Erasmus+ project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy”

The International Consortium succeeded in the 2020 call of the Erasmus + program, key action – Strategic partnerships in higher education. Czech University of Life Science in Prague together with the partners succeeded in a project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy” (Grant agreement: 2020-1-CZ01-KA203-078495) focused on the long-term viability of small farms managed by young farmers in the context of the new EU strategy “From farm-to-fork”, which is part of the ambitious Green Deal for Europe.

The target group of the project is young farmers, students of agricultural and rural development study programs and the professional society in the agricultural and food sector. The project will identify and describe examples of good practice that will inspire, increase motivation undertake farming activities, enable new and experienced farmers to operate, produce higher value-added products, generate higher incomes, reduce administrative burdens, choose a short supply chain strategy and more.

The content of the project includes the characteristics of small farms managed by young farmers, the definition of their functions (economic, industrial, technical, social, cultural and ecological), the assessment of the situation of farms at national and international level, the characteristics of critical risk points and risk reduction strategies. The impact of changes in agricultural policy and legislation on the activities of individual entities will be simulated by a software solution developed by the Project partners.

The international team will prepare an overview and evaluation of the current and new Agricultural and Rural Development policies of the consortium countries for young farmers on small farms. Examples of good practice will be presented in collaboration across the food value chain to contribute to the long-term viability of farms. Electronic tools will be developed to enable effective economic planning and decision-making.

In the project participating university partners from Poland (Poznan University of Life Sciences), Slovakia (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra), Lithuania (Vytautas Magnus University) and Hungary (University of Szeged) are participating in the project. The connection of the academic with the practice is provided by associations representing young farmers – the Young Agrarians Society of the Czech Republic, the Polish Związek Młodzieży Wiejskiej and the Association of Slovakian Young Farmers (ASYF).

Lithuanian partnership and activities in the project is being developed by Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Department of Business and Rural Development Management, researchers Dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė, Dr. Jurgita Zaleckienė and Dr. Ilona Kiaušienė.

The visit of Lithuanian partners to Turkey

The Faculty of Agriculture of Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) in Turkey was visited by the researchers from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) as a part of the cooperation project entitled “Investigating New Partnerships Between Lithuania and Turkey: Building around Bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal” on 22-26 November, 2021. The Lithuanian team consisted of researchers from VMU AA and KTU, as well as agri-business and agricultural advisory representatives.

The project aimed at building the understanding of the context of the EU Green Deal with particular attention to bioeconomy in agriculture and food sectors, searching for possible partnerships between Lithuania and Turkey through project activities. In this context, the visit had a two-fold goal: to participate with presentations in the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” and to learn about the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture of ESOGU and ATAP (Anatolian Technology Research Park (ATAP).

The first working day (23 November) in Eskisehir was dedicated to meeting with the Dean and project team at the Faculty of Agriculture and the academic staff of the Faculty. During this event, all departments of the Faculty of Agriculture were presented with the main focus placed on research, active projects, and possibilities of collaboration.

In the afternoon of 23 November, the Lithuanian team visited the ATAP. Dr. Sedat TELCEKEN, the general manager of the ATAP, shared information about activities of ATAP, established companies, resources, and R&D. The Eskisehir Design and Innovation Center (EDIC) was introduced to all the visitors by Dr. Kastytis Gečas, a Lithuanian and the project team leader who is currently leading the team of consultants in the foundation and service development of the EDIC. The Lithuanian visitors enjoyed all the discussions and information related to the ATAP.

In the morning of 24 November, the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” took place at the modern hall of the Faculty of Agriculture, gathering researchers, representatives of agri-bussiness sector, and policy-makers.

The workshop was opened with welcome speeches by Prof Dr. Yusuf Ersoy Yıldırım, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, ESOGÜ and Pro. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of Agriculture Academy, VMU AA, Rūta Hanagasi, a representative from the Lithuanian Embassy to Turkey, and Prof Dr. Rıfat Edizkan, Vice Rector of ESOGÜ. Prof. Dr. Handan Giray, the project leader, introduced the project activities, aim, and goals. Her colleague Assoc. Prof. Utku Avcı then made an overview of the Green Deal. The first part of the workshop was ended by presentation by Adil Yüksel Perkin, Ahmet Berkay Bulutcu (DG EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), who spoke about what had been done for the Green Deal in Turkey so far.

