FUNGIPRENEURS - Inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas by environmental awareness and social entrepreneurship through mycology

<< Background >>FUNGIPRENEURS project was aimed at ensuring long-lasting effects on partner entities, on the policy systems and on persons and organisations directly or indirectly involved, promoting social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas through mycology by addressing the following needs:1. Update, improve and test innovative teaching and pedagogical methods addressed to social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas. 2. Improve their career opportunities through better recognition of professional skills.3. Find new opportunities for Social Inclusion in rural areas.4. Raise their environmental awareness, contributing to build the resilience of communities in rural areas.5. Identify good practices and tested solutions to support the social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas.6. Establish networks with complementary organisations interested in promoting social inclusion, social entrepreneurship and environmental awareness.7. Explore new approaches to promote social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas.8. Boost a culture of innovation and collaboration in their respective organisations. 9. Integrate digital technologies and capabilities in their daily activities and adult education programmes.<< Objectives >>The FUNGIPRENEURS project’s general objective was to support the social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas by raising environmental awareness of fungi’s ecological role and economic value, fostering green skills and sustainable entrepreneurship. This was achieved through specific objectives:SO1. Implement quality assurance mechanisms for project evaluation.SO2. Define key competences for adult educators on social inclusion and entrepreneurship via mycology, aligned with EU standards (ECVET).SO3. Develop ICT-based tools for virtual education, including interactive techniques for adult educators.SO4. Co-create digital tools using gamification to encourage behavioural change in rural education.SO5. Create practical exercises and tools for educators working with vulnerable rural populations.SO6. Pilot and adapt these tools through testing activities.SO7. Ensure wide dissemination and long-term sustainability of project outcomes.<< Implementation >>The following activities were implemented in the project:1. Development of the Theoretical Framework2. Definition of the structure of Learning Outcomes for the Training Curriculum3. Implementation of the Training Curriculum Final Assessment4. Planning and Technical development of the FUNGIPRENEURS e-Learning Platform and online course5. Implementation of the online course and testing by adult educators6. Planning, technical design and development of the FUNGIPRENEURS Training path for vulnerable groups in rural areas7. Planning and development of the Toolkit for Adult educators8. Pilot and testing of tools in Spain, Portugal, Austria, and Cyprus9. Final Assessment of the tools10. Implementation of the Dissemination Plan and Sustainability Strategy11. Organisation of the Launch TPM in Spain, Progress TPM in Ireland, Intermediate TPM in Portugal, Fourth TPM Austria and the Consortium Training Activity in Tenerife, Spain12. Organisation of the Final TPM and the International Multiplier Conference in Spain13. National Multiplier Conference in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Cyprus, and Ireland.<< Results >>The concrete main results of the project were:MR1. Quality Assurance Plan MR2. The ECVET Training Curriculum on social inclusion by environmental awareness and social entrepreneurship through mycologyMR3. The FUNGIPRENEURS e-Learning PlatformMR4. Online course on social inclusion by environmental awareness and social entrepreneurship through mycology.MR5. The FUNGIPRENEURS Training Path for vulnerable groups in rural areasMR6. Toolkit for adult educatorsMR7. Pilot trials in Spain, Portugal, Austria and CyprusMR8. Dissemination PlanMR9. Sustainability StrategyThe project also produced the following indirect outcomes.- Adult educators and vulnerable groups: environmental awareness raising, upskilling on sustainable and social entrepreneurship as well as increased motivation to learn.- Partners’ organizations: upskilling on the design of digital tools for education, and on cooperation for innovation at European level.- Stakeholders and collaborators: establishment of a community of practice on social inclusion by environmental awareness and Social Entrepreneurship through mycology.