This action supports physical and blended mobility of higher education students and staff from/to third countries not associated to Erasmus+. Students in all study fields and cycles can take part in a study period or traineeship abroad. Higher education teaching and administrative staff can take part in professional development activities abroad, as well as staff from the field of work in order to teach and train students or staff at higher education institutions.

The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) was granted the Erasmus+ ICM project number 2018-1-HU01-KA107-047426 prior to its institutional integration, change of its maintenance model and name change, under the name of Szent István University. Following the institution's previous strategy of internationalisation, MATE has given priority to international cooperation, cross-border activities, extending its contacts outside Europe and participating in various scholarship programmes of various support. In order to strengthen cooperation outside Europe, in particular with regard to student mobility, MATE has been applying for the International Credit Mobility Programme since its launch. As a result, in 2019 and 2020 MATE was the most successful institution among Hungarian higher education institutions in terms of the amount of funding awarded and the number of mobilities. The experience gained from our previous credit mobility projects helped us in the implementation of our 2018 project: from an organisational point of view, it is important that MATE has been employing a coordinator exclusively for the implementation of credit mobility projects since 2017. From an internationalisation perspective, the 3rd International Week was our highlight event in 2019, which aimed to stimulate the University's international relations outside Europe and share internationalisation good practices. 80% of the foreign participants came from our credit mobility partner universities. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 pandemic, we had to postpone the 4th International Week that we planned with a similar number of participants for April 2020 and have not been able to organise it until the project close date. Since March 2020, outbound mobility in Hungary has been almost completely stopped due to the pandemic, inbound mobility was limited and complicated entry procedures were required, which lasted until the project close date. Thus, the one-year project extension helped the implementation to a smaller extent than we had hoped. We consider the 65% utilization of the project budget to be appropriate under the given circumstances, especially as we could increase the number of incoming students and staff compared to the original numbers. Our originally awarded 2018 project with 17 institutions from 12 countries allocated a total of €453 925 in individual and travel allowances (excluding OS) for 174 mobility quotas. MATE implemented 106 mobilities (+11 force majeure cases) with 16 partner institutions in 12 countries, using a total of €351 541, as follows: mobilities implemented and original quotas in brackets: 53 (47) incoming and 4 (6) outgoing SMS, 9 (42) incoming and 3 + 1 force majeure (35) outgoing STA, 27 + 3 force majeure (25) incoming and 10 +7 force majeure (19) STT. Due to the pandemic online education was introduced and 4th international week was cancelled, which affected the number of teaching mobilities the most, and part of which was reallocated to incoming student mobilities, thus increasing SMSs by 6. Incoming staff mobilities were increased by 2 despite the postponements and closures, with the involvement of two new partner institutions. The reason for the low number of outgoing STAs and STTs was the strict university travel regulations, which were lessened only from June 2021. The largest number of mobilities, which exceeded the planned number by 4, was carried out with our 2 Serbian partners. The number of mobilities implemented around the initially planned numbers was carried out with our partners from the US, Dominica, Moldova, Bhutan and Jordan. With Fiji and Argentina, we achieved 50% and 60% implementation rate, in these cases the exotic nature of the countries and the distance made the situation more difficult. In case of Syria, we had only incoming students and we increased this number by 3. The cooperation with our new Moroccan partner started promisingly, we increased the f incoming SMSs by 1, but the staff mobilities could not been implemented due to the cancelled events and travel restrictions. For the same reasons, the number of mobilities for our projects in Iraq and Tunisia also dropped significantly. The representatives of several disciplines and working groups at MATE have been involved in the implementation of the project, which broadens the basis for further cooperation. Thanks to the project, we could achieve the opening set out in our internationalisation strategy: new joint teaching and research projects have been developed and student mobility increased significantly. MATE also hosts Stipendium Hungaricum scholars from most of the partner countries involved in ICM projects, so we have also promoted the SH programme during the mobilities, giving interested parties first-hand information about our training portfolio and research topics. A further common objective, beyond the project period, is to apply for other EU funding for joint training and research with our ICM partners.

