The Organic-PLUS project has the overall aim of providing high quality, trans-disciplinary, scientifically informed decision support to help all actors in the organic sector, including national and regional policy makers, to reach the next level of the EU’s organic success story. By doing so organic food systems can be more true to organic principles but equally to the EU Bioeconomy agenda. Organic-PLUS objectives are to: 1) identify and valorise contentious inputs currently used in European agriculture 2) provide specific technical solutions to minimise or phase-out their use 3) provide environmental, social and economic assessments of phase-out scenarios 4) disseminate and broker knowledge, ideas and results to maximise impact. We use a trans-disciplinary research approach; the consortium includes 11 universities and 15 multi-actors from 9 EU and 3 associated countries. We combine scientists from many academic disciplines with advisors, farmers and other stakeholders in participatory research design. Organic-PLUS has three large ‘topical’ workpackages called PLANT (researching alternatives to copper and mineral oils), LIVESTOCK (researching alternatives to synthetic vitamins, antibiotics and novel animal bedding) and SOIL (researching alternatives to peat, animal-derived fertilisers and plastic mulch). The topical work is supported by IMPACT (researching consumer conceptions of contentious inputs and disseminating knowledge together with stakeholders) and by MODEL (using sustainability assessment methodology to deliver phasing-out scenarios). The LEAD workpackage is also responsible for managing the International Scientific and the European Industry advisory boards ensuring impact to industry and policy development. The results of the project are disseminated through peer-reviewed and farmer-facing publications, social media, on-farm events and international conferences and we will also ensure impact through citizen juries and engagement with policy makers.

1. To create a shared awareness of emerging job profiles and existing gaps of skills and competences in the current work force.2. to create and improve a framework “Pathways for Agricultural Competence and skills based Training” (PACT) based on EQF and ECVET, which will allow the sharing of definitions among different actors involved, i.e. agricultural VET providers, SMEs, Research Institutions, NGOs and VET policy makers, and serve as a tool to modularise future training and make it more adaptable to the needs of the agricultural labour market.3. Training Modules: 3.1. Organic Farming Training Module 3.2. Organic Food Processing Training Module 3.3. Accessing to the Market Training Module4. to better recognize existing training opportunities which already address existing skills gaps in the agricultural sector, and make them more visible on a European level as well as to show-case and encourage VET providers who have already modularised their agricultural training to integrate elements into new training units.5. To give the Farmers a new skill on Organic Farming & Food Processing Technologies by a new Curricula in VET. 5.1. Organic Farming Curricula 5.2. Organic Food Processing Technologies Curricula6. To improve the life standards of Farmers by providing a channel to sell the Organic products by E-Commerce Platform7. Marketing Opportunities Report8. Need Assessment on Organic Farming 9. E-Platform for Training Modules10. Video Clips for Training Modules11. 2021 New EU Organic Agriculture Regulation Report & Book for VET teachers12. Multiplier Events in 4 Countries: 12.1. Ankara for 50 participants 12.2. Malatya for 40 participants 12.3. Bursa for 40 participants 12.4. Athens for 40 participants 12.5. Arad for 40 participants 12.6. Bari for 40 participants13. Organic Farming and Organic Food Processing Techniques Book, 1000 pcs for VET Learners14. Posters 1500 pcs. and Flyers 2500 pcs.15. Study Visit to Italy for the Staff of Turkish project partners16. Training implementation in: 16.1. Adiyaman Public Training Center 16.2. Nilufer Public Training Center 16.3. Athens in Greece 16.4. Arad in RomaniaThere are 5 Transnational Meetings in the project.1.Kick-Off Meeting in Kirikkale University, October 20192.Second Transnational Meeting in Bari-Italy, May 20203.Third Transnational Meeting in Athens-Greece, November 20204.Fourth Transnational Meeting in Arad-Romania, March 20215.Closing Meeting in Kirikkale-Turkey, August 2021

The objective of SCALE-it is to increase the availability, accessibility and adoption of cost-effective alternatives to contentious inputs and thus reduce the dependency of organic farming on (a) critical plant protection products, (b) manure from conventional farms, (c) antibiotics and anthelmintics, and (d) synthetic and GMO derived vitamins. SCALE-it follows a multi-actor approach involving partners from the whole organic value chain (farmers, farmers' associations, advisors, veterinarians, researchers, industry, consumers). It builds on previous projects and takes forward most alternatives (products, tools, holistic methods) to TRL7-9. Less advanced alternatives are developed further by (i) reviewing information and (ii) testing experimentally before including them in demonstration trials under organic conditions. Local Ambassadors with an outstanding outreach capacity in the organic farming community lead over 65 trials across Europe, organising local dissemination events, and generating novel data for the environmental and economic impact assessments. SCALE-it supports companies to establish roadmaps for upscaling alternatives, registration and IP protection. Farmers’ and consumers’ acceptance of alternatives is analysed. SCALE-it is well placed to moderate the development of implementable rules on the use of inputs in organic farming and provide support to policy development via national and international multi-actor activities. Targeted dissemination materials and training packages will be developed. SCALE-it results will reduce the use of contentious inputs and increase the use of their alternatives in organic (and non-organic) production by (a) increasing the availability and knowledge on best use of alternatives, (b) creating decision making and (c) advisory tools and (d) showcasing the alternatives. It supports the transition to sustainable farming systems in line with the F2F strategy, promoting fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems.