SAFE+

The planet is facing a crisis, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a top priority for governments worldwide. UN climate scientists have warned that we have less than a decade to act before the consequences of climate change become more frequent, severe, and irreversible. Unfortunately, the current global food crisis is being exacerbated by Russia's war against Ukraine, leaving 205 million people in urgent need of food assistance in 2022. Climate change and the war in Ukraine are impacting food production, putting the EU's food system in danger and making it unreliable. Ursula Van Der Leyen has called for the EU to unite to overcome these challenges and urged citizens to be aware of the situation. EU agriculture ministers have also emphasized that immediate action must be taken to address the food and climate crises.

Integrating vertical farming (VF) education into youth education is essential in addressing these challenges. Young people must be equipped with the necessary key competencies and skills through dedicated programs included in public education, involving policy-makers, researchers, universities, youth-led NGOs, and SMEs in the process. VF, a growing trend, relies on Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology, which enables humans to control the environment in which plants grow. VF education can help young people gain the necessary skills for sustainable food production, but there is currently a lack of educational concepts in this field.

To address this gap, the SAFE partnership aims to teach young people how to build a vertical farm and reinforce links between policy, research, and practice to improve more climate-friendly, sustainable, and youth-led agro-food policies in youth education. The partnership will develop a novel and digital education package, which is transnationally useful, interdisciplinary applicable, and scientifically funded, providing a country-specific, target group-oriented education on Vertical Farming (VF) for youth aged 18-30.

Objectives:

By implementing SAFE, we want lead young people, youth entities, policy makers, youth trainers and wider public to get to
know what Vertical Farming is, how it works, why we need to benefit from VF, how to engage in VF and why to engage in VF
for secure food production and fighting gains with climate change. We want to train young people in VF. And, we also want
to raise awareness the importance of Vertical Farming for food production and prevention of climate change.

Implementation:

We'll implement the following activities:
Translational Project Meeting 1.
Translational Project Meeting 2.
Translational Project Meeting 3.
Mobility of young people 1
Mobility of young people 2
2 Training Activities
2 Training Activities
2 Training Activities
2 Training Activities
2 Training Activities
2 Training Activities
6 virtual promotion conferences.
6 National Multiplier Events and 1 International Virtual conference under WP4

Expected Results:
Curriculum and Training Contents on Vertical Farm installation.
Documentary: Motivational Contents of leading young people in Vertical Farming Activism.
Policy Recommendation Report.
Impact study reports.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased song and green skills of young people in Vertical Farming.
Promoted the importance of VF for fighting against climate change and secure food production.
Raised awareness of the importance of VF.
Increased citizens knowledge on VF.