Experience sustainability to live sustainable​

The MAREA project, funded by the European Union under Erasmus+, aims to promote sustainable agriculture in both rural and urban areas. The project is a cooperation between Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway and Croatia. MAREA focuses on four topics: socio-ecological agriculture, ecotourism, the preservation and dissemination of traditional knowledge and the relationship between cities and agriculture.

MAREA stands for "Multifunctional Agriculture: Rural Education for Action". The name reflects the objectives of the project: a transition towards a sustainable lifestyle through the sharing of knowledge from rural regions.

Rural Academy: ​
​Places of learning

The 'Rural Academy' is set up to gather and pass on knowledge about sustainable agriculture. Experts and professionals (farmers,...) will share their knowledge and experience with trainers in the Rural Academy. These trainers will set up educational programmes within the framework of agro-tourism, through an elaborated curriculum. The programmes will be linked to specific 'places of learning'. In order to bring farmers and trainers into contact with other interested parties, information about these 'places of learning' will be collected on the online Rural Academy platform.

EU-project as the starting signal for a sustainable Europe

The project serves as a starting signal for the development of 'places of learning' within the Rural Academy. During the MAREA-project, 'places of learning' will be established in the partner countries. Starting from this, the Rural Academy can expand its network.  In this way, it can reach a growing number of learners and elaborate the content of its curriculum.

MAREA Roots

The MAREA project focuses on three thematic areas:
​Sustainable agriculture, linking rural and urban structures and traditional knowledge.​

Sustainable Agriculture

On the path to sustainable use of the planet's resources, sustainable agriculture is essential. MAREA provides information on what constitutes sustainable agriculture, why it is important, what its contributions are to combat climate change and how its impulses can also be applied to our own lifestyles.​

Rural-Urban Link

Besides sustainable living in rural regions, MAREA also takes into account a sustainable urban area. The project establishes a link between rural and urban structures and creates synergies between both regions.

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge often harbours sustainable principles. Especially in rural areas, much traditional knowledge and craftsmanship is being lost due to technical progress and lack of competitiveness. MAREA collects this knowledge and explores what we can learn from past generations.
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