Blended
Resilient & Sustainable EU Food system - East West connected
To seize the opportunity of food production of several Eastern European countries, food- and agribusiness needs to test and try novel solutions in a risky business environment. This programme accelerates business progress during a 9 month period, supporting your company's innovation challenge with mentorship, expertise from Wageningen University & Research, and connections to a pool of Dutch and regional peer-entrepreneurs.
Target audience
The main precondition for joining the programme is that you enter with a priority project for your business. This project should:
- fall under your leadership
- seek groundbreaking change at the intersection of production and supply chain organisation in the national fruit- and vegetable sector
- support the European Farm-to-Fork Strategy
Your project will be screened against these criteria during the application process.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- have development in your leadership skills to change agriculture in your country
- experience mentorship to orient and guide you on your innovation pathway
- have direct input on key decisions in your project from experts and peers
- have access to creative and experienced role models in sustainable food chains
- have a life-time membership of a bustling, East-West connected peer support community
Programme
**Phase 1: Goal setting and building your peer network**
We kick off with a week visit to The Netherlands, consisting of:
- Workshops and expert deep-dives on your project
- An unconference event with your Dutch peers and role models
- An individually scheduled site-visit programme in The Netherlands
- Goal-setting workshops and peer group formation
**Phase 2: Define your challenge**
Based on your personal goal(s) you identify various pathways. With our input and that of your peers you explore your options during a period of 3 months and determine what to work on the coming period.
**Phase 3: Remote mentor support (on the job)**
During a 6 month period your project will be supported with:
- Monthly mentorship check-ins using online meetings
- Curated online workshops and hangouts with Dutch role models
- Peer reflection exercises on progress
**Phase 4: Networking and creating exposure for your innovation**
A closing networking event in your country where you present your project to the wide stakeholder community of your country's agricultural sector.
Please also see the figure below.
The programme will make use of a high level of peer circle interaction facilitated by a success coach to engage discussion, plus regular networking events for peer learning.
**Registration**
We invite Bulgarian professionals and companies working (or planning to work) in Eastern European countries to express their interest to us. We then will reach out to them and discuss their possible participation.
A networking attitude and open mindset of the participants are encouraged when taking part in the programme, to maximise the benefits and the impact for the Bulgaria's agri-food community and market.
The programme is set-up to be implemented in various countries in Eastern Europe. The start will be made in Bulgaria. Next step could be the neighbouring EU-countries (including Ukraine) and the Baltic states. In that way a multiplier effect will be established.
**Course fee**
For this 9-months program the course fee for individuals will be € 6.250,- with minimum requirement of 16 participants. A second participant form one organization may get 20% discount.
We encourage (corporate) businesses to sponsor 1 or more seats for Eastern European citizens, not particularly their own employees only.
On request it could be possible to adjust the program to a one week Master Class, as a tailor made 'in company' training.
Certification
Based on your attendance you will receive a certificate after the programme is finished.
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