The project “BLOOM.25”, presented by a European partnership with AdIM as leader, is an initiative financed by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ program and will last for 24 months.
Programming scope: Erasmus+ and community policies
The project BLOOM.25, presented as part of the call ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CB-VET, fits into European policies for the strengthening of professional training (VET) and for the economic resilience of the Western Balkans, with particular attention to the agricultural sector. The objective is to improve local competitiveness and encourage convergence with European Union standards. The project addresses the shortcomings of agricultural vocational training systems in Albania and Kosovo through updated programs, innovative teaching methodologies and the integration of digitalisation both in training and in agricultural practices. A distinctive element is the introduction of certification of skills via blockchain technology, with full alignment with European frameworks EQF ed ESCO, to ensure recognition and transferability of skills at EU level. BLOOM.25 also promotes transnational cooperation and the exchange of good practices between Italia, Cipro, Albania and Kosovo, strengthening the connection with reti europee VET, come EPALE ed Erasmus+, to ensure effective and lasting dissemination of the project results.
Nature of the project
The project BLOOM.25 it is an initiative of Capacity Building in the field of Professional Education and Training (VET), focused on agricultural and agri-food sector in Albania and Kosovo. Its main objective is to modernize and strengthen VET systems, making them more dynamic, inclusive and better aligned with the needs of the labor market, particularly in rural areas. The project adopts a innovative and transnational approach, integrating successful European training models through digitalization of agriculture and training, l’work-based learning (WBL) and the certification of skills via blockchain technology, to ensure transparency and international recognition of qualifications. Il primary target is represented by VET trainers, which are equipped with advanced and updated teaching methodologies. Overall, BLOOM.25 aims to bridge the gap between education and employment in the Western Balkans, promoting the adoption of emerging technologies and European good practices.
The Project in Summary
The project BLOOM.25 aims to modernize VET in Albania and Kosovo in the sector agri-food. Update curricula and strengthen skills digital and green of VET trainers.
It introduces innovative methodologies such asWork-Based Learning and digital platforms. Use the blockchain for the certification of skills.
The Main objectives of the project are multiple and interconnected:
- Development of VET trainers: Strengthen trainers' skills through innovative methodologies, work-based learning (WBL) and digitalisation.
- Modernization of VET: Closing the skills gap and updating curricula in the agri-food sector, making VET more dynamic and labor market oriented in the Western Balkans.
· Alignment with EU priorities: Integrating the European Green Deal and digital transformation, promoting green skills, sustainable practices and advanced digital tools.
· Employability and inclusion: Improve employment opportunities for young people and ensure equitable access to training for vulnerable groups and rural communities.
· Collaboration with the production sector: Develop partnerships with agricultural businesses and stakeholders to ensure consistency between training and market needs.
· Technological innovation: Introduce skills certification via blockchain to ensure transparency, security and international recognition.
The expected results of the project are:
- Planning and monitoring: Activity planning document and quarterly reports to monitor project progress.
- Strengthening training capabilities: 30 trained VET trainers, tested and evaluated, supported by a virtual community of knowledge exchange.
- Output digitali: Fully operational e-learning platform and blockchain-based skills certification system.
- Practical experiences and mobility: Mobility activities in Italy for 30 trainers, aimed at exchanging good practices.
- Professional qualification: Level certification EQF 5 per 10 trainers.
- Dissemination and visibility: Dedicated website, social channels, 4 podcasts and ebooks for disseminating the project results.
The project aligns strategically with the priorities of the European Union:
- Horizontal Priority: Integration of Blockchain Technology: The use of blockchain for the certification of the skills acquired by VET trainers is an innovative element that improves transparency, security and recognition of qualifications. This system facilitates transnational mobility and interoperability between qualification systems.
- Contributes to Green Deal Europeo promoting green skills and sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening the resilience of the agri-food sector. It is consistent with theEU Agenda for Skills, preparing trainers and future workers for the dual green and digital transition and improving their employability. Supports the Action Plan for Digital Education (2021–2027) through the use of e-learning, blockchain and digital valuation tools. Furthermore, favors it sustainable development and socio-economic inclusion in the Western Balkans, integrating the digital transition in agriculture and professional training to overcome obsolete training models.
The Planning Ideas and Development Area:
The project BLOOM.25 aims to transform the system vocational education and training in Albania and Kosovo, with particular attention to agri-food sector. The goal is to create a more training model inclusive, flexible and oriented towards the labor market, capable of bridging the gap between education and employment and reducing the youth unemployment and skills mismatch in the Western Balkans.
The main development areas on which the project focuses are the following:
- Strengthening of Skills (Upskilling) of VET Trainers and Modernization of the Curriculum: The project aims to transfer digital and green skills to VET trainers, providing innovative methodologies based on WBL and digitalisation and training on the use of tools such as intelligent agriculture, digital management and sustainable practices.
- Digitization, Technological Innovation and Accessibility: The project aims to digitalisation of agriculture and VET training, with e-learning platforms for greater accessibility, especially rural, and the use of blockchain to certify skills in a transparent and internationally recognized way, integrating the tools of Action plan for digital education 2021-2027.
- Strategic Cooperation and Labor Market Alignment: The project strengthens collaboration between VET institutions, businesses and policy makers to develop training oriented to the labor market, create hands-on learning, internships and partnerships, and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for young people, donne, long-term unemployed and rural communities.
The project's approach to achieving these objectives is articulated through a path structured into five Work Packages (WP), each with specific and interconnected functions:
· WP1 – Management, coordination and evaluation
Planning, quality control, financial management and impact monitoring, based on a collaborative management model (PM²).
· WP2 – BLOOM training and digital innovation
Development and implementation of 5 training modules for VET trainers on sustainability, digitalization and WBL, with innovative teaching methodologies.
· WP3 – Digital infrastructure and BLOOM certification
Creation of e-learning platform and certification system based on blockchain, for a scalable digital ecosystem.
· WP4 – BLOOM Innovation Hub and stakeholder engagement
Creation of a digital Innovation Hub to facilitate collaboration between trainers and the private sector, developing innovative solutions for the agri-food sector.
· WP5 – Communication, diffusion and sustainability
Ensure visibility, dissemination of results and long-term sustainability of the training models developed.
Strategic Objectives: Our Purpose for Impact
The BLOOM.25 project aims to strengthen agricultural professional training in Albania and Kosovo through an innovative and multidisciplinary approach. It aims to develop training programs for VET trainers that integrate modern methodologies, with particular attention to digital and intelligent agriculture, to sustainability and business management, using digital tools and Work-Based Learning (WBL) to closely link training and the job market. A distinctive element is the use of blockchain technology for the certification of skills, ensuring transparency, traceability and international recognition. The project also promotes collaboration with local and international stakeholders and creates a digital Innovation Hub, encouraging the practical application of skills and the link between training, innovation and territorial development. The ultimate goal is to build a resilient education system, inclusive and market-oriented, capable of structurally modernizing agricultural VET in the region.
The project BLOOM.25 will officially enter its operational phase with a first kick-off meeting scheduled for 7 January, which will involve all European partners. The meeting will represent a key moment of initial coordination, aimed at sharing objectives, of the Work Package structure and the work plan.
