Team building for Green Organizational Behavior in Rural Areas
▶Summary
The main objective was to develop and validate an innovative, replicable methodology that uses team-building exercises to strengthen green organisational behaviour in rural vocational contexts exi...
▶Objectives
The main objective was to develop and validate an innovative, replicable methodology that uses team-building exercises to strengthen green organisational behaviour in rural vocational contexts existing in remote areas. The project aimed to equip VET learners, trainers, and rural professionals with practical tools to enhance soft skills such as collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving, while incorporating ecological awareness and sustainable practices. We aimed to create synergy between VET centres and rural SMEs/operators by delivering context-based training modules in agrifood production, sustainable cooking, and crafts. By piloting these modules and publishing the results in a comprehensive manual, the project also aimed to contribute to long-term sustainability, improve the attractiveness of rural VET, and support the green transition through non-formal learning approaches. TB-GOBRA also aimed to educate generally over the science behind the team building from a psychological perspective. Therefore, not only planned the chapter in the manual for the specific theoretical background, also, involved skilled expertise of PhD and majored psychologists into the manual creation for hand on practice and legitimacy of the content.
▶Activities
The application for TB-GOBRA arose from a clear 'GAP' in vocational education: the absence of structured team-building methodologies designed to impact green organisational behaviour in rural areas. VET learners, SMEs, and professionals in agri-food production, sustainable crafts, and Sustainable cooking in gastronomy lacked tools to simultaneously develop environmental awareness and collaborative soft skills. Existing training models focused on technical competencies but overlooked sustainability and group dynamics. The project addressed this by designing and validating a hands-on, problem-based learning approach rooted in rural realities. The need to strengthen cooperation between VET schools/centres and rural SMEs was also evident, particularly in remote regions. By integrating green skill development with teamwork strategies, TB-GOBRA responded directly to Erasmus+ priorities on climate action, rural development, and VET innovation. Overall approach to create a more sustainable impactful team building exercises to be incorporated within the operators in rural areas such as agritourisms, farms, local SMEs and VET educators to highlight the importance of the team coherency and harmony.
▶Impact
TB-GOBRA Manual ; AgriFood Production - TB-GOBRA - Erasmus educational Video; Cooking Education - TB-GOBRA - Erasmus educational Video; Craft Education - TB-GOBRA - Erasmus educational Video; TB GOBRA Manual - Library Lapland University; Impact Studies - TB GOBRA; Methodik zur Teambildung für nachhaltiges Organisationsverhalten im ländlichen Raum; Tiimin rakentamisen metodologia vihreää organisaatiokäyttäytymistä varten maaseutualueilla; Metodologia di Team Building per un comportamento organizzativo ecologico nelle aree rurali; Community Art as an Enbaler of Experiences - TB GOBRA Interviews