CECRA Projects - Training and Certification of ELGO - Demetra and Cyprus Agriculture Department Officers

The Laboratory of Agricultural Applications, Agricultural Systems and Rural Sociology (LASAK) of the Agricultural University of Athens completed in December 2019 two training programs for the certification, according to the European CECRA standard, of 19 agricultural advisors of the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus and 14 officers of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization (ELGO) "Demetra".

The CECRA (Certificate for European Consultants in Rural Areas) is an international certificate that aims to create a uniform standard of skills for agricultural/rural consultants in Europe. The certification is offered under the auspices of EUFRAS (European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services). The standards on which each training module is based have been developed under the responsibility of the International Academy of Rural Advisors (IALB).

The training programme leading to this certification aims to develop methodological, social and personal advisory skills and is suitable for all advisers working in rural areas, regardless of their advisory priorities. The CECRA certification is therefore addressed not only to agricultural advisors but also to professionals who provide advisory services, organise activities, introduce innovations and promote synergies across the entire agri-food chain.

The trainings took place at the Agricultural University of Athens and the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration in Nicosia between 1 October and 14 December 2019 during 11 two-day sessions, each of which corresponded to a separate training module.

The following six training modules were taught during these trainings:

Training Module 1: "My profile as an agricultural advisor"

Training Unit 2: 'Communication and relationship building in the counselling process'.

Training Module 3: 'Teams and Leadership'.

Training Unit 7: 'Shaping Consultative Processes'.

Training Unit 9: 'Coordination - Facilitation of Teams'.

Training Unit 16: 'Supporting Innovation in Rural Areas'.

The trainings were conducted by the CECRA certified trainers Jochen Currle and Eleni Zarokosta and the scientific manager of the project Alexandros Koutsouris (Professor GPA).

As a regional partner of EUFRAS and an accredited provider of CECRA training modules in Greece and Cyprus, the GESAK Laboratory supports its consultants and institutions throughout the certification process.