After the coffee break, Lithuanian team made their scientific contribution in the context of bioeconomy and the Green Deal. Dr. Laura Girdžiūtė, Head of the Innovation Support Service of the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service (LAAS), and researchers from VMU AA Prof Dr. Astrida Miceikienė and Assoc. Prof Dr. Anastasija Novikova presented good practice of cooperation between the Lithuanian institutions in developing the bioeconomy in Lithuania: the cases of VMU and LAAS. Service Development Manager at UAB Baltic Agro Machinery Assoc. Prof Dr. Antanas Juostas and Prof Dr. Egidijus Šarauskis, VMU AA, presented the scientific and practical experience in artificial intelligence in agriculture. Assoc. Prof Dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė, VMU AA, also a Member of the European Commission Mission Board Soli Health and Food, introduced the audience to the role of the European Mission Soil Health and Food in achieving Green Deal and UN-SDGs. The last presenter from VMU AA, Assoc. Prof Dr. Anželika Dautartė, spoke about increasing climate ambitions focusing on ecosystems and biodiversity. The colleagues from KTU, Dr. Alvija Šalaševičienė and Aelita Zabulionė held discussion on the topic “Food as Preventative Measure? From Nutrient Profiles till Restriction of Nutrition and Health Claims on Food” and highlighted the challenges and lessons learned of designing meat analogues.

25 November was the last working day of the project partners. The steering committee of the project met to sum up all activities during the project and drafted the plans for future collaboration.

The project is funded under the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme

The visit of Turkish partners in Lithuania

Researchers from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) are implementing the cooperation project “Investigating New Partnerships Between Lithuania and Turkey Building around Bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal” with researchers from (ESOGU), Turkey.

The project aims to understand the context of the EU Green Deal with particular attention to bioeconomy in agriculture and food sectors, to search possible partnerships between Lithuania and Turkey through project activities. Project activities include identifying future project ideas, investigating possible call and funds, as well as technology transfer and good practice exchange.

The first meeting in person of partners took place at VMU AA from 20 September to 24 of September. Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy hosted the visit of 7 researchers from Faculty of Agriculture of ESOGU and 2 representatives from agricultural business sector in Eskisehir.

On 21st of September, all partners participated in the Plenary Session of 10th International Scientific Conference ‘Rural Development 2021: Challenges for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change’, Business and Science Forum. The evening programme was finished with the Gala Dinner at Raudondvaris Manor Arts Incubator, where guests enjoyed the beautiful Lithuanian music and interesting discussions.

September 22nd was dedicated to the Meeting of Development Cooperation Project Partners for Lithuania and Turkey and participation in Parallel sessions of the 10th International Scientific Conference ‘Rural Development 2021: Challenges for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change’. Prof. Handan Giray presented her research in the Social Research for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change parallel session Presentation title: Evolution of Rural Development in Turkey, and Prof. Yusuf Ersoy Yıldırım presented his research in the Biosystems Engineering and Environment Integrity parallel session. His presentation title was“ Climate Change Effects on Water Resources in Konya Basin in Turkey”.

During the Meeting of Development Cooperation Project Partners for Lithuania and Turkey, the project leader Prof. Handan Giray presented the aim and goals of the project as well as the expected outcomes. The researchers of VMU AA made presentations about different departments of VMU AA. The Chancellor of VMU AA, prof. dr. Astrida Miceikiene gave an opening speech wishing all partners fruitful meeting, discussions and ideas for future collaboration. The general presentation of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy with the focus on studies and study programmes was made by International coordinator Ekaterina Makrickiene. The head of Communication and Technology Transfer Center Edvinas Samys spoke about the main VMU projects, activities and the best practices in collaboration with business. Short presentations of VMU AA faculties were presented by representatives of all VMU AA faculties. Assoc. prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė presented the main activities of Agronomy Faculty, prof. dr. Egidijus Šarauskis and assoc. prof. dr. Rytis Skominas spoke about the Faculty of Engineering, the Lithuanian coordinator of the project assoc. prof. Dr. Anastasija Novikova presented the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development , and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Silekiene made a presentation about Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology. After all presentations, it was identified that both institutions have common research areas, same study programmes, therefore it gave a good start for future collaboration as well.

September 23rd was the last working day for the project partners. On this day, the International Agricultural Exhibition “Ką pasėsi…” was visited. Partners from Turkey found useful contacts for future collaboration during this exhibition. The main themes of the exhibition were agricultural machinery; crop processing and storage equipment; seeds, plant protection products and fertilizers; digital technologies for agriculture; products and equipment for livestock and poultry farming and aquaculture. The exhibition was the last point of the visit. Partners agreed that the visit of Lithuanian team to Turkey will be on 22-26 of November.

