PROJECT PARTNERS
The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) partnership was created through the shared commitment of four European institutions — from France, Turkey, Germany, and Bulgaria — to address the growing impact of climate change on agriculture and to modernize vocational training in this field.
The consortium was initiated by MFR Lesneven (France), an experienced agricultural training center with a long history of international cooperation under Erasmus+. Drawing on previous collaborations and professional networks in agricultural education, MFR Lesneven invited three complementary partners to join forces in a small-scale partnership focusing on sustainability and innovation in VET.
Each partner brings specific expertise: DEULA-Nienburg (Germany) contributes advanced know-how in mechanization, water management, and precision farming; Fatma Aliye Vocational and Technical High School (Turkey) provides strong experience in greenhouse cultivation and environmental education for young learners; and the Vocational High School of Agriculture “Nikola Pushkarov” (Bulgaria) adds its long-standing background in agroecology and rural development.
Together, the partners represent a balanced blend of formal education, practical training, and field-based innovation. The consortium was designed to ensure geographical diversity, complementary competences, and shared European values — allowing participants to co-create meaningful educational resources and promote Climate Smart Agriculture across different contexts in Europe.
The partnership was formally established during preparatory online meetings in 2024, followed by the submission of the Erasmus+ KA210-VET project application (2024-2-FR01-KA210-VET-000280148) under the coordination of MFR Lesneven. Since the project’s approval, the partners have worked closely to design activities, develop learning materials, and ensure that the CSA initiative delivers long-lasting benefits to vocational teachers, students, and local agricultural communities.
About the partners
1- MFR LESNEVEN
FRANCE
MFR Lesneven (Maison Familiale Rurale de Lesneven) is a vocational training center located in the Brittany region of France. It operates within the national MFR network, which specializes in alternating education — a dual system combining classroom learning and professional practice in real agricultural environments. For over 60 years, MFR Lesneven has been committed to training young people and adults in fields such as agriculture, animal husbandry, rural development, and environmental sustainability.
The institution promotes experiential learning through close cooperation with local farms and enterprises, ensuring that its students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Its educational model places strong emphasis on community engagement, entrepreneurship, and sustainable rural life.
As the coordinator of the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project, MFR Lesneven plays a central role in overall project management, quality assurance, and communication among partners. The French team leads the first international training activity, “Cultivating Climate Resilience: From Ocean to Farm,” which focuses on linking ocean and land ecosystems, sustainable resource management, and innovative farming practices.
MFR Lesneven also oversees the integration of project outcomes into the broader MFR network across France, supporting the dissemination of Climate Smart Agriculture concepts within vocational education at both regional and national levels. Through its strong institutional experience, pedagogical expertise, and environmental commitment, MFR Lesneven ensures the CSA project achieves both educational and ecological impact.
2- DEULA-NIENBURG GmbH
GERMANY
DEULA-Nienburg GmbH is one of Germany’s leading agricultural and technical training centers, located in Lower Saxony. Established more than 90 years ago, DEULA provides high-quality practical and technological education for students, professionals, and trainers in the fields of agricultural mechanization, water and soil management, renewable energy, and precision farming.
The institution combines modern infrastructure — including digital labs, smart farming simulators, and experimental fields — with expert instructors who have extensive industry experience. DEULA is renowned for its hands-on training philosophy, where learners apply theoretical knowledge directly to real machines, tools, and agricultural systems.
Within the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project, DEULA-Nienburg serves as the lead partner for Activity 2: “Sustainable Water Management.” The German team organizes a five-day international training event in conjunction with the AGRITECHNICA Fair in Hannover, one of the world’s most important exhibitions for agricultural innovation. The activity focuses on efficient irrigation systems, sensor technologies, digital monitoring, and climate-resilient water use.
Beyond this key role, DEULA supports the project by sharing its expertise in AI-based decision-making tools, data-driven farm management, and sustainable mechanization practices. Its involvement ensures that CSA participants gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of European agriculture.
Through its long-standing experience in European cooperation and its commitment to sustainability, DEULA-Nienburg contributes to the project’s mission of equipping vocational education and training (VET) institutions with the skills and tools needed for a smarter, greener agricultural sector.
3- FATMA ALIYE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
TÜRKİYE
Fatma Aliye Vocational and Technical High School (Fatma Aliye MTAL) is a public vocational education institution located in Mezitli, Mersin, a coastal region in southern Turkey known for its rich agricultural production and greenhouse farming. The school provides training in various vocational fields, with a strong emphasis on agriculture, food processing, and environmental studies. It is recognized for combining classroom instruction with field practice, allowing students to develop both technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Fatma Aliye MTAL has established modern agricultural laboratories, experimental greenhouses, and local cooperation networks that connect students with farmers, cooperatives, and research centers. The school’s agricultural department focuses on climate-friendly farming practices, sustainable food systems, and digital transformation in agriculture. It has also participated in multiple Erasmus+ projects on topics such as Agriculture 4.0, renewable energy, and recycling, which have significantly strengthened its international cooperation capacity.
Within the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project, Fatma Aliye MTAL leads Activity 4: “Climate Change vs Greenhouse Farming.” This five-day training event in Mersin focuses on innovative greenhouse technologies, hydroponic and vertical farming, automation systems, and energy-efficient production models. The school hosts both teachers and students from partner institutions, facilitating cross-learning between European and Turkish participants.
Beyond its hosting role, the Turkish partner contributes to the digitalization and communication aspects of the project, including web design, visual documentation, and the creation of educational materials for the CSA Toolkit for VET. Through its strong connection with the local agricultural community, Fatma Aliye MTAL ensures that the project’s results reach farmers, students, and teachers at the regional level — supporting the transition toward a more climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in Turkey and Europe.
4- VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE "NIKOLA PUSHKAROV"
BULGARIA
The Vocational High School of Agriculture “Nikola Pushkarov” is a well-established vocational education and training (VET) institution located in Popovo, Bulgaria. With a long tradition in agricultural sciences, plant production, and environmental management, the school provides education that combines theory with extensive hands-on training in its own experimental fields and greenhouses. It is widely recognized for promoting eco-friendly and sustainable farming practices, and for its active participation in European educational projects.
The school’s mission is to prepare young people for modern careers in agriculture by equipping them with both traditional know-how and contemporary digital skills. As part of Bulgaria’s “Eco-Schools” network, it integrates environmental education and sustainability into its curriculum. Students at “Nikola Pushkarov” are trained in agroecology, plant protection, soil conservation, and smart irrigation systems, while teachers continuously update their competences through international partnerships.
Within the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project, “Nikola Pushkarov” leads two major activities:
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Activity 3 – Climate Smart Tools for Green Future, a three-month development phase focusing on the creation of the CSA Sourcebook for VET, including case studies, infographics, podcasts, and digital lesson plans for teachers.
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Activity 5 – CSA Toolkit for VET: Local Adaptation & Community Engagement, the final phase of the project, which delivers an open-access toolkit, multimedia training materials, and community-based dissemination events.
Through these activities, the Bulgarian partner plays a crucial role in content creation, evaluation, and dissemination. Its teachers and students actively contribute to testing and adapting educational tools to real agricultural settings.
By combining academic knowledge, environmental awareness, and innovative teaching methods, the Vocational High School of Agriculture “Nikola Pushkarov” ensures that the CSA project’s outcomes are practical, accessible, and impactful for both educators and learners across Europe.
