"<< Background >>Maritime sector is strategically important for the EU, as it directly employs over 640,000 workers at sea and on shore and it supports over 1.4 million workers through indirect employment, with a total share of EUR 147 billion (direct-indirect and induced impact) in European Union's GDP. Being the world’s largest maritime territory, EU coastal regions are home to almost half its population and account for almost half its GDP (2017 Oxford Economics Study). Almost 90% of goods transportation globally is done by ship, making shipping the most efficient as well as the greenest mode of commercial transportation as it accounts for less than 2.2% of world's CO2 emissions. However, shipping industry could achieve even greater results, responding to the European Green Deal which aspires to fight climate change and environmental degradation by turning Europe into a climate neutral region by 2050. Within this context, EU plans for zero emissions of greenhouse gases and endorses investment in environmentally friendly technologies, moving a step further from IMO's Initial GHG Strategy which envisages a reduction of international shipping emissions to 50% by then. Despite the striking record of lowering emissions by 19% between 2008-2018, the maritime industry needs to invest ""in alternative green technologies, carbon-neutral fuels and energy sources"" and attempt a radical change in its supply chain, based on ECSA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Martin Dorsman's statement after the offician announcement of the European Green Deal in late 2019.Overall, maritime industry walks on its complete decarbonization and sustainable operation, constantly evolving and striving for increased innovation, not only with regards to the applied technologies but its human resources as well. According to ECSA, the total number of students and cadets in European Maritime Academies exceeds 38.000, which further explains why innovation in learning and upskilling/reskilling in the sector is so important. Schematically, the project will address the following needs:1. PARTNERSHIP: Ν1: Fragmented know-how among different VET Providers and member states on green skills in maritime sector which necessitates the exchange of expertise, especially because of the highly internationalized character of the industryN2: High segregation between VET Education and Market which requires a better connection for result-driven approachesN3: Necessity of transnational collaboration among partners from different sectors and member states which will enable the partners to build in common their capacity of tackling the mismatches in green skills2. TARGET GROUPS:N4: Outdated Curricula which do not meet the emerging needs of Maritime Industry/fall behind new advancements (VET Institutes)N5: Lack of green skills and competences that are (or will soon be) required by the maritime/shipping industry (VET Learners and current employees)N6: VET Teachers/Trainers/Staff's limited knowledge and/or disposal of old teaching tools and methodologies that do not effectively meet the demand for new skillsN7: Traditional (in-classroom) learning methodologies or expensive seminars who fail to engage a satisfactory number of end-users, especially in a highly internationalized economic sectorN8: Lack of shipowners/shipping companies' interest or commitment to initiate change N9: Non-existence of a common certification system for green navigation at EU level<< Objectives >>With Up-Sailing project, we would like to introduce an holistic methodology which will bridge VET Education and Maritime/Shipping Industry, promote a green certification system and contribute to the respective policy dialogue with lessons learnt and good practices that will be developed throughout the project, starting from the participating countries (Italy - Greece - Malta - Portugal - Germany) and then expanding it to other European countries.In alignment with the regulations of International Maritime Organization, the Integrated Marine Policy of the EU and Era 2030, Up-Sailing Project wishes to respond directly to the existing gap in green skills that is observed in the maritime/shipping sector, aspiring to cover a wider spectrum of stakeholders; opposite to other initiatives, the new Curriculum will not focus on VET Learners' skills mismatches but it will address the needs of VET Providers, current employees and shipowners, in an attempt to bring together actors from both education and market and reverse the mindsets of the whole industry.More specifically, we want to meet the following objectives: O1: To provide concrete, though customized, training materials which will respond to the learning needs of diversified target groups, keeping them updated on the latest trends and technological advancements in green maritime/shipping practices;O2: To encourage VET institutes to introduce a Curriculum on green skills in complementarity or in replacement of their outdated coursesO3: To support Maritime VET Teachers/Trainers/Staff Maritime to update their skillset and transfer their knowledge to Maritime VET studentsO4. To offer upskilling/reskilling opportunities to