Teagasc hosts group of advisors from across Europe for the Young EUFRAS Training and Mentorship Programme
A group of 20 young advisors travelled to Oak Park, Carlow as part of the Young European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services (EUFRAS) Training and Mentorship Programme. This group consisted of 20 advisors from Slovenia, Austria, Ukraine, Latvia, North Macedonia and Ireland.
This Training and Mentorship programme is the first in partnership with EUFRAS and collaborating partners Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry (CAFS) in Slovenia, and Young Professionals for Agricultural Rural Development (YPARD). The goal of this programme is not only to up-skill 20 young advisors from across Europe, but to ensure a support system via the establishment of an European wide network of young advisory experts. The benefits of the programme include the opportunity to practice hard and soft skills that can offer young advisors the tools to have an effective and rewarding career in extension and advisory services. Additionally, participants will have the chance to receive the Certificate for European Consultants in Rural Areas (CECRA) Full Certificate.
The participants have built a strong network between participants from the various countries, and they have noted that the challenges faced in the agricultural industry are not unique to their individual countries, but faced throughout Europe. A programme such as the YEUFRAS is, not only to help the participants to understand these challenges, but to develop the skills to try and find solutions to these problems.
As part of this programme, Teagasc facilitated two online sessions in April on Gender Equity and Farmer Health and Safety, which were very topical subjects across all of the countries. Whilst in Teagasc Oak Park the participants completed two CECRA modules; Module 7 | Shaping Advisory Processes and Module 9 | Facilitation and Discussion Group Management. The group visited two farms and carried out a technical farm visit.
The Young EUFRAS Programme is a great opportunity for young advisors to develop their professional network and learn new skills. Details of the programme are available here