The AgriNext Project is leading a transformative initiative in the agricultural sector by introducing innovative pedagogical approaches that align education, training, and career guidance with the evolving demands of multifunctional agriculture (MA). This concept integrates traditional farming with diverse activities such as agritourism, social farming, farm shops, educational programs, and environmental stewardship, aiming to enhance income generation while fostering social integration, cultural vibrancy, and environmental sustainability.

---

Empowering Through Education and Training

To address the dynamic nature of the agricultural sector, AgriNext facilitates international exchanges of skills and competencies, striving for rural excellence through lifelong learning and continuous professional development of educators, trainers, and mentors. By sharing best practices across borders, individuals gain innovative ideas for personal and professional growth. These initiatives support policymakers, consultants, guidance service providers, and educators in fostering career development and education within the MA sector.

 

Innovations in Career Guidance

Recognizing the expanding scope of agricultural careers, AgriNext has developed a Guidance Service Model (GSM) that adapts to job market needs, ensuring learners and professionals can access up-to-date career pathways in multifunctional agriculture. This includes a Lifelong Learning Database, a structured approach through the new GSM, and specialized training to equip career counsellors and educators.

 

Flexible and Modernized Agricultural Education

 

 

AgriNext is committed to modernizing agricultural learning to meet the changing demands of the sector. The project is developing flexible learning approaches to create an ideal environment for multifunctional agricultural education. This involves analysing how schools in Croatia, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain are adapting curricula and teaching methods to align with modern job market needs, followed by national-level proposals for more flexible vocational education and upskilling programs to equip educators with innovative teaching methods.

 

Upcoming Event: Campus in Córdoba

As the project approaches its final stage, AgriNext is organizing additional initiatives to support the multifunctional agriculture sector.

One such event is the Campus in Córdoba, scheduled for 21–25 April 2025. This five-day experience in Córdoba, Spain, is designed for participants and finalists of the "Green Job = Dream Job" video trailer contest. The event offers a unique opportunity for students and learners to explore the potential of multifunctional agriculture (MA), demonstrating how MA can open new career opportunities while enhancing their digital and green competencies and motivation through the video trailer competition. The event will also facilitate cultural exchange and culminate in the selection of the contest's winner, fostering a dynamic space for knowledge sharing and professional growth.

 

Sustainable Outcomes: Business Incubators and IT Platform

Two significant outputs of this project are the establishment of business incubators and the development of the AgriNext IT platform. The business incubators, set to launch in June 2025 at VET institutions in Slovenia, Croatia, and Spain, will create dynamic spaces that promote growth through expert guidance, hybrid mentorship, agribusiness partnerships, and collaboration with academia and industry for agribusiness innovation.

These incubators will serve as physical hubs for events, presentations, and workshops, providing a space for continuous exchange of knowledge and skill between educators, career counsellors, students, and employers in the multifunctional agriculture sector. They will act as a vital link between the education sector and the labour market for MA, facilitating ongoing collaboration and development.

The AgriNext IT platform is designed to empower students, teachers, trainers, employers, and policymakers by enhancing collaboration, enabling knowledge exchange, and providing access to key resources for vocational education, training, and rural development. Serving as a hub, the platform will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and collaboration among business incubators, while also offering a valuable training and knowledge base for agricultural professionals. Additionally, it will feature a dynamic job board connecting trainees with employers and provide an interactive space for updates and insights, fostering innovation and learning in a comprehensive digital environment.

Through these comprehensive efforts, the AgriNext project is championing multifunctional agriculture, paving the way for a sustainable and vibrant future in the agricultural sector.