This is a higher education student and staff mobility project, please consult the website of the organisation to obtain additional details.

<< Background >>Nature-based Solutions contribute positively to the European Green Deal, by enhancing biodiversity and supporting the delivery of a range of ecosystem services, such as Green Care services, including horticultural therapy. Horticultural therapy is a valuable, effective and environmentally sustainable way for the primary or complementary treatment of several mental illnesses and psychiatric conditions, including addiction, depression, autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and proved to be valuable in physical rehabilitation as well. Mental health problems are affecting more and more people in Europe, creating a barrier for people to access work and study, and lead a fulfilling life. By addressing the problem of health issues, our project operates towards the inclusion of disadvantaged people. In addition to that, horticultural therapy can provide stress release and burnout prevention for healthcare and social professionals, that signifies an added valued especially in these years of the pandemic. The potential of horticultural therapy is more and more recognized in Europe, although in this respect there are substantial differences between countries. In Austria and Italy horticultural therapy is widely used and acknowledged, with vocational and higher education possibilities in this field. In Hungary the practice of horticultural therapy has already started in several healthcare and social institutions, but there aren’t any specific horticultural therapy trainings or Hungarian language handbooks available. In Romania even the concept of horticultural therapy is scarcely known, with a very few institutions in the phase of introducing this method in practice. A comprehensive needs assessment survey conducted in Hungary and Romania showed a wide interest among healthcare and social professionals and institutions to learn about and introduce horticultural therapy into their practice.The Hortus Medicus project wants to address this situation by creating a horticultural therapy curriculum and related educational materials for Hungary and Romania, while further enriching existing curricula with impact measurement methodology and e-learning content in Austria and in Italy.The project involves partners from the above mentioned four countries: Austria, Italy, Hungary and Romania.<< Objectives >>The Hortus Medicus project aims to spread the recognition and the use of horticultural therapy in Hungary and Romania, to introduce a horticultural therapy training and related education materials in these countries, while enriching existing horticultural therapy curricula with impact measurement methodology and e-learning content in Austria and in Italy. These trainings will enable healthcare and social professionals with the necessary knowledge to introduce and apply horticultural therapy in their daily practice, thereby helping the effectiveness of their work with clients. Horticultural therapy skills will also empower these professionals with a useful burnout prevention methodology. Agricultural professionals, farmers can introduce horticultural therapy as a new function to their multifunctional farm. On the long run our project aims to help addressing the barriers arising from physical and mental health issues, to foster the inclusion of disadvantaged people who are affected by mental and physical health problems.The aim of the Hortus Medicus project is to create a comprehensive 120-hour horticultural therapy training with related educational materials and e-learning content, by developing a horticultural therapy curriculum, a horticultural therapy handbook, adapting existing and creating new educational resources in the field of horticultural therapy, compiling impact measurement recommendations and e-learning content. Our goal is to create an innovative training that can be provided in the traditional way of contact teaching or in the form of a blended learning, with theoretical parts in e-learning format.The created curriculum and education tools can also be transferred to higher education curricula, in the field of medical, social and agricultural studies as well.<< Implementation >>During our project the partners are going to create a 120-hour Horticultural therapy training curriculum together with a related Methodological guide for trainers. The curriculum will cover the following topics: basics of horticultural therapy, botany & garden maintenance, design and ecology of horticultural therapy gardens, target group-specific therapeutic methodology, impact measurement options in horticultural therapy. We will compile a Horticultural therapy handbook based on current knowledge available on the subject. An Impact measurement methodology recommendation will also be assembled in order to provide practical tools for professionals for assessing the efficiency of horticultural therapy sessions and processes. Digital content will be developed for a 40-hour e-learning training, covering the theoretical parts of the Horticultural therapy training curriculum, in order to make it possible to realize the training also in the form of blended learning. The work will be implemented in working groups for the different modules of the curricula, the methodology guide and the e-learning, the different chapters of the handbook, for the Impact measurement methodology, on the basis of Action plans jointly assembled and agreed upon. Continuous cooperation based on digital tools will be carried out.In order to achieve our goals, we plan effective and flexible project management, together with quality management ensuring the excellent quality of project results, the timely and efficient implementation of the project. The quality and usability of project results will be tested in pilot trainings in Hungary and Romania. During our project 6 international project meetings will be organized, with online project management meetings in every second month. To promote and share project results with stakeholders, 16 multiplier events will be organized, and diverse dissemination activities will be carried out, reaching local, regional and national audiences.