Research Projects

Abstract

C-Farming aspires to foster the uptake of the Carbon Farming green business model, by upscaling the green, digital, net positive entrepreneurial, transversal and resilience skills of current and prospective farming practitioners, agriculture professionals, agriculture students and HE/VET educators, in a holistic and meta-innovative way, enabling them to serve as catalysts and facilitators of agriculture sustainable development within Europe and beyond its borders. This sectoral and cross-sectoral alliance aims to foster innovation in agricultural sector’s education and production processes, while upscaling the uptake of the carbon farming as a climate-smart agriculture solution, by strategically collaborating and exchanging knowledge among 6 higher and vocational education and training centres, 2 research institutions and 10 labour market actors in 7 European countries, serving the sustainable agricultural sector. C-Farming develops two joint training programmes, the Training Programme (VOOC) for farming practitioners, agribusinesses and agricultural students and the Train-the-Trainers Programme (MOOC) for agriculture professionals and VET/HE educators, fully in line with the ECVET/EQF/EQAVET and the EU Micro-credential approach. These resources will be available freely through the C-Farming Digital Learning Ecosystem, offering immersive learning experiences via the e-Learning Platform and the Virtual Farm. Through 6 Capacity Building Activities, 6 blended and 1 asynchronous pilot trainings, 6 in-person and 1 online work-based learning activities, 420 beneficiaries will be upskilled/reskilled, closing skills gaps and enforcing the creation of an effective educational system for the sustainable agricultural sector. The C-Farming Learning & Business Incubators established in the 6 partner countries will act as a fully operational one-stop shops for carbon farming and sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship, while ensuring the long-lasting impact of the project.

Importance for the development of Slovenia

 The C-Farming project contributes to scientific development by involving research institutions in the design of practical tools and training programmes for carbon farming. It connects research with vocational and higher education and enables the development and testing of methods for monitoring carbon impacts. By collecting data and evaluating different approaches across multiple countries, the project provides a basis for comparative analysis. The results can inform the development of standards, improve policy design, and serve as a foundation for further research on the climate effects of agricultural practices. The project offers science valuable insights into practical approaches to sustainable agriculture. A key element of the long-term development of the sector is the development of human resources in this field.

Importance for the development of science

The C-Farming project is important for Slovenia’s development as it supports the transition to sustainable and climate-friendly agriculture. By building knowledge and skills for carbon farming and involving educational institutions, it contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of Slovenian agriculture. The link between practice, education, and research enables the implementation of concrete solutions at the local level. The project also promotes rural entrepreneurship and the development of green jobs, which is vital for strengthening a sustainable society. By improving competencies and accesssibility of modern digital tools, the project lays the foundation for long-term competitiveness and environmentally responsible agricultural policy.