Aims of the Project

• Development of new VET (vocational education and training) profession „Aquaponic Urban Farmer“
• Transfer of aquaponic technology into VET in different countries (Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy)
• Transfer of teaching Units into VET in different countries (languages: English, German, Slovenian, Italian)
• Adaption of training resources and support of the training of VET teachers/trainers
• Piloting of the training modules for „Aquaponic Farmers“ Qualification in Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy

Concept, outcomes and applications

As teaching «laboratory», a lightweight modular aquaponic farm (GLOBE) will be used combining a real production of plants and fish with an ideal environment for VET. In addition, a floating system (Tech-IA) will be used as support for plants for natural depuration of water and to create a habitat for fish reproduction. Curricula for Aquaponic education will be defined, tested, translated in five languages and disseminated through online channels. The focus is on practical applications : VET training on « green jobs ».

We will train the teachers in Aquaponic and transfer the educational resources. This forward thinking education will enable teachers to equip their students, but also socially challenged groups, with special skills needed for emerging occupational chances in the field of urban farming and in modern agriculture.

The impacts will be an improved visibility of Aquaponic technologies, bridging the existing knowledge gap between experts and the world of work, thus opening the way for applications in larger scale.

Strategy - Workpackages

WP 1 : Project Management and Communication
Work package 1 covers the overall project activities  along with communication and legal, contractual, financial and administrative management.

WP 2 : Quality Management
Work package 2 assures that all reporting is done correctly, in good quality respecting deadlines and guidelines. Two external evaluators exert the quality control of all pedagogical materials and products of the project.

WP 3 : Transfer of Aquaponic units as teaching tools for vocational centres
Work package 3 covers the transfer of specialist knowledge in aquaponic technology (System/water/fish/plants) to VET teachers from the partner countries. It involves building the teaching aquaponic Units in participation VET Institutions.

WP 4 : Pedagogical Material Preparation and Transfer
Work package 4 covers the preparation of vocational education materials for the target groups (teachers, students and also stakeholders/public).

WP 5 : Testing of educational materials, training of teachers and Evaluation
In Workpackage 5 the new teaching units are to be tested and evaluated through questionnaires (filled in by pupils) and by teachers (action research).

WP 6 : Exploitation, Dissemination and Lifelong learning
The aim of Workpackage 6 is dissemination as a continuous process and reference throughout the operational work packages.