The Erasmus+ project GREENEUR has been launched, in which scientists from the VMU AA will develop an environmental impact calculator for EU-funded projects

The GreenEUR project was launched on 1 October 2024. The project is coordinated by the University of Lorraine (France) and partnered by Eskişehir Technical University (Turkey), the University of Vigo (Spain), the European University Foundation (EUF) and Vytautas Magnus University.

In recent years, the European Union has prioritized sustainable development, with ambitious goals to integrate environmental responsibility across all its initiatives. These priorities are embedded in EU policies that increasingly seek to address the environmental impact of projects funded under Erasmus+ and beyond. While many EU-funded projects contribute positively to education, research, and innovation, they also generate an ecological footprint—from travel and materials to energy consumption and waste. However, without a standardised framework for assessing their impact, the environmental risks linked to these activities remain unaddressed.

The GreenEURproject sets out to change this by creating a green label that evaluates the environmental impact of EU-funded projects, providing a first-of-its-kind approach for sustainability in project planning and implementation. This label, alongside tools such as a user-friendly impact calculator and detailed assessment guidelines, will empower project leaders to minimize ecological impact from the outset. Through these resources, the GreenEURproject aims to support and motivate project leaders, EU institutions, and evaluators to adopt eco-conscious practices, contributing to a collective effort for a greener future.

Project title: Assess and label the environmental sustainability of European projects.

Period: 2024-2026

Funding: Erasmus+ Key Action 2, total budget: 300790 EUR

Key project results:

Environmental Impact Calculator: a quantitative tool to assess the sustainability performance of projects, helping stakeholders to identify and mitigate environmental risks.

Green Label: a clear and accessible label awarded to projects based on their environmental performance, increasing transparency and promoting best practice.

Guidelines and Handbook: A comprehensive guide tailored for a wide range of stakeholders – project managers, EU institutions and national agencies – describing environmentally friendly practices and key indicators for project evaluation.

Policy Guidance: A set of recommendations for EU policy makers to promote green practices and integrate sustainability into project appraisal processes.

With practical tools and a long-term vision, GreenEURproject aims to become a benchmark for environmental transparency, helping projects to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable objectives.

Website

Workshop on the FIFISH V6 Expert drone application options

Bioeconomy Research Centre of Excellence (BioTec) invites teachers, researchers, PhD candidates and students to attend a presentation and training session on the FIFISH V6 Expert underwater drone, which will showcase the capabilities of the equipment and its application in research.

The equipment is designed for comprehensive research on water bodies and their ecosystems. It can be used to take water and bottom soil samples, to inspect underwater hydraulic structures, to assess their condition, and to record and accurately measure damages. The equipment includes innovative Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. During the workshop the representative from ROV-Tech will present the Blue Robotics USV (Uncrewed Surface Vessel), an autonomous vessel designed for surveying bodies of water.

Date: November 20th 2024, 10:30-13:00

Duration: 3 hours

REGISTRATION

This workshop is one of the activities of the project “Development of the Bioeconomy Research Centre of Excellence (BioTec)”. The project is partially funded by a grant (Project ‘Development of the Bioeconomy Research Center of Excellence’ (BioTEC) No. S-A-UEI-23-14) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania under the Program ‘University Excellence Initiative’.

Workshop on the “Yara” sensor application options

Bioeconomy Research Centre of Excellence (BioTec) invites teachers, researchers, PhD candidates and students to attend a presentation and training session on the Yara sensor, which will showcase the capabilities of this equipment and its application options in scientific research.

Date: November 6th 2024, 11:00-13:00

Place: Rapsų str. 7, Noreikiškės, Kaunas district (VMU AA Experimental Station, Kernza Experiment (VIKING))

Duration: 3 ac. hours

REGISTRATION

The experiment is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, international research and development project “Kernza introduction opportunities in the Nordic-Baltic region” (VIKING) (No TM-23-3).

Visit of VMU AA researcher at the “OpenLivingLab Days” event

Jovita Balandaitė, Junior researcher at the Bioeconomy Research Centre of Excellence (BioTec), participated in the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) “OpenLivingLab Days” in Timișoara, Romania, on September 24th to 27th.

The event highlighted the benefits of developing living labs, their relevance for addressing pressing societal challenges, the importance of such labs for policy making and the management of innovative ecosystems. It focused on how living labs help business and society to adapt to new technologies, discussing possible business models, operational aspects, etc.

We discussed how living labs and society can work together to achieve meaningful systemic change. During the event, speakers and participants shared best practices, explored opportunities for collaboration, and held interactive and research sessions and workshops.

