Our Smart Skills project brings together a diverse consortium of dedicated partners across Europe, each contributing unique expertise to strengthen digital skills and sustainable practices in agriculture. Here’s an introduction to our partners, their areas of expertise, and their roles in the project.
Instytut Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roślin (IHAR, Poland)
The lead coordinator for Smart Skills, IHAR’s Experimental Department at Grodkowice specialises in plant breeding and the implementation of innovative agricultural practices. With a focus on developing training for farmers, educators, and students, IHAR’s hands-on approach to plant production and agronomic methods is a core asset to our project. IHAR oversees project management and reporting and ensures that Smart Skills stays aligned with its goals in sustainable agriculture.
Team Lead: Dr. Agnieszka Rachwalska, a seasoned trainer and expert in biological and agricultural sciences.
Momentum Marketing Services (Ireland)
Momentum brings its expertise in developing progressive learning programmes, particularly in sustainability and digital skills for adult and further education. Known for its strong marketing and dissemination capabilities, Momentum is instrumental in creating and managing the Smart Skills brand and communications strategy. Their role extends to sharing project results with a wider audience to ensure impactful dissemination.
Key Contributors: Orla Casey, Managing Director, and Paula Whyte, Agri-Food Sector Lead.
ARID Association (Poland)
Founded to support rural development and lifelong learning, ARID promotes innovation and digital transformation in agriculture. They bring rich experience from past projects in sustainable agriculture and precision farming. Within Smart Skills, ARID contributes to Work Package 2, developing the Good Practice Guide, and supporting overall content development and translation for accessibility.
Notable Team Members: Maciej Dymacz, Chairman, and Martyna Kurek, Project Manager, both experienced in rural innovation and digital skills training.
New Edu (Slovakia)
New Edu combines research with hands-on training in the agriculture and food sectors, working closely with academic institutions and local governments to strengthen rural communities. For Smart Skills, New Edu leads content development for learning modules on topics such as digital farming and automated control systems. Their efforts include designing a comprehensive template to standardise the module structure.
Lead Experts: Zuzana Palkova and Marieta Okenková, with extensive experience in agricultural policy and rural development.
Meridaunia Local Action Group (Italy)
Meridaunia, a consortium representing 30 municipalities in the Monti Dauni area, is committed to local development and sustainable practices. With experience in community-driven projects, Meridaunia supports content creation and visual resources for learning modules, helping rural farmers and communities embrace digital tools and sustainable farming methods.
Key Members: Daniele Borrelli, Director, and Angela Maria Loporchio, Project Manager, both leaders in European funding and sustainable rural initiatives.
Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU, Czechia)
With a strong foundation in precision agriculture and digital technologies, CZU’s Faculty of Economics and Management provides key insights and tools for Smart Skills. CZU is preparing to host the upcoming transnational project meeting and contributes to Work Package 2 by sharing best practices and developing a literature review to guide module topics.
Featured Researchers: Pavel Šimek and Eva Kanska, experts in data analysis, ICT, and precision farming.
European E-learning Institute (EUEI, Denmark)
EUEI leads in digital education, specialising in interactive and inclusive e-learning experiences. Their expertise supports the development of the digital learning platform for Smart Skills, including hosting the final Good Practice Guide and ensuring accessibility across all resources. EUEI is also managing the project’s social media presence and website to increase visibility.
Core Team: Canice Hamill, Instructional Designer, and Kathy Kelly, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, who focus on inclusive and innovative e-learning solutions.
Moving Forward
Together, our partners are building a powerful resource for digital agriculture, combining cutting-edge research with practical, hands-on training for VET learners. Each partner plays a pivotal role, ensuring that Smart Skills remains an impactful project for sustainable farming and rural development across Europe.
Follow our journey as we create innovative solutions that empower rural communities and shape the future of agriculture through digital skills and sustainable practices.
Stay tuned on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates on our journey to make agriculture smarter and more sustainable!