The project is funded under the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme

Project „RURALYOUTH” transnational partners meeting in Lithuania

The first face to face transnational meeting of partners in the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships for youth project “Empowering rural tourism through entreprenuership with youth” (acronym RURALYOUTH) finnaly happend. It took place in 23-24 of November and was hosted by Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) adn organised by assoc. prof. Rasa Pranskūnienė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty together with Daiva Bukšnienė, director of Lukšiai Culture Centre, Šakiai district.

Meeting has been organised not only as face to face meeting, but as well as online meeting. The meeting was attended by representatives of 6 project partners, including: project coordinator: Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey) and project partners: Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovakia), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), Eskisehir Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), ProEduca z.s. (Czech Republic). Face to face meeting partners coming fromꓽ Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), ProEduca z.s. (Czech Republic) had possibility to enjoy the first snow. During the meeting partners have shared their institutional presentations, as well the representants of consortium discussed the ongoing project activities and the training program being prepared, as well as worked on a plan for future project activities.

The project, which has a 24 month implementation period, forms a lifelong education system for tourism students, who would like to be the entrepreneurs in rural areas. The project creates actions to improve knowledge of agricultural, touristic, rural, cultural and entrepreneurship among young people and will prevent miss-match for tourism students. With this project, which was formed with 6 partners, it was aimed to support the development of rural areas, to support lifelong learning, to increase awareness of the nationality through education and technology-based distance education model and to develop action plans in line with the European Youth Strategy.

We are very happy and especially grateful to Lukšiai Culture Centre, hotel „Zyplių dvaro oficina“, restoran „Kuchmistrai” and Šakiai district Lukšiai municipality for the memorable experiences and possibility to have this meeting at Zypliai Manor.

4th meeting of the Smartrural project

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė and assoc. prof. dr. Aušra Rūtelionė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) have attended the face to face meeting of partners in the Erasmus + KA203 “SMARTRURAL” project at Pegaso University, Italy. Thus, 4th meeting of the SMARTRURAL project (Erasmus + KA203 project – Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Towards smart rural tourism development in Europe) took place on 3rd and 4th of November 2021 in Naples. It was hosted by the University Pegaso (Italy). Partners from 7 academic units in Europe came together to summarize the project activities such as online course, best practices, promotion and dissemination works.

There was also a Multipier Event for an international audience, hosted by colleagues from Pegaso University on 4th of November 2021. The next Multiplier Events disseminating the project and promoting the course on the Moodle platform will take place in partner countries, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia at the end of November and in December 2021.

MIENAT project meeting and training days in Porto, Portugal

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė and assoc. prof. dr. Anastasija Novikova from Bioeconomy Development Faculty (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) have attended the face to face meeting of partners in the Erasmus + KA203 project – Erasmus+ MIENAT Strategic Partnership in Higher Education project “Methodology of Interpretation of European Nature Heritage in Tourism” at Porto university, Portugal from 13^th to 18^th of September 2021. The meeting was attended by representatives of partner universities, including: Porto University (Portugal), Universidad Europea, Madrid (Spain). Munster Technological University (Ireland), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Romania), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), and Prague University of Economics and Business (Czech Republic). The representatives of the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (Germany), FH Burgenland (Austria) were connected online.

The project, which has a 36-month implementation period. The main objectives of the project are to prepare materials for innovations in the field of education on the topic of “Experiencing Nature Tourism” and to create new, modern, didactic materials.

The meeting, was held as Training Days event (short-term joint staff training event) at School of Economics and Management, Porto University (port. Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto), where partners of the project presented natural heritage and methodology of its interpretation, shared the examples of good practices. During the workshops there were held presentations, piloting, evaluation of prepared didactic materials. Each partner presented the draft of his part of the e-book chapter, as well as presented the idea of chosen case studies, discussed the didactical concepts. Meeting participants had possibility to visit on – site examples of good practices in |Portugal. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the next meeting would take place in Vytautas Magnus Univertsity, in Lithuania.

Training Days at the university in Porto gave us great opportunity to see and learn and enjoy so much in such a short time! We became familiar with the university and beauties of Porto region; we saw different nature attractions and experienced various ways of their interpretation. We believe the Training Days and stay in Portugal gave us a great deal of new experience and enabled us to make another step in our project.

Agriculture, Rural Development and Land-use Decision Support Systems

The international Erasmus+ project „Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management” (FARM) (agreement number: 2020-1-DE01-KA203-005688) is gaining momentum. The project started in 1st of November, 2020. For the time being, all project partner meetings are held remotely.

The project is coordinated by Lead Partner Harz University of Applied Sciences. One of the project partners is the Research Institute of Business and Rural Development of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University. Actively involved Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT; Spain), University of Cyprus (UCY; Cyprus), Association for Internationalization of Education and Science (INTER-EDU; North Macedonia).

