Team building for Green Organizational Behavior in Rural Areas

"<< Background >>The application for TB-GOBRA arose from a clear ""GAP"" in vocational education: the absence of structured team-building methodologies designed to impact green organisational behaviour in rural areas. VET learners, SMEs, and professionals in agri-food production, sustainable crafts, and Sustainable cooking in gastronomy lacked tools to simultaneously develop environmental awareness and collaborative soft skills. Existing training models focused on technical competencies but overlooked sustainability and group dynamics. The project addressed this by designing and validating a hands-on, problem-based learning approach rooted in rural realities. The need to strengthen cooperation between VET schools/centres and rural SMEs was also evident, particularly in remote regions. By integrating green skill development with teamwork strategies, TB-GOBRA responded directly to Erasmus+ priorities on climate action, rural development, and VET innovation.Overall approach to create a more sustainable impactful team building exercises to be incorporated within the operators in rural areas such as agritourisms, farms, local SMEs and VET educators to highlight the importance of the team coherency and harmony.<< Objectives >>The main objective was to develop and validate an innovative, replicable methodology that uses team-building exercises to strengthen green organisational behaviour in rural vocational contexts existing in remote areas. The project aimed to equip VET learners, trainers, and rural professionals with practical tools to enhance soft skills such as collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving, while incorporating ecological awareness and sustainable practices. We aimed to create synergy between VET centres and rural SMEs/operators by delivering context-based training modules in agrifood production, sustainable cooking, and crafts. By piloting these modules and publishing the results in a comprehensive manual, the project also aimed to contribute to long-term sustainability, improve the attractiveness of rural VET, and support the green transition through non-formal learning approaches.TB-GOBRA also aimed to educate generally over the science behind the team building from a psychological perspective. Therefore, not only planned the chapter in the manual for the specific theoretical background, also, involved skilled expertise of PhD and majored psychologists into the manual creation for hand on practice and legitimacy of the content.<< Implementation >>The project implemented six core activities. A1. A transnational coordination meeting in (Foggia, Altamura and Bari) in one visit to defined the roles, timelines, and communication procedures. A2. Partners collaborated to develop the TB-GOBRA methodology and manual, structured around the science behind team building, agri-food production, sustainable cooking, and sustainable craft.A3. The piloting event took place at the University of Lapland with 26 participants. It involved structured workshops applying the methodology in real learning contexts. A4. Data collection included pre- and post-training assessments, observational research, and reflective essays. Three thematic videos were produced to complement the manual and support training replication. A5. A final evaluation and dissemination meeting took place in Bonn. A6. Dissemination activities targeted VET institutions, rural SMEs, universities, and local networks in each partner country. The methodology and manual were published and made accessible through the University of Lapland’s open library system, in addition it will be available on the project website for the next 5 years as a start plus manual embedded in EUth Wonders e.V. website forever, also, EPALE.<< Results >>The project produced four main outputs:- First, the TB-GOBRA manual, publicly available via the University of Lapland library, structured into four chapters: the science behind team building, green agri-food production, sustainable cooking, and sustainable craft. - Second, a complete piloting process was implemented at the University of Lapland with 26 participants. It generated impact data through assessments, facilitator observations, and 17 participant essays. - Third, three educational videos were developed to illustrate the methodology in action, covering each training domain in a high quality showing engagement and participation of the involved participants. - Fourth, an impact study report was compiled, presenting both qualitative and quantitative evidence of increased teamwork, environmental awareness, and green skills. Additional results include increased institutional capacity among partners, new synergies between VET centres and rural SMEs, and the creation of a replicable model for future application in other regions. All results were disseminated at local, national, and EU levels, in various events the university of lapland has disseminated the concept of TB GOBRA, also EUW showcased the manual in three cities."