SEMINAR Innovative research in agriculture and environmental engineering for the bioeconomy development

The Bioeconomy Research Center of Excellence (BioTEC) of the Academy of Agriculture of the Vytautas Magnus University invites teachers, researchers, doctoral students and students to participate in the seminar: Innovative research in agriculture and environmental engineering for the bioeconomy development.

Date: 2024 May 9 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION

THE PROGRAM

Join the pre-seminar remotely HERE

Teaching aid, research paper competitions and awarding nominations of VMU AA employees are announced

We invite the employees of the VMU Agriculture Agriculture to participate in the competition of teaching aid and research papers, sharing with the community the significant work done and celebrating the achievements.

The winners will be awarded at the festive commemoration of the Day of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence, which will take place in the Hall of VMU Agriculture Academy central building (Studentų str. 11, Akademija, Kaunas distr.) on March 12. 1 p.m.

TEACHING AID COMPETITION REGULATIONS

TA competition is organized to initiate the sharing of experience in the development and use of advanced teaching methods and TAs among the teachers among the teachers at the VMU Agriculture Academy; to accelerate the development and use of TAs and innovative teaching techniques; to encourage the teachers to develop and improve TAs and apply them effectively in their teaching activities.

The competition is open to employees at the VMU Agriculture Academy and their teams who have developed new TAs and applied them in teaching the students at the VMU Agriculture
Academy.

Entries can be submitted under the following headings:

Teaching publications (textbooks, course books, lecture notes, descriptions of laboratory work and exercises, other teaching publications (> 50 pages), published in print or electronic form);
Visual aids (instruments, tools, laboratory and display benches, mockups, models,
collections of objects studied, videos, poster sets, and other tools);
Methods of organizing studies and other TAs (integrated provision of supporting teaching aids for the study subject, implementation of distance learning, implementation of other innovative study methods, etc.).

The application shall be accompanied by an extract of the minutes of the academic unit Council or a committee authorized by it, along with a recommendation, and a copy of the TA (or its location) and a description of it.

The TA description shall specify the following:

Name of TA;
Author(s)’ details (name, surname, faculty, institute, department, position, title, academic title and scientific degree, telephone number, email address);
Purpose of the TA (study programme, study subject, topics within the study subject structure);
Relevance (need, previous development of similar tools, etc.);
Methodological compatibility with independent studies (possibilities for active learning and innovative study methods using the TA);
Innovation (innovation in the presentation of course material) and scientific approach (use of the latest scientific information and tools, possibilities for student involvement in research);
Visual quality of the knowledge presented and quality of the publication design (intensity of use of visual elements, strong aspects of the publication design);
Other benefits.

Candidates’ documents for the competition shall be submitted to the coordinator for the administration of studies in the Administrative Group of the VMU Agriculture Academy dr. Rasa Čingienė (by email rasa.cingiene@vdu.lt or at VMU AA central building room 237) by 15 February.

A maximum of 3 prizes will be awarded per heading. Prizes are awarded to first-place winners, and certificates of appreciation are awarded to second and third-place winners. The prize fund shall be allocated by the Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy.

Contact for more information: dr. Rasa Čingienė rasa.cingiene@vdu.lt, VMU AA central building room 237.

RESEARCH PAPER COMPETITION REGULATIONS

RP competition is organized to encourage the teachers, researchers, and PhD students at the VMU Agriculture Academy, to conduct research and disseminate the results thereof, to contribute to the enhancement of the scientific, social and economic environment of Vytautas Magnus University and of the whole country; to select, promote, and reward the best researchers and research groups at the VMU Agriculture Academy.

The competition is open to teachers, researchers, and PhD students of the VMU Agriculture Academy.

Entries can be submitted under the following headings:

research group category (it is recommended that the number of authors of a submitted research paper should not exceed 4 and that each publication should be authored by at least two authors from the research group participating in the competition);
international researcher’s category (a researcher working on a research project in collaboration with researchers from other countries);
category of the young researcher, doctoral student, or their team (applicants must be aged 35 or younger, hold a PhD granted no earlier than 5 years ago, not including parental leave).

The RP competition is open to collections of scientific output on a common topic for the last 2 calendar years, which may include:

scientific monographs, parts of scientific monographs, scientific studies;
patented scientific output, registered plant and animal varieties;
scientific publications;
oral presentations at plenary sessions of scientific international conferences.

