About the Project
SEEDS (Sowing agroEcological education in the VET sector) is a European initiative that brings together organizations from Europe and the Western Balkans to support the integration of agroecology into education and training systems.
As food systems face increasing environmental, social and economic challenges, education has a key role to play in helping learners understand their complexity and explore pathways towards more sustainable, inclusive and locally rooted food systems. Despite the growing relevance of agroecology, opportunities to learn about it in a structured way remain limited in many educational contexts. SEEDS was throught to help address this gap.
Why agroecology?
Agroecology is increasingly recognised as a key approach to rethink food systems in a more sustainable and fair way.
Rather than promoting standardised models or single solutions, agroecology proposes a holistic understanding of food systems, connecting agriculture, ecosystems, local knowledge, communities and governance, while valuing the diversity of territories and recognising the need for context-based solutions.
This perspective encompasses environmental, socio-cultural, economic and political dimensions, recognising that food systems are shaped not only by agricultural practices, but also by markets, institutions, knowledge systems and collective action.
A key reference for this perspective is the 13 principles of agroecology defined by the HLPE of the Committee on World Food Security (2019).
For education, this means supporting learning processes that connect theory and practice, while helping learners understand the complexity of food systems and the role they can play in shaping their future.
The SEEDS approach
SEEDS supports the integration of agroecology into education by supporting teachers and educators as key actors in promoting agroecological learning.
The project combines teacher training, curriculum development and practical learning activities. Starting from a shared understanding of agroecology and its different dimensions, educators are supported in adapting learning content to their own context and educational needs.
Recognising that agroecology is rooted in specific territories and communities, SEEDS promotes the development of curricula that reflect local priorities and realities. Through the SEEDS Lab, teachers engage in dialogue with farmers and other local stakeholders to identify relevant topics and strengthen the connection between education and local food systems.
The resulting learning pathways are then tested through classroom activities and practical agroecological initiatives, allowing students to explore agroecology in action.
SEEDS objectives
In conclusion, SEEDS aims to: