunities for individual learners. Finally, the awareness of stakeholders about the importance of entrepreneurial skills for multifunctional agriculture will be raised, and their knowledge on availability of the SEMA II training system will enable stakeholders to mainstream project results into the respective national and European policies. The envisaged longer term benefits of the project are an increased competitiveness of farms which are at the same time contribute to the provision of public goods such as functional water and nutrient cycles or landscape attractiveness. Thus SEMA II will contribute to an increased overall sustainability of agricultural activities and viability of rural areas on a regional level. Last, it will also strengthen the position of younger and family farmers, thus maintaining the diversity of farm structures while supporting the new rural paradigm.

"Agricultural markets and farming business changed considerably over recent decades. EU Farmers are facing a need to improve their economic and socio-economic situation. From entrepreneurial view financing is an important task for the farmer besides production and marketing. Decisions in financing - may it be ""traditional"" or innovative - have long term influence on the farm, its liquidity and its income.Especially for young farmers taking over the business of their parents or simply aiming at business development it is very important to have a solid financial basis for their agricultural businesses.Financing affects the sustainability of the single farm (together with effects on and importance for income security) as well as it addresses sustainable development of rural areas as a whole.Innovative financing exists on niche level, but a lot of possibilities are not widely known. To make good decisions in the field of innovative financing farmers need to be equipped with more skills, knowledge and competence, and with experience from successful practice. It is a huge challenge for the farmers to:(1) Keep the business running in a profitable & sustainable way.(2) Respect societal demands towards agricultural production which are increasing constantly.(3) Get financed in adequate and sufficient dimension.There are possibilities to fulfill all 3 aspects at the same time.With FARMINFIN project, we aim at developing a training programme that is going to equip farmers with the needed competences for the implementation of innovative financing means tailored adequately for his own farm, entrepreneurial approach and personal circumstances.In addition to this, we also aim at reaching the following objectives:- Foster professional handling of innovative financing means by farmers.- Strengthen economic and socio-economic viability of family farms.- Deliver added value to rural development.These objectives will be achieved by providing to young farmers a training programme based on the OER approach and on case studies about sustainable and innovative financing ways for farming sector enterprises.The training system will be made of:- A guide about alternative ways of financing in the farming sector.- A set of 12 case studies gathering best practices related to alternative ways of financing in the farming sector in the involved countries;- Training curriculum and training modules providing the knowledge needed to successfully implement a sustainable business initiative in the farming sector.The training materials (in English, Swedish, Czech, German, Spanish, Italian and French) will be fully available free of charges on the project training platform and will be also uploaded on OER repositories (such as www.oercommons.org) making them available to an even wider audience.The FARMINFIN consortium is made of the following partners:CEJA (BE): CEJA is the voice of Europe's next generation of farmers, representing some 2 million young people through a membership comprised of 32 recognized national member organizations in 23 EU member states and an associate member organisation from Serbia.HuL (DE): HuL is an independent private body focused on agricultural family enterprises. HuL is consulting in Germany in all types of agricultural business: crop cultivation as well as animal husbandry, production and processing of biomass for food and feed as well as for energetic or industrial purposes. OnP (ES): OnP is a consulting enterprise specialized in project managing, monitoring and evaluation. Its staff has a wide experience in ERASMUS+ projects and in the development of VET materials in the farming and rural development sector.FU (SE): FU is an adult educational association that offers a wide range of adult education all over Sweden. FU has a broad open educational program in a variety of subjects; it also runs schools in higher vocational education, labour market education and further education and training for working life. AèV (IT): AèV is a Vocational Training Centre. Its main objectives are: to promote and stimulate the social-cultural and civic development and training, at any level, of all the citizens, and more specifically farmers, in many economic and social sectors (agriculture, food industry, administrative and advanced services).APF_CR (CZ): APF_CR is a voluntary professional organization of private farmers in the Czech Republic. Defending the economic, social and professional intents of the Czech private farmers in the Czech Republic and abroad is the fundamental activity of APF_CR.COAG (ES): COAG is a professional farming organisation which operates in the Jaén province, in Andalusia. It provides a wide range of services from the defense of farmers interests to training, information and technical advising, R+D, dissemination of technical improvements, rural development, etc."