The project aims to develop and implement the sustainable dual study undergraduate program in Agroecology at three universities in Kazakhstan as well as to establish lifelong courses for professionals. In the modern agriculture, developing resource-saving technologies for the cultivation of agricultural crops, methods for producing high-quality crop products, effective ways of reproducing soil fertility, and methods of agroecological monitoring allows not only to survive despite all challenges, but also to successfully deal with fierce competition. The main goal of the project is to reduce the gap in the structure, volume and quality of labour resources from the real requirements of specific farms/enterprises and to educate professionals with competencies related to modern technologies. The (re)design of the educational program in agroecology in Kazakhstan through establishment of sustainable, internationally oriented dual study program will make students better prepared for all challenges facing agriculture in the future.
After adequate preparation and curriculum development, the program (new bachelor and lifelong courses) will be implemented. Special attention will be paid to quality control and monitoring and dissemination and exploitation of project activities and results.
The beneficiaries of the project outputs are: students (about 100 students per year: PSU and KazNAU 40 students per year, KEnEU 20 students per year), teachers, participating universities, companies, professionals (around 10 per year), and higher education system in Kazakhstan as a whole. More precisely, not only the Kazakh system of higher education, but society as a whole will benefit greatly, since through dual higher education the problems of providing qualified personnel to the agricultural sector are solved. The Kazakh authorities will solve the problem of providing rural regions with highly qualified personnel, as graduates return to agricultural companies that paid for their studies
Project ID
Funding period
1 February 2023 - 31 January 2026Total budget
EU contribution
Funding programme
Call for proposals
Type of action
Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:
Specific objectives
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1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
Not targeted -
2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
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3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
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4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
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5. Prevent erosion
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6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
Partially targeted -
7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
Not targeted -
8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Not targeted
Operational objectives
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1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
Targeted
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2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
Partially targeted
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3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
Not targeted
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4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
Not targeted
Innovation hotspots
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1. Carbon farming
Not targeted
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2. Soil pollution and restoration
Not targeted
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3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
Not targeted
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4. Circular economy solutions
Not targeted
Cross-cutting dimensions
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1. Business
Not targeted
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2. Digital
Not targeted
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3. Territorial
Not targeted
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4. International
Not targeted
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