The RP shall be submitted to the competition together with the following:

Extract from the minutes of the Council of the academic unit or a committee authorized by it, with a recommendation, which shall include the title of the submitted RP, the author(s) and the creative contribution that shall be assessed in proportion to the number of authors or on the basis of a joint declaration signed by the authors;
A brief description (up to 1 page) of the research paper or collection of the output, indicating the title of the RP, the components of the submitted research paper or collection of the output, and highlighting the most important aspects of the RP that are relevant to the competition.
Information about the author(s) of the RP (name, surname, date of birth, position, scientific title and degree, scientific achievements, list of major scientific outputs signed by a library staff member, contribution index, telephone number, email address).

The competition is not open to winners of the previous year’s RP competition.

Candidates’ documents for the competition shall be submitted to the Scientific Activity Coordinator dr. Algis Kvaraciejus (by email algis.kvaraciejus@vdu.lt or at VMU AA central building room 227) at the VMU Agriculture Academy by 15 February.

A maximum of 5 prizes will be awarded to the winners of the RP competition: a maximum of 3 prizes shall be awarded in the 1st category and 1 prize in the 2nd and 3rd categories each.

Contact for more information: dr. Algis Kvaraciejus, algis.kvaraciejus@vdu.lt VMU AA central building room 227.

THE SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS

The Nominations are an incentive tool to encourage the involvement of the employees and students of the VMU Agriculture Academy in further development of the quality of studies, research and scientific services, the creation of a motivating working environment, and fostering of culture and values.

Nominations are open to employees (or a group of employees) and students of the VMU Agriculture Academy who have an impeccable reputation. The employee or student who has violated the VMU Code of Academic Ethics and/or work discipline shall not be eligible for the Nomination.

Types of the VMU Agriculture Academy Nominations and the Nomination criteria:

Nomination “Scientific Achievement of the Year” is awarded to a member or group of members of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy for receiving significant national and/or international awards for research and experimental development (R&D) activities. One candidate is submitted by each academic and non-academic division.
Nomination “Project of the Year” is awarded to a member or group of members of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy for active project activities, the impact of the winning project on the region, country, and society at national and/or international level. One candidate is submitted by each academic and non-academic division.
Nomination “Researcher of the Year” is awarded to students and other members of the academic community at all levels of the VMU Agriculture Academy, except those holding a doctoral degree, for their active scientific research activities and results of scientific achievements. The Nomination may be awarded to the same member of the academic community once every three calendar years. One candidate is submitted by each academic division.
Nomination “Employee of the Year” is awarded to an employee of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy who is indirectly involved in activities related to studies and research, for significant initiatives for the development of the VMU Agriculture Academy, outstanding diligence and loyalty to the VMU Agriculture Academy. The Nomination may be awarded to the same member of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy once every three calendar years. The candidates are submitted by the administration, academic, and non-academic divisions of the VMU Agriculture Academy.
Nomination “Partnership of the Year” is awarded to a member of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy for the establishment, development, and expansion of close and significant cooperation with social and business partners, taking into account the importance of the cooperation, the support provided by the partner, or any other significant achievements at the VMU Agriculture Academy. The Nomination may be awarded to the same member of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy once every three calendar years. The candidates are submitted by the administration, academic, and non-academic divisions of the VMU Agriculture Academy.
Nomination “Teacher of the Year” is awarded to a member of the academic community of the VMU Agriculture Academy whose main job functions are related to the VMU Agriculture Academy, for the following results: students’ objective satisfaction with the taught subject, advanced pedagogical activity, work with the Erasmus+ students, resources used for the taught subjects, innovative approach in teaching, teacher’s activity and partnership with other study and research institutions, promotion of study programmes at the VMU Agriculture Academy among pupils and the public, and supervision of students’ research papers. The Nomination may be awarded to the same teacher once every three calendar years. One candidate is submitted by each Faculty.
Nomination “Student of the Year” is awarded to a first-, second- or third-cycle student at the VMU Agriculture Academy for significant achievements in learning, research, organizational or social activities. The same student may be nominated once during the entire study period. One candidate is submitted by each Faculty, taking into account the opinion of student representatives.
Nomination “Researcher’s International Mobility of the Year” is awarded to researchers at the VMU Agriculture Academy with and without a doctoral degree, to teachers, scientific workers, and doctoral students for their activity within the framework of international visits. The Nomination may be awarded to the same researcher once every three calendar years. One candidate is submitted by each academic and non-academic division.
Nomination “Student’s International Mobility of the Year” is awarded to a first- or second-cycle student at the VMU Agriculture Academy for active participation in international exchange (internships, short-term courses, studies). The same student may be awarded the Nomination once during the entire study period. One candidate is submitted by each Faculty.
Nomination “Ambassador of the Year” is awarded to a member or group of members of the community of the VMU Agriculture Academy for active promotion of study and research activities, events at national and/or international level. One candidate is submitted by each academic and non-academic division

