Objectives
The project aims at promoting the Green Deal, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through Biochar based practical learning applications and projects for the Circular Carbon Economy in the European VET Sector.
Practical learning fields are created through the use of biochar and the associated utilisation, conversion and product development processes. By acting and reflecting in these learning fields, the students recur to the natural and applied engineering sciences and acquire a broad spectrum of skills and competences to tackle future challenges related to the CCE.
On VET Level the project aims to develop certified VET courses for agri- and horticultural and construction sector on EQF levels (EQF 3-5) in:
- Introductory study modules on biochar for 3 occupational fields
- Creation of study modules in 3 progressive course levels (EQF 3-4) and 5 different application fields in blended learning modality with interfaces to chemistry, physics, biology and engineering (e.g. electronegativity, binding forces of pollutants, capillarity, carbon sequestration, soil life, biofilms for water cleaning, economic efficiency; calculations, complex system thinking (via interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration with local stakeholders), just to name a few
- 1 interdisciplinary certified course focusing on biochar in agriculture/horticulture and construction combined with learning modules on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EQF5)
- Concrete (local) learning projects within the biomass to biochar value chain
- Planning and delivery of 2 transnational interdisciplinary collaborative learning events (1 CPD for 15 educators and one training camp for a total of 15 students)
- Sustainable Development (Development and maintaining nature protection; e.g. biomass to biochar on NATURA 2000 sites, protection of mires and CO2 negative harvesting etc.)
- Product & Service development and value creation with biochar (e.g. for water cleaning, sanitation, CO2 negative plaster and concrete, alternative plant substrates)
- To involve citizens to promote regional development in combination with concrete biomass to biochar projects including a formative validation of their competences
On the local level the project is targeting a minimum of 5 concrete biochar learning pilot projects which will be developed in practical, collaboration of VET and local projects dealing with (among others):
This way, green competences (B4C content, within Sustainability) within VET will be enhanced, VET educators and staff will gain green (and digital) competences and be trained on innovative learning and teaching methodologies while developing projects on biochar and sustainability.
The cooperation between VET and local sustainability projects will be strengthened by encouraging students to work on real business challenges during internships or research studies and involving companies in the piloting phase.