<< Background >>The AISkills4CircularTransition will explore the opportunities and challenges that come with this monumental new taskforce that is defining the new standards of business, through the implementation of a training programme on the opportunities Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Circular economy (CE) can offer to agri-food businesses. The whole training programme aims at supporting the transition of European SMEs of the agri-food sector from a traditional development model to a circular one that will enhance the regeneration of skills and competences at workplace and favours circular businesses and organisation models. AISkills4CircularTransition will thus rethink and redesign the jobs already performed to exploit the skills already available at workplace, avoid their underutilisation and enhance the career path of the (older and recently hired) employees that miss the right competences. Skills formation at workplace has been proven to alleviate this phenomenon and is one of the main pillars of the EU 2020 strategy for economic growth.The AISkills4CircularTransition project is based on a genuine and adequate analysis of the needs of these target groups: In first place, the needs to be trained and upskilled about the innovative solutions and practices that could support them to initiate a circular and digital transformation of their activities and practices, have been expressed by them-selves. As reported by ANIA, FIAB and SEVT, the agri-food professionals require to advance their knowledge and increase their competences and capacity to lead the transformation process, both digital and circular, and accommodate the need for new skills in interdisciplinary courses. In second place, a specific training approach and methodology are needed to design and elaborate the different modules and contents in order to meet the expectations of the target groups. The learners are the agri-food professionals, in activity, with various backgrounds and professional experiences. The training program, approach and schedule will be specially adapted to them, taking into account their availability. As mentioned, the trainees who will participate in the project, are professionals in activity and their professional commitment and everyday activities could be an obstacle to follow a course if the conditions are not adapted in terms of schedule, duration, frequency, online availability. Aware of the importance of this element, the project members will design the training program to overcome this potential boundary to the effective participation.<< Objectives >>AISkills4CircularTransition project aims at providing agri-food professionals with fit-for-purpose knowledge and skills on AI technologies to nurture the development of fairer circular food chain models, combining the environmental, social, economic, and digital dimensions.The project main goal is to sensibilize and train professionals from the agri-food sectors to the use of AI along the supply chains allowing a fair digital transition of their industries, with a specific focus on how AI could facilitate and help the implementation of circular economy principles.The project main objectives are:-Raise awareness, improve knowledge and skills of agri-food professionals about AI and CE, and the opportunity of transformation and sustainable development they can offer-Empower the agri-food professionals to engage transformation and innovation activities that will have a positive impact on the development of their businesses and local communities, and to the green and climate-neutral transition-Support and strengthen capacity-building and capacity-adaptation of the professionals and improve their resilience to manage and address complex challenges and issues-Build new cross-sector networks and stimulate multidisciplinary way of thinking-Promote innovative pedagogical approaches in VET.<< Implementation >>To achieve the project objectives, the partners agreed on a 36-month work plan structured in six work packages, including three categories of actions: 1) related to project activities, 2) sharing and promotion actions, and 3) project management.WP1 to WP4 are dedicated to set up all the defined activities which will lead to the expected project results. The main activities that will be deployed will consist in a logical sequence of tasks in order to release the defined outputs. -The PR1: Pedagogical scenarios and methodological framework design, will be handled in WP1 concerning the specifications of the learning contents and pedagogical methodology. -WP2 will lead to the PR2: Tailored multi-media modules on AI and CE integrated into the e-platform. Once the specifications and methodology defined in WP1 and consolidated in PR1, raw contents for the training programmes will be developed, including assessment tools. -The activities in WP3 will be dedicated to the project platform development. (PR3: Project platform development).-Within WP4, the project consortium will assess the of pedagogical methodology, and contents. Based on the project overall analysis and will formalise a set of relevant recommendations for the key actors and stakeholders in the form of a Guidance and recommendations report. The activities defined in WP5 will carry out all the tasks linked with the sharing and promotion strategy of the consortium, and WP6 has been structured in order to ensure a good administrative and financial management. WP6 on management will ensure the quality of the process and best practices for daily administrative and financial management and reporting.<< Results >>During and after the completion of the AISkills4CircularTransition project, both direct tangible and intangible results will be produced and released as a final version.These tangible results will be considered as the main transferable assets:1) Tailored training content designed to be integrated on on diverse learning management systems, including specifications for training and learning methodology based on the analysis of the needs of targeted audiences.2) OER (Open Education Resources) – e-learning multimedia modules content for implementation and testing adapted to the targeted audience. This result will be consolidated into a public deliverable and will remain at open access for dissemination and future use.3) Assessment methodology, criteria and results of the training outputs of the project. A set of qualitative and quantitative indicators will be defined to objectively measure the efficiency and the learning impacts of the project activities. The feedback and the subjective perceptions of the involved audiences, both trainees and trainers, will also be taken in account to complete the analysis of the project activities and underline the possible margin of improvement.4) Finally, guidelines for transferability and reapplication will be elaborated to share and promote the project outcomes, findings and best practices at large scale, complemented by a living directory of AI technology providers and CE experts towards agri-food professionals.On the side of intangible results, the project will produce several outcomes:1) Contribute to fostering the digital transformation and 4.0 transition of agri-food businesses through the use and benefits of AI technologies to enhance their production and human resources management in a circular way.2) Contribute to improve key knowledge and competences of the agri-food professionals with an advanced skill set for the labour market, thus maintaining or enhanced their employability.

