From April 30 to May 14, the Fundació Catalunya Voluntaria has organized a new practical training activity in collaboration with the ‘Vasil Levski’ Professional School of Agriculture from Parvomay (Plovdiv), and the ‘Stara Zagora’ Center for European Initiatives, of Bulgaria, within the framework of a mobility action for learning purposes for vocational training centers.
The activity ‘Green Skills in Agriculture-Studying the Experience of Catalonia’ took place in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sant Pere de Ribes, Cubelles, Sant Jaume dels Domenys and Llorenç del Penedès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), led by a group of 19 students, 14 girls and 5 boys, from 16 to 18 years old, accompanied by 3 teachers and the director of the school, who have had the opportunity to enjoy a two-week program, dedicating 9 mornings to hands-on internships in the agricultural sector, learning about new ways of working in the orchard and vineyard in an ecological way, discovering and being part of new landscapes: a private orchard, a community orchard, a company in the wine sector and a wine and oil cooperative, always under the careful supervision of professionals in the sector, with different ages and trajectories.
The group has learned the techniques of a farmer over 80 years old and 3 young adults, entrepreneurs, technicians and businessmen, experts in agricultural production, ecology, sustainability, machinery and phytosanitary control, among other topics.
The group, housed in the Hotel Cesar, at the Baixamar neighborhood of Vilanova i la Geltrú, spent the first days getting to know the city and playing games on the Ribes Roges beach, also for team-building, taking advantage of the weekend to visit Barcelona and the Museum Romantic Can Papiol.
Results from an active, communicative and respectful attitude the two weeks have been an outstanding learning and knowledge experience for the whole group, with no exception.
According to the students themselves, the activity has helped them to be more responsible, have more initiative and learn to work as a team with their classmates.
Certainly, the program created a feeling of a united and cohesive group between students from different course, exceeding in this sense the best expectations of the students themselves and the teaching staff.
The activity, carried out with the support of the National Institute of Youth of Bulgaria and the Erasmus+ program, has taken place thanks to the collaboration and professionalism of Mr. Lluís, Andrés, Biel and Ruben, internship supervisors, and the teaching team of the school: Miroslav, Darena and Sevdalina.
We must especially thank the disinterested collaboration of the company ‘Vega de Ribes’, the Cooperative ‘Celler Dolmenys’ and the ‘Hort del Avi Ferret’ initiative, as well as the logistical help of David and Joan, accompanying the groups, and Ekaterina in facilitating games and group dynamics .
Thank you all very much! Looking forward collaborating with you again next time!
Lluc Martí
Activity coordinator