The final result was a digital infographic booklet, which acts as a one-stop resource for educators and entrepreneurs to refer to. It provides VET Educators with specialised digital skills to use in their teaching, and also helps rural food entrepreneurs learn how to successfully market to a digital audience and develop their online brand using social media platforms and online tools. 

The booklet gathers all necessary information into one convenient resource, freely available to VET Educators and rural food entrepreneurs across Europe.  

Here’s how it came together. The first step was to create a timeline for the development of the booklet, and to assign each partner with their responsibilities. A survey was then conducted to find out which supports entrepreneurs most needed.

For example, the consortium looked into the online supports and resources they were already aware of, resources that they felt would benefit them, as well as identifying any digital barriers. 

Using the survey results, a draft booklet was created packed with practical advice. The draft was shared with partners for feedback, refined and translated into partner languages, then made accessible online. 

Below details an infographic that outlines the step-by-step design process behind the development of Result 5 the “Digital Infographic Booklet” a comprehensive digital resource created for educators and rural food entrepreneurs.

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The fourth result was an online module to help VET Educators train the rural food entrepreneurs to set up their own online shop. This included short demonstrations to guide the food entrepreneur through the process, enabling them to sell their goods digitally and generate sales. 

To develop this module, the DigiFE consortium first planned the content, incorporating case studies and resources contributed by each partner country.

Findings from previous activities and results development were utilised to guide the module development, ensuring a seamless learning experience. 

The consortium also agreed on the incorporation of another digital badge at the end of the module as an incentive to users and as evidence of their completion.

After final refinement and editing of the module, it was ready to be translated into partner languages and released for use online. 

This infographic outlines the step-by-step design process of Result 4 the “Let’s Get DigiFE Sales Ready” a Digital Skills Series” of education modules are designed to help VET educators train rural food entrepreneurs to create and manage successful online stores.

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The aim of R3 was to develop innovation and creativity among VET Educators. The DigiFE consortium developed a “Design Thinking” course to support educators to create training specifically designed for agri-food entrepreneurs, addressing their unique challenges. 

The project consortium began by developing a survey to be sent to rural food entrepreneurs to identify specific difficulties they face in online markets.

This survey was discussed, refined and then piloted in a specific group before being translated and distributed among rural food entrepreneurs in each partner country. Data was collected and analysed from the survey, and the insights gathered helped to guide the development of a course curriculum.

After translation into partner languages, the final curriculum was made available for use through the project website and social media pages. After creating a draft, the consortium reviewed and refined it before making it available online through the DigiFE project website and social media pages.

This infographic outlines the step-by-step design process of Result 3 [R3] . The curriculum is designed to equip VET educators with resources for creating tailored training programs for food entrepreneurs as part of the Digital Skills Series. Below details an infographic that outlines the step-by-step design process behind the development of Result 3 the “Fostering Design Thinking with Agri-Food Entrepreneurs” curriculum,

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DigiFE’s second result was an online module for VET Educators, including simple demonstrations, training slides and videos to help Agri-Food learners to set up their business online with ease.

In order to create the most helpful module, the project consortium began by assessing the current digital skills of rural Agri-Food producers in each partner country and identifying areas lacking in confidence. Partners worked together to discuss the most important topics and resources to include.

The consortium also developed digital badges as an incentive to learners and as evidence of their completion of the module.

Finally, the module was translated into partner languages and made available for use online.

Below details an infographic that outlines the step-by-step design process behind the development of Result 2 the “Let’s Get DigiFE Started – Setting Up Online, a Digital Skills Series” of online education modules.

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DigiFE’s first result was an online platform, designed to provide VET Educators with tools and resources they need to teach agri-food entrepreneurs online and develop digital skills.

This platform provides clear guidance on how to structure agri-food entrepreneurship training online and gives educators tools, activities, case studies and examples of good practice to use in their teaching.

In order to create this platform, the project consortium began by engaging with VET Educators: surveying educators involved in agri-food entrepreneurship programmes across our partner countries, assessing their current knowledge, and identifying any areas where support was needed. The next step was to develop a training plan. Based on the survey findings, a plan was developed to address these skill gaps and gather further research from each of our partners on additional tools and resources that would be helpful in accompanying the training guide.

After creating a draft, the consortium reviewed and refined it before making it available online through the DigiFE project website and social media pages.