During the first meetings of the project, there was a lot of discussion about the decision support system (DSS), which can be any system that supports the decision-maker in making a decision, but it is primarily an information system that supports the decision-making activities of a business or organization. DSS helps to select and analyze large amounts of data by gathering detailed information that can be used to address agricultural, rural development and land management issues.

The decision is always a choice of many options, which should also include the option to do nothing. DSS performs many functions, so there are as many definitions as can be found articles and books on the subject. Decision support systems do not make decisions themselves, but help to make decisions, therefore their application requires specialists with certain qualifications.

During the discussions of the project partners, it was concluded that the main features of DSS are: it supports the decision-maker, but does not replace him; it supports all stages of the decision-making process; DSS user controlled; is usually an interactive and user-friendly tool developed by teams of researchers and practitioners.

Over the 26 months of the project, the partners plan to achieve four goals.

The first activity, which aims to identify, describe an interactive decision support system (DSS) in different countries in the fields of agriculture, rural development and land management and to produce an interactive map of decision support systems (DSS) for agriculture, rural development and land management, is being completed.

The second and third activities have been launched. Under the second project activity, it is planned to create an online ICT-based DSS tool catalog, which will be openly accessible and available on the project website – https://www.hs-harz.de/forschung/ausgewaehlte-forschungsprojekte/farm/, on the websites of the partner institutions. The project aim to promote DSS and ICT tools in agriculture, rural development and land management, to assist agricultural, rural development and land management decision-makers.

The result of this output is an online catalog of ICT and DSS tools that will be openly accessible and available on the project website and on the websites of the partner institutions

Under the third project activity, it is planned to develop 2 DSS prototypes that can be applied in the fields of agriculture, rural development and land management, after the need has been studied. The development of FARM DSS tools aims to enable the agri-food sector to assess, monitor and reduce the negative environmental impact of agricultural technological decisions and methods.

BIOECONOMY STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM developed by BIOEASTsUP Project

Dear Partners,

The BIOEASTsUP Project invites you to become a member of the BIOEAST Stakeholder platform. The Platform provides an opportunity for cooperation and networking among the regional stakeholders and institutions in various domains of the bioeconomy.

Your participation in the BIOEAST Stakeholder Platform will increase your visibility in the regional professional community and, looking from the opposite perspective, expand your horizons to meet, exchange and collaborate with regional bioeconomy experts on themes of your professional interest. You can create your profile on the Platform here, you will be asked to state your

core activities related to bioeconomy,
feedstock types of your interest,
value chain segments of your interest,
sectors/topics of your interest and
product types targeted.

When becoming a registered user of the BIOEAST Stakeholder Platform, the items listed above will assist you in narrowing down the selection of experts for your professional exchange.

Become a part of a growing and thriving professional community, working for a common goal – boosting sustainable and circular bioeconomy in Central and Eastern Europe!

REGISTRATION

ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR INVITED REPRESENTATIVES OF 7 COUNTRIES

On May 12, the Director of the Business and Rural Development Research Institute of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development prof. dr. Jan Žukovskis has invited researchers, lecturers and students from foreign universities and institutions to join the online international seminar “Possibilities and perspectives for common research projects for studies and science”. The seminar contributes to fostering research for study and science.

19 presentations were presented at the international online seminar. We attach an Agenda to the detailed topics of the presenters. The internationality of the seminar was reflected in the abundance of participants from various countries, such as: India, Malaysia, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine and Lithuania.

Following the presentations, 7 cooperation proposals were presented, offering to join the scientific project activities. Who were interested in further cooperation has exchanged contacts.

It is gratifying that the international seminar takes place twice a year (autumn and spring) and attracts the same long-term participants and attracts more and more new partners who want to share their good practices.

The next international seminar “Possibilities and perspectives for common research projects for studies and science” is scheduled for September 20, 2021.

Agenda

BIOECONOMY KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE TRAINING PROGRAM with support of BIOEASTsUP

Researchers, advisors, and industrial players are invited to register to bioeconomy knowledge exchange training program. The aim of the training program is to provide comprehensive knowledge about the relevance of the bioeconomy and to provide practical hands-on materials and methodology in the context of sustainable and circular bioeconomy.

To register for the training, please click on register now. Please note that application for the training program is made through the BIOEAST NCPs. Thus, we recommend that you contact the national BIOEAST NCP before applying for the training.

More information HERE.

BIOEASTsUP online training for researchers on proposal writing

BIOEASTsUP online training for advisers to develop essential skills for bio-economic innovations

BIOEASTsUP online training for Industrial stakeholdersto to develop sustainable business models