ACE-EX—Agriculture Circular Economy – Expert
The Circular Economy Meets European Agriculture: training, certification, and innovation to develop the “Circular Economy Expert in Agriculture” and facilitate the agri-food sector’s transition to a sustainable and environmentally friendly production model.
Project Number
101110547
Funding Programme
Erasmus+ – Alliances for Innovation (KA2 Alliances for Innovation)
Duration
09/2023 – 08/2026 (36 months)
Partnership
20 organisations from 9 countries
Countries
Italy – Greece – Spain – Norway – Austria – Poland – Czech Republic – Ukraine – Belgium
European agriculture faces critical challenges: climate change, the need to protect biodiversity, and the requirement to fully utilize production byproducts. The current production model must be transformed into a more sustainable system, while the continuous updating of the skills of those working in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors is a prerequisite for keeping pace with rapid technological and climate-related developments.
The European ACE-EX project (Agriculture Circular Economy – Expert) contributes to this transformation by integrating the principles of the circular economy into agricultural production, in full alignment with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. At the heart of the project is the creation of a new professional profile: the “Expert in the Implementation of Circular Economy Processes in Agriculture” — a professional with interdisciplinary training, capable of guiding agricultural and processing businesses toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, with a particular emphasis on the wine, olive oil, and grain sectors.
The project is being implemented by a strong consortium of 20 organizations from 9 European countries, representing a total of more than 200,000 businesses, and is developing innovative tools that ensure the quality of training, as well as the recognition and portability of qualifications across all EU member states. The Fthiotida Chamber of Commerce is actively participating in the consortium, bringing the project’s tools and results to businesses and professionals in our region.
Objectives
What the project aims to achieve
The overall objective of ACE-EX is to support the transition of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors to the circular economy, in line with the guidelines of the European Green Deal for sustainable development, by actively contributing to the fight against climate change and facilitating the transition to “green” chemistry through the utilization of agricultural waste, residues, and byproducts. Specifically, the project aims to:
- To upgrade the skill levels of professionals in agriculture and processing — particularly in the olive oil, wine, and grain sectors — through advanced training in the utilization of production waste and surpluses, using an interdisciplinary educational program that includes modules based on virtual reality.
- To create an open-access, flexible learning pathway with certification options at EQF Levels 4 and 5, available online to professionals in at least nine countries, with the prospect of expansion up to EQF Level 6.
- To implement a methodology that allows for the recognition of professionals’ prior learning, ensuring coordination with national qualification certification bodies.
- To certify professionals specialized in applying the principles of the Circular Economy in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, enhancing skills that increase employability and deliver tangible benefits to businesses.
Expected Results
What the project delivers
- Report on Circular Economy Practices: mapping of existing practices and needs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors in the partner countries and a critical assessment of the current educational offerings.
- Matrix of Qualifications: two competency matrices — at EQF Levels 4 and 5 — describing the professional profile of the “Circular Economy Expert in Agriculture.”
- Training program: a structured training program of over 1,100 hours, available in English and in the languages of the partner countries, including Greek.
- “ACE Farm Expert” Serious Game: an educational game with simulations and virtual reality elements, available at acefarmexpert.eu.
- MOOC Platform: massive open online courses with micro-credentials in multiple languages, including Greek — skillscourses.eu/ace-ex.
- ACE-EX Certification: official recognition of the successful completion of the training program.
- ACE Brand: a sustainability label that companies implementing Circular Economy processes through the ACE-EX training program can adopt as a benchmark for sustainable practices.
- Sustainability Plan: a strategy ensuring the institutional, financial, and communication continuity of the project’s tools and partner network after European funding ends.
Who is it for?
Project beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries
Students and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) · professionals in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors · entrepreneurs, apprentices, and skilled workers.
Indirect beneficiaries
Sectoral and professional organizations · public bodies · schools and training centers · civil society organizations · society at large.
Project Progress
Key implementation milestones
Project launch and kick-off meeting in Bergamo
September 2023Research and report on Circular Economy practices
March 2024Competency framework for the “Expert in the Implementation of Circular Economy Processes in Agriculture”
November 2024Development of a training program at EQF Levels 4 and 5
Feb – Apr 2025“ACE Farm Expert” serious game and virtual reality (VR) simulation
Mar – May 2025MOOC platform and pilot implementation of the training modules
Mar 2025 – Mar 2026Sustainability Plan and ACE-EX Certification
Jun 2025 – Feb 2026Final conference in Brussels and project completion
Jun – Aug 2026Partners
A total of 20 organizations from 9 countries
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The European Union and the EACEA cannot be held responsible for the views expressed. Project number: 101110547
