ReVaCy in Action: Learning Modules for a More Sustainable Agricultural Future
The transition to more sustainable agriculture depends not only on policy, but also on education. Across Europe and in Slovenia, current agricultural frameworks increasingly highlight the importance of knowledge transfer, innovation, and practical learning. These priorities show that strengthening agricultural competences remains essential for supporting more resilient and future-oriented rural development. ReVaCy contributes to this shift by developing learning materials that help future farm managers, teachers, and practitioners better understand the circular economy and regional value cycles in agriculture. The project consortium is creating training materials, didactic resources, case studies, and open educational resources that introduce circular approaches in agriculture and demonstrate how regional value cycles can support viable business models and stronger rural communities. The project also places a strong emphasis on practical relevance. By exploring different agri-circular contexts and drawing on real-life examples, ReVaCy aims to provide learners with useful insights into topics such as resource efficiency, energy saving, and the development of new circular products and practices. In this way, the project brings sustainability concepts closer to everyday agricultural reality. By linking current policy priorities with concrete educational tools, ReVaCy helps turn sustainability goals into practical learning. This is one of the project’s key strengths: it does not only discuss change in agriculture, but actively prepares learners and practitioners to take part in it.
ReVaCy and the Growing Shift Towards Circular and Resilient Agriculture
Across Europe, agriculture is increasingly being discussed through the lens of resilience, resource efficiency and stronger territorial connections. The European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food, presented in February 2025, places food security, water, nature, competitiveness and generational renewal at the centre of the future agri-food system. In parallel, the Commission identifies water resilience as […]
Circular skills for the future
How can farmers acquire the skills needed to implement circular economy practices? A recent article, Strengthening AKIS for Sustainable Agricultural Features (Kountios et al., 2024), highlights that the transition towards more sustainable agriculture depends not only on technologies and policies, but also on knowledge, training, and advisory systems. The article focuses on Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), showing how […]
Innovative business models and rural development support to circular economy
Circular economy principles can translate into concrete economic opportunities for farmers by creating new sources of income, improving resource efficiency, and strengthening farm resilience. Across Italy, a growing number of agricultural enterprises are experimenting with innovative business models that combine environmental sustainability with income diversification, supported also by targeted interventions under the Regional Complement for Rural Development […]
Building with Wood Strengthens Regional Circular Economies and Climate Protection
The final report of the INTERREG IV project “Agricultural Construction within Regional Cycles” highlights the significant potential of using regional raw materials in agriculture. Focusing on agricultural buildings such as livestock housing, the report demonstrates how locally sourced timber as a renewable construction material can strengthen regional value chains, reduce transport distances and actively contribute to climate protection. Wood not only […]
New Impulses for Circular Bioeconomy in Germany’s Upland Regions
The publication “Value Creation through Bioeconomy” by the German Association for Landscape Management (DVL) highlights how agricultural and forestry enterprises in upland regions can unlock new economic opportunities through bioeconomy approaches. Focusing on renewable resources, regional value chains and innovative utilisation concepts, the publication demonstrates how ecological sustainability, economic viability and social value can be combined. Using practical examples from model farms across Germany, the […]
Healthy Soils as the Foundation for Climate Protection, Food Security and Economic Stability
In its latest recommendations, the Commission on Soil Protection at the German Environment Agency (KBU) makes it clear: without healthy soils, neither climate protection, food security nor long-term economic growth can be achieved. Soils play a crucial role as the basis for agricultural production, as major carbon stores, as habitats for biodiversity and as key elements of […]
Regionalisation as a Key Driver of Resilient Agricultural and Food Systems
In the face of global crises such as the pandemic, climate change and geopolitical conflicts, the regionalisation of agri-food systems is gaining increasing importance. The article by Andrea Winter and Brigitte Hilcher in the Critical Agricultural Report 2023 highlights how regional value chains can significantly contribute to resilience, sustainability and crisis preparedness. Short supply chains, regional cycles and strong rural–urban linkages make agriculture less vulnerable […]
Strengthening Regional Value Creation: Agriculture as a Key Driver of Circular Economy
How can regional value creation in agriculture be strengthened while contributing to sustainable development and resilient economic cycles? The document provides a conceptual overview of the role agriculture plays in building regional value chains and highlights how cooperation, shorter supply chains, and regional processing can unlock ecological and economic potential. The focus lies on linking […]
Digital Regional Marketplace Saarlouis: Strengthening Local Value Chains through Digital Innovation
How can regional value creation, sustainable business practices, and future-oriented local supply be combined effectively? The district of Saarlouis is addressing this question by developing a Digital Regional Marketplace. As part of the project “Konnekt”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the online platform “Rendezvous Saarlouis” is being established as a […]