OPEN FIELDS: Open and Inclusive Skills Development for Digital and Smart Agriculture

About the project

OPEN FIELDS aims to turn digital farming tools into practical learning for people with different levels of knowledge and experience. The project focuses on digital, environmental and entrepreneurial skills for farmers, agricultural workers and vocational education and training (VET) learners.

Supported through Erasmus+ KA210-VET, the project runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. New Edu,n.o coordinates four organisations from Slovakia, Czechia, North Macedonia and Türkiye. NATURELDER is the Türkiye partner.

Project objectives

• Develop digital literacy and skills in smart farming tools and farm data use.
• Create an inclusive training methodology for people with limited digital skills or access to training.
• Develop flexible vocational resources that combine online learning with practical sessions.
• Strengthen the exchange of experience between VET providers, the farming sector and rural communities.
• Support continued use of the learning resources after the project ends.

The project aims to train at least 120 participants, with women making up at least 40% and young professionals at least 30%. These figures are project targets.

Planned activities and resources

Comparing needs and existing practices: Partners will examine digital farming practices and inclusive training approaches in their countries. The findings will inform the learning resources.

Inclusive training methodology: Each partner country will hold a co-design workshop with local stakeholders. Farmers, trainers, women, young people and local organisations will contribute to a practical training guide. The guide will include learning pathways for different digital skill levels and areas with limited internet access.

Four online learning modules: Partners will develop content on:

• Digital Literacy and Smart Tools for Rural Learners — New Edu.
• ICT and Data-driven Farming Solutions — CSITA.
• Field Practices in Sustainable and Precision Agriculture — AgFutura.
• Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Community Innovation in Agriculture — NATURELDER.

Precision agriculture uses farm data to help match water and other inputs to actual needs. Training will cover the use of these tools on small and medium-sized farms.

The modules are planned in English, Slovak, Czech, Macedonian and Turkish. Online lessons will be combined with practical tasks and face-to-face training. Downloadable resources and offline options will support access. At least 20 learners and eight VET trainers across the four countries will test the content.

Four regional workshops: One workshop in each partner country is planned between February and June 2027. Each workshop will involve around 20–25 participants in practical testing of digital tools and learning modules. Local examples and participant feedback will help refine the resources.

Sharing the results: A final conference in Slovakia is planned for July–August 2027. Partners will present the methodology, modules, field examples, good practice guidelines and policy recommendations. Learning resources are intended to be freely accessible and remain available for at least three years after the project ends.

NATURELDER’s role

Mediterranean Natural Life Association leads the regional workshop activity and will organise the workshop in Türkiye. It will support access to training for women, young people and groups with fewer opportunities.

The association will develop the Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Community Innovation in Agriculture module. Its content will cover cooperative models, social farming, digital marketing and inclusive agricultural businesses. NATURELDER will also lead the development of good practice guidelines on stakeholder engagement and community innovation.

NATURELDER will lead project evaluation. Participant surveys, workshop feedback and partner quality reviews will help track resource use and learning outcomes. Turkish adaptation, accessibility review and local case studies are also part of the association’s contribution.

Who is it for?

OPEN FIELDS is intended for farmers, agricultural workers, VET learners and trainers, agricultural advisors, rural entrepreneurs and local organisations. The project will pay particular attention to women, young people, people with disabilities and participants with limited digital skills or access to training.

OPEN FIELDS is supported through the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. Project reference: 2026-1-SK01-KA210-VET-000449079.