Skill mismatches undermine competitiveness and employment, negatively affecting 39% of EU enterprises. This is likely to remain a key challenge for EU agri-food industry in the coming years, and a policy priority maintained after EU2020. CEDEFOP revealed in 2015 that together with genuine gaps due to the unavailability of the right competences, 60-80% of skill mismatches are actually apparent skill gaps. These apparent gaps are rather linked to inefficient Human Resource Management (HRM) practices such as inadequate investment in continuous training of workers, low quality jobs or little promotion opportunities. Face to these findings, CEDEFOP supports the broad academic consensus claiming that “a crucial ingredient in maximising the quality of an employment match is firms’ HR management”. The agri-food sector faces specific and severe HR challenges, and their proficient management will be an important source of competitive advantage in the upcoming global agri-food market. Many companies are nevertheless not aware of this fact, usually coinciding with those with a weak strategic HRM. FRESH observes previous EU projects conclusions, and proposes an innovative approach for addressing skill mismatches through HRM. The goal is to contribute to the reduction of skill mismatches in the agri-food industry. The objectives of the project are to strengthen competitiveness of EU agri-food small firms and reduce the apparent skill mismatches. This will be achieved by strengthening lifelong learning on strategic HRM in small enterprises of the agri-food sector, specifically addressed to HR managers with no or little training on HRM. The expected impact will be a shift in small businesses culture towards a stronger commitment with HRM, implying among other changes, a decided engagement with lifelong learning of staff. Low professionalised HR managers will acquire high quality and relevant knowledge, skills and competences for managing staff challenges in the agri-food sector. They will benefit from a European qualification facilitating transfer, recognition and accumulation of HRM learning outcomes, therefore increasing their employability. C-VET training centres will be offered an innovative non-formal training course supported by an online platform adapted to the digital era. The project dissemination and sustainability strategy will ensure the uptake of the project results by firms, training centres, business associations and trade unions all over Europe. The project brings together a partnership of 1 HRM expert, 1 competencies expert, 1 IT developer and 4 VET training centres and 3 agri-food businesses associations from Southern, Eastern and Central Europe. Transnational cooperation will facilitate the exchange of cutting edge HRM knowledge and expertise into agri-food CVET centres in countries with lower HRM commitment among their firms. Partners have been chosen after their capacities, experience and their participation in extensive networks at local, regional, state and EU level. FRESH will develop a “HRM for small enterprises in the agri-food sector” open online training course from a participatory development methodology, involving HRM consultants, trainers and HR managers from agri-food industry small firms. The curriculum will contain a set of learning objectives and outcomes, contents, evaluation methods, and innovative training methodologies. The e-training course will be supported by a learning management system, enabling HR managers to flexibly and freely access high quality contents and learning methodologies. The dissemination of the project results will be based on communication tools adapted to the digital era and the celebration of state and international events addressed to CVET institutions, agri-food businesses associations, trade unions and firms, in order for HRM to become a mainstream element of competitiveness in training supply and enterprise policies. Overall, more than 80.000 people are expected to be made aware of HRM results. The open license of the course and its fully online format will enable external CVET centres and enterprises to integrate the course in their services for free, update it and improve it. Also, it opens further market opportunities to organisations willing to translate the contents, apply them to different industrial sectors or enlarge the training experience with additional services. FRESH constitutes an innovative attempt to address skill mismatches from an alternative approach to traditional up-skilling of workers to close existing gaps. Research from CEDEFOP confirms the huge potential impact of this approach. The FRESH team is deeply convinced about the added value of a European cooperation, strongly qualified for bringing about the planned actions, results and impacts, and firmly committed to facilitate a cultural shift in small firms of the agri-food sector through lifelong learning.

