B4C PROJECT (2023)

The Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) is a concept aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting climate change by reusing carbon in various forms. One of the most effective approaches to sequestering CO2 emissions is storing carbon in biochar. Residual biomass (organic waste) - such as organic waste from households, gardens, and agriculture (e.g., grass, wood chips, and green waste) - is converted into biochar through a process known as pyrolysis.

Biochar is a stable form of carbon that can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil health, produce growing media, support wastewater treatment, and sequester carbon over the long term - spanning hundreds of years. By creating a circular system in which carbon is sequestered, reused, and stored, biomass-to-biochar value chains make a significant contribution to the Circular Carbon Economy; they counteract climate change and foster sustainable development as well as the "Green Deal." Consequently, the biochar-based Circular Carbon Economy represents a diverse, multifaceted, and attractive field of study for vocational education and training. The biochar-based CCE sector is growing extremely rapidly, offering young people varied and future-oriented learning opportunities.

The B4C project aims to promote the "Green Deal," sustainable development, and climate protection and adaptation measures through practice-oriented learning applications and projects centered on biochar within the context of the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) in European vocational education and training. The use of biochar - along with the associated processes of utilization, transformation, and product development - creates practical learning environments. By learning, working, and reflecting in these areas, learners engage with the natural and engineering sciences and acquire a broader range of skills and competencies to tackle future challenges related to the CCE.

The B4C project pursues the following goals:

• Linking natural sciences and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by using biochar as a practical, tangible, and "living" laboratory as well as an innovative learning environment
• Combining scientific knowledge and skills with state-of-the-art learning technology
• Facilitating access to topics such as biochar and soil science at European vocational education and training institutions - for both teachers and learners
• Providing shared learning opportunities through future-oriented projects where learners from different European regions collaborate and learn together
• Establishing a growing, open, and collaborative learning and development space for teachers and learners focused on biochar and the CCE

DEULA-Nienburg operates in the field of dual vocational training for agriculture, horticulture, and landscape gardening (covering both initial training and continuing professional development). As a provider of mandatory courses for initial and continuing training as well as master-level courses (ECVET levels 3–5), DEULA serves as the subject-matter expert for agriculture and horticulture within the B4C project. Furthermore, DEULA-Nienburg coordinates the development, planning, and piloting of the blended learning courses as part of the B4C project.

• At VET Level the project aims to develop certified VET courses for the agricultural, horticultural, and construction sectors on EQF levels (EQF 3-5)
• Creating Introductory study modules on biochar for 3 occupational fields; study modules in 3 progressive course levels (EQF 3-4) and 5 different application fields in blended learning modality with interfaces to chemistry, physics, biology and engineering
• An interdisciplinary certified course focusing on biochar in agriculture/horticulture and construction combined with learning modules on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EQF5)
• Planning and delivery of 2 transnational interdisciplinary collaborative learning events
• A minimum of 5 local biochar learning pilot projects which will be developed in practical, collaboration of VET and local projects