VMU Scientists Have Launched New Project “NENUPHAR”

Scientists from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) Department of Water Engineering and the Institute of Bioeconomy Research (VMU-AA), led by Professor Arvydas Povilaitis, have started a large-scale HORIZON EUROPE CL6-2022-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-02 (Clean environment and zero pollution) project NENUPHAR – “New governance models to enhance nutrient pollution handling and nutrients recycling”. The project brings together representatives from science, business, and non-governmental organizations from 21 European Union countries. The project duration is 4 years.

The excess of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P), is one major source of pollution at the EU Level, affecting soil, water, and air and having a severe impact on biodiversity in both inland waters and seas. In Europe, nutrient pollution is generated from intensive agricultural and farming activities and urban areas with high population density. At the same time, fertilizer prices soared during the second half of 2021 and they are reaching unprecedented values.

However, there is a significant untapped potential to recover and reuse N and P from the European food chain. The most promising three wastes to address are animal manure, sewage waste (mainly sludges), and food chain waste, (e.g. slaughterhouse waste). These streams imply a quantity of between 2 and 5 Mt of N and 0.6 Mt of P that are not being recovered, which represent 18-46% of the 11 Mt of mineral N currently applied to EU crops, and 43% of the 1.4 Mt of mineral-based P applied to crops. The recovery of these nutrients would address both the pollution and the high nutrient prices issue.

Therefore, the overall objective of the NENUPHAR project is to demonstrate new circular value chains addressing the recovery of N and P from three key waste streams at the EU level: animal waste, sludges, and wastewater. To this end, the project will develop new holistic governance solutions considering collaboration schemes between stakeholders, processes for N/P recovery, revised regulatory and financial instruments, and tools for stream monitoring and control. These solutions will be demonstrated in the Ebro (Spain), Danube (Hungary and Slovakia), and Lielupė (Latvia and Lithuania) river basins ensuring their European-wide representation. Moreover, two action plans for the replication of the project results and insights will be developed for the islands of Bornholm (Denmark), and Cyprus.

GFarm project: Transforming Tomorrow

GFarm project is an initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. There are two goals: to develop a model for more efficient GHG assessment and registration and to create a framework for a national carbon sink certification and monitoring system. Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) is one of the project partners. Rytis Skominas, Vilma Naujokienė, Gintautas Mozgeris, Zita Kriaučiūnienė, Egidijus Šarauskis, Rolandas Bleizgys, Rita Čepulienė are the main representatives of the project from the VMU.

Project summary

The land use, land-use change and forestry sector (LULUCF) cover the entire territory of Lithuania and all agricultural land. It contributes to implementing climate change mitigation goals by absorbing GHGs in soil, living biomass, wood, etc. The EC proposes to expand this sector’s scope and include all agriculture in LULUCF from 2031.

European strategic alignment:

Green Deal
Farm to Fork Strategy
Carbon Farming
Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
The new EU forest strategy for 2030

Achieving emission reduction targets requires a careful assessment of GHG calculation methodologies and a closer look at soils high in organic carbon. Even a tiny change to one side or the other can significantly change the balance.

Challenges

Strategic Challenge: Achieving national and EU climate change mitigation and adaptation targets by enabling systemic change in part of Lithuania’s AFOLU sector and governance regarding GHG emission reduction and implementing carbon farming initiatives.

Lack of common procedures and holistic approaches for AFOLU sectors’ climate impact assessment at scale.
Underdeveloped technological ecosystem for GHG emission and sequestration monitoring, accounting and informed decision-making with the AFOLU sector.
Insufficient positive incentives to promote behavioural change with the AFOLU sector and support the transition towards carbon farming practices.

Objectives

Holistic Methodology
GHG monitoring database and carbon register
Data calculation and measuring technological infrastructure
Recommendations for promoting a carbon farming system

Project team:

AgriFood Lithuania DIH LT (coordinator)
UAB ART21 (partner)
UAB DOJUS AGRO LT (partner)
UAB LITAGRA LT (partner)
NATIONAL PAYING AGENCY (partner)
VALSTYBINE MISKU TARNYBA (partner)
VYTAUTO DIDZIOJO UNIVERSITETAS (partner)
LIETUVOS MISKO IR ZEMES SAVININKU ASOCIACIJA (partner)
UAB MELDA (partner)
UAB STRATEGY LABS (partner)