StarForest

PROJECT STAR FOREST

“STAR FOREST: Adult Education for the Use of the Multifunctional Forest as a Source of Employment, Sustainability and Social Inclusion” is an innovative project in the field of adult education that aims to improve access to quality learning opportunities for adults in rural areas. It focuses on implementing ICT tools to overcome geographical barriers and promote social inclusion in areas affected by depopulation.

This is an ERASMUS+ project, the EU’s education and training support programme, which for the 2021–2027 period places special emphasis on social inclusion as well as ecological and digital transition.

Forests are abundant and diverse ecosystems across the EU, offering a wide range of resources and ecosystem services (multifunctional forests). New opportunities related to non-wood forest products, the green economy, and the transition toward a climate-neutral economy present a clear path to economic development, particularly in rural areas. These opportunities can help retain population and foster the integration of disadvantaged groups.

Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are a significant source of economic income and a key pillar supporting the multifunctional forest concept. However, there is a lack of specific and accessible training tools tailored to populations who could benefit from these natural resources. Therefore, it is essential to develop new professional skills related to forestry while also strengthening key competencies. Non-formal education systems must be developed to meet these needs, offering comprehensive and professional training to rural populations.

STAR FOREST is a highly motivating project for the Cooperation Partnership, as it will strengthen the capacity of organizations to work at both transnational and cross-sectoral levels. It also aims to unlock new economic and employment niches through the sustainable use of forests in their regions. Its main objective is to create alternative training pathways for rural populations based on emerging products (non-wood forest products) in order to improve socio-economic conditions in rural areas.

Various actions will be carried out, including the creation of an innovative curriculum and educational resources on multifunctional forests for adult education, the development of the STAR FOREST European Educational Portal with training content, and the dissemination of project results. The project will also facilitate the exchange of best practices among different organizations and EU countries and raise awareness of the climate challenge and sustainable development.

Objectives

The overall objective is to improve the availability of learning opportunities for adults on multifunctional forests, the use of non-wood forest products (NWFPs), and their potential for sustainable economic development, innovation, and employment in rural areas of the EU, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Specific objectives of the project:

  1. To develop new competencies for adult education and ICT-supported training resources, with an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to sustainable multifunctional forests.
  2. To contribute to the use of forests and their non-wood products as a means of social inclusion in rural areas, reintegrating adults, women, and young people into the labour market.
  3. To promote innovative practices in sustainable forest management to increase the carbon sink capacity of forests and enhance resilience to climate change.
  4. To promote information transfer, adult education, and employment.
  5. To foster the implementation of training and cooperation networks among different sectors and European countries (adult education, forestry, sustainable management, rural development, environment, etc.), involving all stakeholders in training efforts.
  6. To support public awareness of environmental and climate challenges.

TARGET GROUPS

Adult population (men, women, and young adults), entrepreneurs, and job seekers.
Disadvantaged groups with limited access to the labour market in depopulated areas.

Trainers, educators, teachers, etc.

  • Stakeholders involved in forest management and the use of NWFPs: private sector, public administrations, traders, etc.
  • Rural development agents
  • Employees of local and regional public bodies or administrations
  • Public authorities
  • Technicians and trainers from Local Action Groups
  • Social organisations
  • Trade unions (forestry, agricultural, and livestock unions)
  • Other educational/cultural associations in rural areas
  • Environmental, educational, forestry, and conservation entities

WORKPACKAGES

The project is organized around several Work Packages (WPs) designed to develop specific actions and results:

Development of an innovative curriculum and educational resources for adult education focused on new competencies related to multifunctional forests and the use of NWFPs. This will contribute to the project's overall goal of improving the availability of adult learning opportunities in this field, while also promoting sustainable forest management and enhancing the economic development and innovation potential of the forestry sector in the EU.

Design and implementation of the STAR FOREST European Educational Portal (an e-learning platform for non-formal adult education), featuring training content related to the sustainable use of multifunctional forests and non-wood forest products. The platform will employ digital learning tools and offer easy access to this innovative educational approach. It will include training modules on the sustainable management of NWFPs and the ecosystem services of multifunctional forests. The results and activities of this work package will also help improve the digital skills of rural and adult communities, facilitating their integration into the labour market and enhancing their social inclusion.

Dissemination of results, exchange of experiences, and training activities. The aim of this WP is to share and disseminate project results through activities that promote training, experience exchange, discussion, and feedback collection, involving all target groups and stakeholders across the participating countries. The main objectives of this WP are:

  • To transfer information and results
  • To inform about the opportunities offered by the STAR FOREST European Educational Portal, the online training course, and the rest of the educational materials developed by the project
  • To foster cooperation networks among various organizations, sectors, and countries
  • To train project partners, stakeholders, and target groups
  • To raise public awareness about environmental and climate challenges

STAR FOREST: Adult Education for the Use of the Multifunctional Forest as a Source of Employment, Sustainability, and Social Inclusion
Project 2023-1-ES01-KA220-ADU-000158430

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