Improving agri-food co-operatives’ capacity by speeding up the development and uptake of future skills based on digital innovations

The project was requested in response to the need to integrate advanced technology, such as Big Data, IoT, AI and robots, into society in order to address urgent social problems, such as populatio...

The #LEADFARM 5.0 project aimed to analyze the opportunities offered by digital innovations in a 5.0 Society, diagnose the future skills and competencies needed in the cooperative agri-food sector, and develop innovative learning methodologies and smart specialization mechanisms targeting cooperatives and young farmers. It also sought to promote scientific dissemination through new forms of accessible learning, ensuring equal opportunities for groups at risk of exclusion, encouraging the participation of women in new emerging jobs and promoting the cooperative culture and values needed in Society 5.0. The project functioned as a network for the development and piloting of a competency framework and training curriculum that will help obtain key skills, knowledge and competencies in ICT and robotic technologies, environment, management and entrepreneurship, and social and emotional intelligence. #LEADFARM 5.0 served as a roadmap for cooperatives to embrace the concept of Society 5.0, focusing on human-centered growth and sustainable development towards 2030.

The #LEADFARM 5.0 project used the Logical Framework Approach to diagnose and formulate its activities, organized in 5 work packages (WP). Two packages were cross-cutting, focusing on coordination, management, and dissemination of results, while the other three focused on specific aspects such as the development of a competency framework for EU agri-food cooperatives, the design of a training curriculum based on digital competencies, and the promotion of a more inclusive, green and digital cooperative community. Specifically, the activities were: WP1: Coordination and management A1.1 Administrative and Financial ManagementA1.2 Celebration of 5 six-month meetings of the project Steering Committee A1.3 Monitoring and evaluation WP2: Dissemination and exploitation of results A2.1 Elaboration of the Communication and Exploitation plans A2.2 Development and managing of the project webpage and logo A2.3 Dissemination of the project on social media A2.4 Development and sending of the project e-newsletter A2.5 Design and distribution of the project e-leaflet and video of final results A2.6 Contacting professional associations and public institutions at the European level for the exploitation of results A2.7 Dissemination of project results in each partner’s promotional and communication activities A2.8 Public communication events A2.9 Final Conference to disseminate the project results A2.10 Promotion, dissemination, and exploitation of project results on the ERASMUS+ Platform WP3: Developing a Competency Framework for the EU agri-food co-operatives 2030 A3.1 Identification of all relevant stakeholders following a multi-actor approach and establishment of transnational thematic working groups A3.2 Analysis of future skills needs in the agri-food cooperative sector A3.3 Methodology definition for the Competency Framework development A3.4 Development of a draft competency model framework A3.5 Gathering feedback from industry representatives and relevant stakeholders. Organisation of national/regional Workshops A3.6 Refining the competency model framework, in line with the information gathered through the focus group sessions A3.7 Validating and finalizing the competency model framework WP4: Designing a competence-based training curricula for the EU agri-food co-operatives and digital training resources A4.1 Developing ICT training tools A4.2 Training curricula preparation. Elaboration of a training plan (analyzing requirements, setting learning objectives, course design, organization, and evaluation criteria) A4.3 Elaboration of the training methodology and contents. Validation of the knowledge, skills, and competences acquired A4.4 Set up and running of the Training of trainers' course and assessment of results WP5: EU deal for an agri-food co-operative community more inclusive, more ecological, and more digital A5.1 Scale-up the #LEADFARM 5.0 impacts on decision-makers; digital & technological framework; training of human resources; acceptance, social involvement & gender A5.2 Roadmap for the EU agri-food co-ops to move towards Society 5.0 A5.3 Action plans for #LEADFARM 5.0 sustainability and transferability

The results obtained in the #LEADFARM 5.0 project were as follows: Continuity was given to the previous LEADFARM project (Erasmus+, 2017-2019), with a significant evolution that allowed progress towards generational changeover and gender balance in agri-food cooperatives. In addition, the impact of the project was expanded at EU level, directly involving new territories, with respect to the previous project, such as Portugal, Poland and Italy. New skills, capacities and competencies were provided to young farmers and members of agri-food cooperatives, preparing them for future trends in agricultural models and management strategies facing digital disruption and climate change. Agri-food cooperatives were helped to invest in training their workforce, while achieving sustainability and productivity. Strategies were facilitated to adapt to technological disruption and take advantage of the opportunities of emerging digital and green economies. A forum for transformative reflection among the different stakeholders was created, facilitating the transition to Society 5.0, promoting public and private sector engagement, and ensuring generational renewal and equal opportunities