Project Overview

The Sustainakit  project (Project ID: 2024-1-SK01-KA220-VET-000243313) is a forward-thinking Erasmus+ initiative aimed at promoting sustainability within vocational education and training (VET). It focuses specifically on embedding sustainable practices in the culinary arts, encouraging zero-kilometer (KM0) consumption, and reducing food waste. The project brings together a diverse partnership of organizations from Slovakia, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy to develop and implement innovative educational tools for both students and teachers in the VET sector.

The Partnership

The Sustainakit  consortium is composed of seven organizations from five European countries, each contributing unique expertise to the project:

1. TOPCOACH SRO (Slovakia) – Project coordinator with expertise in soft skills education and project management.
2. VALENCIA CULINARY CENTER S.L. (Spain) – A vocational training institution specializing in culinary arts and sustainability practices.
3. ACADEMY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASTIKI ETAIREIA (Greece) – Focuses on entrepreneurship and non-formal education, including sustainability.
4. KM ZERO VENTURING S.L. (Spain) – A hub for innovation in sustainable food systems.
5. PA Partners for Skills Development (Cyprus) – Provides vocational training and promotes sustainable education methodologies.
6. ENGIM VENETO (Italy) – A VET institution with a strong focus on sustainability and vocational education.
7. Lula Consulting S.R.L. (Italy) – IT and digital solutions partner for project dissemination and resource accessibility.

This collaboration ensures a multidimensional approach, combining culinary expertise, sustainability advocacy, and digital innovation to achieve the project’s objectives​​.

The Project’s Goals

Sustainakit  aims to address the urgent need for sustainability education in VET, particularly in culinary training. The project’s primary goals include:

1. Raising Awareness: Increase understanding of sustainability issues, including food waste, responsible consumption, and the benefits of KM0 products.
2. Developing Resources: Create a multilingual handbook and interactive toolkit for VET students and trainers, covering sustainability principles, waste reduction techniques, and energy-efficient culinary practices.
3. Practical Application: Pilot these resources in real-world educational settings, collecting feedback to refine and optimize the tools.

Promoting EU Sustainability Goals: Align with broader European policies such as the Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy to ensure the content reflects EU priorities​​.

Release of Project Findings

To maximize its impact, the project will share its findings and resources widely through various channels:

1. Handbook and Toolkit: These will be developed in five languages (English, Slovak, Italian, Greek, and Spanish) to ensure accessibility across partner countries.
2. Website and Digital Platforms: A project website will serve as a central hub for resources, updates, and educational content.
3. Stakeholder Engagement: Workshops, reports, and recommendations will be shared with educators, policymakers, and sustainability advocates.
4. European Networks: Results will be disseminated via European platforms such as EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe) and the School Education Gateway​​.

Broader Impact

The Sustainakit  project is set to create lasting change by equipping students and educators with the knowledge and tools needed to embrace sustainability in their culinary practices. It will foster civic engagement and empower young people to adopt eco-friendly habits that align with the EU’s sustainability objectives. By integrating these principles into VET curricula, Sustainakit  aspires to shape a generation of professionals committed to sustainable development​​.