3 questions to Stavroula Tsigkou, COVE Greece Leader

The Greek CoVE is led by AKMI. Let’s learn more about this organization and its role in the project.

What is the “mission” of the COVE Greece?

The Greek Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), led by AKMI, aims to strengthen innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation within Greece’s agri-food sector through high-quality vocational education and training. Together with its partners ELGO DIMITRA and AGENSO, the Greek CoVE seeks to build a dynamic skills ecosystem that connects education, research, and industry to address national and regional challenges in agri-food production.

Its mission is to equip learners, professionals, and enterprises with the green and digital skills necessary to foster competitiveness and resilience in the agri-food value chain.

The Greek CoVE works to:

• Identify the evolving skill needs of the Greek agri-food sector, particularly in precision agriculture, smart farming, and sustainable production.
• Co-develop and implement innovative VET curricula and training programs aligned with both national priorities and EU strategies for sustainable food systems.
• Serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and collaboration among education providers, research institutes, and businesses.
• Promote lifelong learning and upskilling opportunities that empower the rural workforce and support youth engagement in the agri-food sector.
• Contribute actively to the AgriFood4Future European network by sharing Greek expertise, best practices, and digital solutions with other CoVEs.

Through this mission, CoVE Greece aspires to become a national reference point for vocational excellence in the agri-food sector, bridging innovation, education, and industry to drive sustainable rural development.

What is the “added value” of the COVE Greece for the AF4F project?

The added value of the Greek Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for the AgriFood4Future project lies in its strong synergy between education, research, and innovation within Greece’s agri-food ecosystem. Led by AKMI, one of the largest VET providers in Greece, and supported by ELGO DIMITRA (the national organization for agricultural research and training) and AGENSO (a technology company specialized in smart farming and sustainability), the Greek CoVE represents a unique cross-sectoral alliance that bridges academic expertise, technological innovation, and field application.

Through this partnership, CoVE Greece contributes to AF4F by:

• Bringing national expertise in sustainable and digital agriculture, particularly in precision farming, smart technologies, and environmental monitoring.
• Leveraging AKMI’s extensive training infrastructure and networks to ensure broad dissemination and uptake of AF4F results across Greek VET institutions, learners, and professionals.
• Utilizing ELGO DIMITRA’s research capacity and field demonstrations to validate and transfer innovative agri-food practices directly to farmers and rural communities.
• Integrating AGENSO’s digital tools and data-driven approaches into training and pilot activities, showcasing how technology can enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.

In this way, the Greek CoVE adds tangible value to the AF4F project by connecting innovation with vocational education, acting as a national hub for skills development and technology adoption in the agri-food sector. Its ecosystem approach strengthens the project’s impact in Southern Europe and ensures that AF4F outcomes are both regionally relevant and practically applicable.

When we finish the AF4F project, what would be the greatest achievement of the project in your opinion?

The greatest achievement of the AgriFood4Future project will be the creation of a strong, interconnected European ecosystem of innovation and vocational excellence in the agri-food sector – one that continues to thrive beyond the project’s lifetime. From the Greek CoVE’s perspective, this achievement will be reflected in the real transformation of skills, mindsets, and opportunities within the sector.

Through the collaboration of education providers, research institutions, and technology companies, AF4F will have successfully bridged the gap between education and industry, enabling farmers, students, and professionals to adopt sustainable and digital practices that make the agri-food sector more resilient and future-ready.

Equally important, the project will have empowered a new generation of VET learners and workers equipped with practical, green, and digital competences, and inspired to stay and grow within the agri-food sector rather than leave it.

Ultimately, the greatest legacy of AF4F will be a lasting network of CoVEs, including the Greek CoVE, that continues to drive innovation, collaboration, and excellence across Europe’s agri-food landscape.