Below details an infographic that outlines the step-by-step design process behind the development of Result 1 the online resource tool focusing on “How to Engage the Rural Agri-Food Learner Online”

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Online Savvy Food Entrepreneur – Digital Infographic Booklet

What it is: This Digital Skills booklet equips VET educators with practical tools to help Agri-Food entrepreneurs market to online consumers and build a digital brand using social media and other online platforms, creating Online Savvy Food Entrepreneurs.

Developed from survey insights of Agri-Food entrepreneurs in Ireland, Italy, and Poland, this evidence-based resource highlights key digital skills needs in the Agri-Food sector.

How Educators Can Use This Booklet:

• Guide entrepreneurs in building a digital brand
• Help them use social media effectively
• Develop a foundational digital marketing strategy
• Introduce KPI tracking for business growth

Languages Available: English, Italian, and Polish.

English Booklet

Polish Booklet

Italian Booklet

For additional insights into the development of the Digital Skills infographic resource, the full survey report, available below.

English Report

Polish Report

Italian Report

This report provides VET educators with a deeper understanding of Agri-Food entrepreneurs’ digital competencies and training needs across Ireland, Italy, and Poland. By highlighting essential digital skills, this resource supports educators in equipping entrepreneurs to expand their reach and engage effectively with online consumers. Together, the survey report and R5 infographic booklet serve as comprehensive tools to guide Agri-Food entrepreneurs in navigating and thriving within the digital marketplace.

Presenting key findings from a study on the digital competencies and training needs of Agri-Food entrepreneurs in Ireland, Italy, and Poland, the report offers VET educators a targeted approach to prioritising essential digital skills. These insights are designed to empower Agri-Food entrepreneurs, enabling them to successfully navigate and compete in the evolving digital marketplace.

About the Study
This study was conducted as part of the Erasmus+ funded Digital Readiness for Agri-Food Entrepreneurship Training (DigiFE) project, led by Atlantic Technological University in collaboration with CIA Toscana, the Polish Farm Advisory and Training Centre, and Macra na Feirme. The survey explored the current digital capabilities and specific training needs of Agri-Food entrepreneurs, providing evidence-based insights to inform educational resources that support digital skill-building in rural food entrepreneurship.

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Fostering Design Thinking with Agri-Food Entrepreneurs

The Digital Skills Series curriculum aims to supports VET educators in integrating Design Thinking into Agri-Food entrepreneurship programs. As the sector shifts to a digital landscape, this course provides essential tools to help Agri-Food entrepreneurs bridge digital skills gap to stay relevant and thrive in their sector.

With five core modules covering design thinking, customer discovery, marketing, data analysis, and food legislation, the curriculum offers practical knowledge to enhance digital capabilities. In addition optional modules are available with more tailored supports to address specific business needs of Agri-Food entrepreneurs.

This curriculum will equip VET educators with the tools and materials needed to create bespoke courses for food entrepreneurs and producers, helping them refine processes and integrate innovative strategies to thrive in an ever evolving digital environment

Click on the below to access the curriculum in your preferred language.

English Version

Polish Version

Italian Version

Languages: English, Polish, and Italian.

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This project is funded by Erasmus+ and is led by Atlantic Technological University, Galway (ATU Galway, Ireland) in partnership with a consortium comprised of Macra na Feirme (MnF, Ireland), The Polish Farm Advisory Centre (PFA, Poland) and Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori (CIA, Italy).

This Survey has been developed as part of the DigiFE project to identify the barriers rural food entrepreneurs face in online markets, distribution and associated training needs across Ireland, Italy and Poland.
This information will help inform the design of curriculum specific to the training needs of rural food entrepreneurs to empower them to become more resilient and continue in serving their local markets and open up new ones in the Agri-Food sector across Europe.

There is no risk associated with this survey, it is comprised of 15 short questions which should take approximately 5-7 minutes. It is completely anonymous, and you do not have to take part if you do not wish.

The 14^th of July is the final date to withdraw your date, as after analysis of the data will have begun.

If you have any questions regarding the survey or have any concerns, please feel free to contact the research team at ATU on erasmusplusSEN.galwaymayo@atu.ie or head researchers at any time.

Click here to access the survey.

Thanking you all in advance!