In today's highly competitive labour markets, the experience gained through VET programmes that combine a theoretical component with work-based learning (WBL) can open doors to later jobs. In countries with a strong tradition of WBL, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark. youth unemployment rates are lower than in countries with less developed WBL systems. In addition, graduates have shorter transition periods from education and/or training to employment. A recent CEDEFOP report on labour market outcomes, confirms this by demonstrating that VET is more successful than general education at getting individuals into work in the short and medium terms. Furthermore, tailor-made VET programmes coupled with WBL can be more effective in addressing the prevalence of skills mismatch and shortages, which can occur due to the discrepancy between young people's education or skills and the level of education or skills required by potential jobs. In this context, the ReSkill project's overarching objective is to address the interconnected issues of youth unemployment and skills mismatch by developing and delivering a comprehensive dual education programme with an innovative WBL component, on sector-specific work and entrepreneurial skills in the agri-food industry. The project's target group will be young unemployed and NEETs who have completed their education (independently of education level) and are in the transition phase to seeking employment. The agri-food industry was chosen as the sector to test the dual training programme, as it dominates the EU manufacturing sector in terms of value added, employment, international trade and turnover as it employs around 4.5 million people and is composed of 300.000 businesses, mostly SMEs.ReSkill will follow a waterfall methodology which makes planning and designing clear and therefore progress is more easily measured. Needs analysis and current situation investigation will be followed by the design and development of the training modules, assessment and ECVET framework. At the same time, the ReSkill e-training platform will be designed and integrated followed by the creation and digitization of the learning material. Finally, the dual training programme will be delivered, inclusive of the WBL component. Overall, ReSkill will have the following general impact and outcomes:• Develop a truly unique, sector-specific and innovative dual training programme for agri-food skills that will be attractive for NEETs and young unemployed.• Mainstream and expand the use of WBL in countries with less developed dual-training environments• Improve the image of the AF industry as a workplace of choice and opportunity for younger people • Address skills shortages in the AF sector and promote future and forward-looking skills • Promote the employability of NEETs and young unemployed, notably through activities that foster the development of targeted and sector-specific skills and entrepreneurship. • Establish a valuable precedent about the role that WBL and dual training can play in reducing youth unemployment and equipping young people with the right skills for a successful career.

<< Background >>Childhood obesity and overweight are inevitable contemporary problems. The evolution of children's diets over the last decades, coupled with an ever-lower energy expenditure, especially during the COVID-19 period, forces us to question the development and/or reinforcement of food education for children. In southern European countries this issue has a significant impact on the health and well-being of children. In this context, the EFFECT project aims to develop food education for primary school children in France, Greece and the USA. The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that the EFFECT project will develop training content for the children's trainers, considering that only the training of the children's ecosystem will allow the establishment of sustainable habits.<< Objectives >>The main goals of the EFFECT project are to i) propose a thorough analysis of best practices in food education toward children across Europe, to ii) improve the trainer’s awareness and knowledge on food education through dedicated pedagogical material and training sessions, to iii) create and implement the Sustainable Lifestyle Fest in all participating countries, iv) to develop food education for children at the European level through dissemination and transferability activities. It’s envisioned impacts are i) an increase of the knowledge of best practices in food education towards children across Europe, ii) an increase of pedagogical resources and tools available to support trainers in the development of food education sessions towards children, iii) an increase of the children’s knowledge regarding food products, iv) a wider dissemination and uptake of the knowledge in EU educative communities via tailored content on an e-learning platform.<< Implementation >>Different activities will be implemented in the framework of the project: whereas the WP1 will be focused on the gathering of best practices in food education towards children and analysis of needs and requirements, WP2 will aim to create dedicated pedagogical material on food education towards children for trainers. This pedagogical material will be available on an e-learning platform created during WP3 of the project, and be used for both self-learning and blended learning, as trainer’s training sessions and food education sessions towards children will be implemented as part of WP4. For these training pilot experimentations, a toolkit on training trainers will be created. Finally, an innovative concept, the Sustainable Lifestyle Fest, will be implemented in several schools and extracurricular centres in the participating countries: this activity will give children a holistic approach of food (better knowledge of food products, of issues such as food waste, reappropriation of eating habits through the design of one's own menu…), and offer their trainers ideas and advices to implement regular physical activities depending of various contexts. Activities of communication and transferability are planned to increase the visibility of the project and to exploit its results to the fullest.<< Results >>The project has 5 main project’s results: -A White Book on the best practices in food education towards children-Dedicated pedagogical material on food education towards children for trainers-Online e-learning platform with adapted pedagogical content-Toolkit on training trainers in food education towards children-Creation, implementation and transferability of the Sustainable Lifestyle Fest The project’s partners expect to train 120 - 150 European trainers, and to reach another 300 trainers through dissemination and communication activities. More than 1 000 children and 1 000 families will be reached by the project. At a local and regional levels, the project will lead to an increase of pedagogical resources available to the trainers, and thus to better informed children, families and local stakeholders. At the schools level, this project will lead to a development of food education initiatives, notably with the adaptation of the Sustainable Lifestyle Fest. In the long term, the programme is expected to have an impact on the culinary habits of the children and families. At the national and European levels, this programme and its dissemination strategy is expected to raise awareness on the food education of children, and to improve knowledge on pedagogical practices and tools regarding food education. The project will improve EU trainers' knowledge on pedagogical practices in food education, which will empower them in the development of new, related initiatives by highlighting successful practices and providing key knowledge and skills for proper implementation.