<< Results >>We are planning to develop five project results: R1. Curriculum of Horticultural therapy training, a 120-hour curriculum R2. Horticultural therapy handbook, R3. Impact measurement methodology recommendation, R.4.Methodological guide for trainers, R.5. Digital content development for the Horticultural therapy assistant training, with 40 hours of e-learning. As a result of the project, healthcare and social professionals will have access to an ecologically sustainable and cost-effective tool that can be used with different vulnerable target groups. Farmers, who will provide on-site horticultural therapy location, will have the opportunity to stabilize their incomes by diversifying their activities.We also expect that as a result of our project, horticultural therapy will be more generally known, recognized and used. Institutions that did not apply horticultural therapy will become acquainted, recognize and introduce horticultural therapy into their practice. Institutions that already use gardening will gain a more professional insight and organize more efficient horticultural therapy sessions for their clients. Farmers who want to expand their multifunctional farming activities can introduce horticultural therapy into their activities. On the long run, many people experiencing health problems will have access a sustainable, nature-based way of treatment that can help their recovery and reintegration.

"Allover Europe, more and more institutions are suffering due to ""growing mismatch"" with labor market. Labor markets are rapidly changing, due to technological advancement, greening, and ageing workforce. Higher education institutions have the responsibility to reduce this gap and prepare the young generations and foster their employability and personal development.On the other hand, Europe is constantly putting efforts in adapting its policies, strategies and actions to build a safer future for EU citizens. The European Green Deal is a set of policy initiatives brought forward by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral in 2050, by introducing new legislation on the circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming and innovation. In this context, a joint declaration of intent was signed on 24 February 2020 by 24 research organizations from 16 European countries aiming “Towards a Chemical Pesticide-free Agriculture”. This European Research Alliance aims to rethink the way research is carried out and develop new common research and experimentation strategies throughout whole Europe.Horticulture represents the main source of food and urban well-being, by cultivation, processing, and sale of vegetables, fruits, nuts, grapes and ornamental plants. It also provides many additional services, as plant conservation, landscape restoration, soil management, landscape and garden design, construction and maintenance, and arboriculture. Food security and nutrition cannot be conceived outside the field of horticulture and fruits and vegetable production are suffering the highest negative impact due to the use of pesticides. Therefore, the general objective of Hort4EUGreen is to train European higher education teaching and non-teaching staff and graduates by enhancing their practical skills in using modern technologies to become highly specialized in key areas related to Europe Green Deal, e.g. nutritional quality of food, pesticide analysis, sustainable production, biodiversity monitoring. The specific objectives of our project are common for all four members of the consortium. 1. Enhancing the skills and competences of teaching and non-teaching staff of the partner institutions to use new methods and protocols in the fields of analysis of food and agricultural products by participation in three training programs and four staff mobillities.2. Enhancing the skills and competences of the master students of the partner institutions to use new methods and protocols in the fields of analysis of food and agricultural products by participation in three training programs and two mobilities..3. Transform the master students and staff of higher education in true factors of change for the sustainability concept, by delivering three educational materials and one digital tool to be implemented in all participating institutions.4. Implementing a trans-disciplinary approach and innovative pedagogy in three Horticulture master courses by introducing a research-based learning module. This module that supports the acquisition of transferable, forward-looking skills, in the field of Horticulture will be realized through three innovative intellectual outputs to be used by staff of higher education acting in organic production and biodiversity fields.These objectives description of activities; methodology to be used in carrying out the project; a short description of the results and impact envisaged and finally the potential longer term benefits."