Eco-DigiBee VET: A Digital and Sustainable VET Model for High-Proline Apitherapy Products in Çat Region

Eco-DigiBee VET is a 12-month Erasmus+ KA210-VET small-scale partnership that will transform traditional beekeeping in the disadvantaged rural district of Çat (SEGE 944/973 – Erzurum, Türkiye) into a digital, green and inclusive VET model focused on high-proline honey and apitherapy products.

Together with ACA Romania (Romanian Beekeepers Association), we will design and pilot a 4-module VET curriculum (4 × 20h) on:

Quality & proline;

Data-driven beekeeping and digital hive diary;

Apitherapy products & hygiene;

Digital marketing, e-commerce and data protection.

The project will use micro-credentials and open badges to recognise learning outcomes and will pilot an offline-first Digital Hive Diary (QR codes + KoBoToolbox + simple sensors) on at least 5 hives. ACA’s ISO/EN 17025 accredited lab will carry out proline, pollen and basic chemical analyses of Çat honey to prepare the basis of a future GI Technical Dossier and a digital flora / climate-adaptation note.

Our main target group is 25 small-scale beekeepers (at least 18 women and 15 young people 18–30) plus 5 local staff from the Public Education Centre and District Agriculture Directorate. The project tackles key barriers (low income, low digital skills, lack of VET offers) and supports social inclusion, green transition and digital readiness in a deep rural area.

We are now looking for one additional full partner from a Programme Country. We welcome:

Universities/faculties (Agriculture, Veterinary, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, Rural Development, Bioeconomy, Digital Rural Entrepreneurship); or

VET schools / training centres in agriculture, food or apiculture; or

Beekeepers’ associations / cooperatives / rural producer groups; or

NGOs active in VET, digital skills or rural/green development.

Expected role: contribute to the co-design and peer review of the curriculum and digital tools; host or co-host one short training or study visit OR send 4–6 participants to activities; provide examples/case studies; support dissemination at national level; and join 2–3 online coordination meetings. We are flexible and will adapt the final tasks to the partner’s profile and capacity.