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DigiFE is an Erasmus+ funded project that aims to equip agri-food entrepreneurship VET educators with the know-how, confidence, skillset, essential tools, and resources to digitalise and develop their teaching practice. This in turn will facilitate learners in agri-food entrepreneurship VET programmes to create an online identity for their local brand and business. The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway is leading the project and working in partnership with ourselves Macra na Feirme, Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori (CIA) Toscana, in Italy and The Polish Farm Advisory and Training Centre (PFA), in Poland.

The second transnational meeting was held in Lomza, Poland, along with a wonderful first Multiplier event earlier this year in January. There was great engagement in both the meeting and the conference held. PFA warmly welcomed partners Macra, ATU Galway and CIA to their office in Lomza on 18^th January to discuss and plan for project outputs including ‘how to engage your rural agri-food learner online’. Participants than travelled to a local bakery to see the production process of the local cake Sękacz. That evening, partners made some final preparations for the conference on the 19^th January held in the University of Mans.

The conference was entitled The DigiFE International Conference and brought together the public with VET Educators. The main topic of the conference was ‘Modern methods of teaching vocational subjects and digitilisation of educational training programs’. Ciara Murray presented some of the activities and events we have in Macra and this was translated for Polish participants. The feedback from conference participants will help Partners further develop project outputs going forward.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable trip to Lomza in Poland and we look forward to the next transnational meeting due to be held in Ireland and hosted by Macra na Feirme. We are eager to welcome our partners from PFA in Poland, CIA in Italy and ATU in Galway. More information on the Project can be found on the DigiFE Instagram page digife_ or www.digife.eu

Project partners pictured at the University of Mans with Vice-President Dr Eng. Andrzej Borusiewicz, prof. Mans

Project partners visiting local bakery to see the production of traditional cake Sękacz.

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The Covid-19 pandemic has led many sectors into digital transformations. Entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector have expressed their sense of lacking the training needed to make the transition online. In May this year the DigiFE: “Digital Readiness for Agri-Food Entrepreneurship Training: Addressing the digital competence of VET educators” project was launched with an online kick-off meeting.

The project main objectives are:

• Addressing digital transformation through development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity.
• Adapting vocational education and training to labour market needs.
• Contributing to innovation in vocational education and training.

The overarching objective of this project therefore is to assess the digital skills and competencies of VET educators and to upskill VET educators with innovative pedagogies informed by labour market requirements to ensure that rural agrifood entrepreneurs are equipped with the digital skills to pivot and adapt their businesses to online markets. Developing skills in new digital capabilities, will provide opportunity to increase rural routes to market generating sales online, increase inclusion, resilience and diversity for local food producers throughout Europe.

The project will help to:

1. Create educational resources to transform VET pedagogies to ensure that VET educators can support the rural food entrepreneur with training and resources in their transition to online platforms and technologies to enhance market reach and sales capacity.

 In doing so, it will also help to:

2. Prevent market segmentation and exclusion of rural agri-food entrepreneurs who are often isolated due to their rural location and skill deficiencies in digitalisation.

3. To improve digital literacy and confidence in those providing training to rural agri-food entrepreneurs.

The project consortium consists of well experienced and ambitious organisations. This will ensure achieving the project objectives smoothly and effectively and bring high quality results. Meet our team:

• Atlantic Technological University (ATU, former GMIT) – higher education institute based in Galway, Ireland. ATU is a multi-discipline Institute, serving a diverse student body and is involved in research, commercial consultancy and community activities.
• Macra na Feirme is Irish voluntary organisation for rural young people aged between 17 and 35. The organisation has a nationwide network of 200 clubs with almost 9,000 young members.
• The Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana (CIA Toscana) is a professional farmers association. CIA is organised in provincial, regional and national associations which are legally independent. CIA Toscana is based in Florence and represent 20.000 farmers and more than 70.000 associated. The mission of Macra na Feirme is to contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities in Ireland by supporting the social, economic, cultural, personal development.
• The Polish Farm Advisory and Training Centre Not-For-Profit is a private not-for-profit legal entity which provides an effective consultancy and comprehensive advisory services for Polish agri-businesses and individual farmers in order to help to establish their agri-businesses successfully from the start, to develop it effectively, and to stimulate its growth in future, ensuring economic viability.

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