current employees who may have not the time or the resources to attend sector-specific and expensive training seminarsO5. To support shipowners/shipping companies by addressing the lack of required green skillset among current anf future employees O6. To offer a simple, practical and accessible certification system to shipowners/shipping firms towards green transformation of the sector O7. To introduce a bottom-up approach in decision-making by strengthening policy dialogue on maritime green transformation with the participation of shipowners/shipping firmsO8. To serve a universal, intergenerational and high-priority cause for the society<< Implementation >>To achieve the aforementioned objectives, we will implement the following activities: 1. Analysis of the current status quo in the maritime sector in terms of green skills 2. Development of a new Green Skills Chart3. Design of a diversified Curriculum addressing the needs of 3 different target groups:4. Development of training materials in the form of O.E.Rs covering, indicatively, sustainable practices on-board and on-shore, waste management etc and entailing the most innovative learning methodologies and tools in VET/adult learning 5. Design of an online platform which will serve as an e-portfolio for end users, encouraging distance and self-directed learning 6. Setting up of an online Green Label Registry where shipowners/shipping companies that apply green policies in vessels may register after completing a self-assessment questionnaire7. Organization of cluster meetings/policy dialogue with the shipowners' participation regarding green transformation of the maritime/shipping industry8. Elaboration of a policy paper containing lessons learnt and good practices generated throughout the project and grasping the industry's views through a bottom-up approachDissemination and sustainability componentApart from the listed activities, we will work on the greatest possible visibility of the project and the sustainability of its results, through:1. The development of a detailed Dissemination Plan2. The design of a project's website and social media page3. The organization of 5 Multiplier Events (one of which will be conducted virtually)4. The promotion of the project's results through the partners' network and social media5. The maintenance of our project's results for 5 years after the end of the project<< Results >>Within the framework of Up-Sailing project, we are going to enable institutions and individuals (target groups) to utilize the new wide range of relevant information on learning opportunities, qualifications and guidance.As a result, users will be able to access a full range of services on skills and qualifications, providing a unique learning pathway that will enable access for all.Our learning material will also allow an easier exchange of information and better access to the market opportunities of maritime VET students, regardless of geographical and regional constraints. Furthermore, it will assist Maritime VET trainers in their way to upskilling and updating their existing knowledge and competences in terms of the green skills needed in the maritime sector in the Era of 2030.A. DURING IMPLEMENTATION- TANGIBLE RESULTSR1: Design of an innovative, online training programme offered through O.E.Rs, which will cover the particular learning needs of three different target groups; (a) VET Institutes, (b) current employees and (c) shipownersR2: An online training platform accessible from end-users all around Europe and from different media (PC, mobile phone etc)R3: An online Green Label Registry for shipowners who apply green technologies in their vessels/companies, supported by a self-assessment questionnaireR4: A comprehensive Set of Recommendations, drawing from the project's experience and lessons learnt which will hopefully foster policy dialogue on the green transformation of shipping/maritime industryR5: At least 40 VET teachers / trainers / staff who will access the developed materials and 22 of them who will take part in the JSTA.R6: More than 500 learners will benefit from the project, either directly (coming from the participating VET Providers) or indirectly (through the partners' network and dissemination activities) resulting to the full use of the developed scheme.R7: More than 20 shipping and maritime companies will consider registering into the Green Label Registry and accept our newly developed scheme during operationB. DURING IMPLEMENTATION AND ON COMPLETION- INTAGIBLE RESULTSR.8: An increased systemic impact towards a high number of beneficiaries, stakeholders and the society for raising awareness on the significance of the applicability of the latest technologies in the maritime/shipping sector and respective upskilling/re-skilling opportunities R.9: An upgrade of the quality of VET Maritime Studies by ""leading the way"" to a greener future R.10: A vigorous engagement of shipowners into concrete commitments for the green transformation of the industryR.11: The establishment of viable partnerships among different stakeholders towards a common goalR.12: A revitalizing interest in relevant projects across Europe"