As part of the Erasmus+ KA3 AgriNext project, teachers from IES Galileo Galilei (Córdoba) recently participated in an international training experience held in Croatia, focused on multifunctional agriculture as a driver of rural transformation. This mobility, organized as a BIP (Blended Intensive Programme), brought together educators and students from various European countries around a common goal: analyzing how agriculture, through a sustainable and inclusive lens, can help revitalize rural areas at risk of depopulation.

The IES Galileo Galilei delegation was composed of teachers from the Agrarian and Sociocultural Services and Community Departments, as well as members of the Erasmus+ Internationalization team, reinforcing the interdisciplinary and international nature of these initiatives. Collaboration between departments has been essential to addressing rural challenges from educational, productive, social, and environmental perspectives.part of the Erasmus+ KA3 AgriNext project, teachers from IES Galileo Galilei (Córdoba) .

 

 

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AGRINEXT: AGRICULTURE FOR RURAL SOCIAL INNOVATION

The AgriNext project, within the Erasmus+ KA3 action, promotes a broad view of agriculture: not only as a productive activity, but also as a tool for community development, social inclusion, and educational innovation. Coordinated by organizations from various European countries, AgriNext focuses on creating knowledge, resources, and networks around multifunctional agriculture adapted to the contemporary needs of rural Europe.

IES Galileo Galilei actively participates in this initiative as part of its commitment to the internationalization of Vocational Education and Training, contributing with its experience in agro-environmental education and social intervention. Through AgriNext, the school reinforces its goal of training future professionals capable of leading rural change from a sustainable, inclusive, and entrepreneurial perspective.

 

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ORGANIC FARMING, SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL REVITALIZATION

During their stay in Croatia, the IES Galileo Galilei team visited various family farms that combine organic production with local development strategies. Visits included dairy farms, artisanal cheese producers, and wineries that exemplify a model of sustainable agriculture that generates employment, supports local products, and strengthens rural identity.

Many of these initiatives are run as cooperatives or family businesses and are also involved in wine tourism, environmental education, and community engagement—fully aligned with AgriNext’s multifunctional approach. These experiences highlight agriculture’s potential to respond effectively to challenges such as depopulation, youth unemployment, and the decline of public services in rural areas.

The Agrarian Department valued direct engagement with real models of sustainable production, while the Sociocultural Department emphasized best practices in community participation, rural associations, and inclusive policy implementation.

 

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TOPICS COVERED AND SKILLS DEVELOPED

The topics explored during the BIP were diverse and interconnected, including:

• Organic farming systems, animal welfare, and circular economy
   
• Sustainable rural entrepreneurship
   
• Strengthening rural community networks
   
• Social policies and migrant integration
   
• Education for sustainability and active learning methodologies
   
• Creativity applied to rural social innovation
   

Activities included technical visits, group dynamics, discussions with local experts, and meetings with Croatian educational institutions, creating a rich, contextualized, and hands-on learning environment.

This experience strengthened key competencies in participating teachers such as international cooperation, a holistic understanding of rural life, and the ability to design impactful training projects.

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The experience in Croatia was highly valued by both the participating staff and the institution, not only for the educational quality of the program but also for the international partnerships established and the potential for transferring best practices.