EU-China Young Farmers Programme

It is proposed to carry out trainings and study visits for young farmers from both sides (China and EU). The aim is 1) to learn first-hand from each other modern practices and technical measures in terms of agricultural, agri-food sector and rural eco-environmental protection; 2) to raise agricultural and rural environment awareness and promote sustainable agricultural and rural development in China and the EU; 3) to understand better each side's policies and strategies to support young farmers and to learn best practices from each other.

The implementation of the action will focus on promoting sound and sustainable food chain organization and risk management in agriculture; restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry; promoting resource efficiency, including the correct use of pesticides and fertilisers and modern farming technology and methods and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate adaptable agriculture; and promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.

The action intends to reinforce the EU China cooperation in agriculture and rural development through the effective dissemination of best agricultural and environmental practices and capacity building in modern farming techniques among young farmers, young graduates from agricultural schools and young professionals in the agro-food sector of both sides. The action will aim at producing recommendations to practitioners and policy makers in the agricultural field, in particular on sustainable farming practices, and thus contribute to a long-term uptake of these techniques and practices. These objectives will be achieved via workshops/trainings and study visits for young farmers on agricultural/agro-food sectors in both the EU and China.

This action is fully embedded in the “EU-China Cooperation Plan in Agriculture and Rural Development” signed between the Directorate general of Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission (DG AGRI) and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), enshrining the EU-China cooperation in agriculture, encouraging the exchange and cooperation on topics like food security, climate change and rural development. This action will foster cooperation between China and the EU by exchanging experiences and best practices via a series of events and study visits for young farmers on topics that are of mutual interest and have a direct impact on sustainable agricultural production systems.

This programme has been endorsed within the framework of the dialogue on agriculture between DG AGRI and MoA and has received strong support from leaders from both sides. It fits well within the framework of sector cooperation between the EU and China in agriculture and rural development where food security, modern farming, agricultural production, good environmental practices are the main subjects of discussion and exchange during the EU-China Annual Dialogue on agriculture.

This action will contribute to PI Objective 1: To enhance EU bilateral, regional, inter-regional and multilateral cooperation and partnership strategies through reinforcement of policy dialogues.

The action will address this objective in particular through reinforcement of policy dialogue on agriculture and the development, the adoption and the implementation of collective approaches and responses to challenges of global and/or mutual concern, in particular in the areas of sustainable agriculture and rural development.

A preparatory phase that will include:

1) the selection of the Chinese and European participants. The EU side will select the European candidates to participate in study visits in China and the Chinese side will be responsible for the selection procedure of Chinese young farmers going to Europe.

2) the preparation of the study visits and design of the programs for Chinese farmers in selected EU Member States, in liaison with Member States national and regional authorities, agencies, European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) and potential participants.

An implementation phase that will include:

1) 2 Pre-departure seminars for European Young farmers in Brussels

2) 2 Study visits/trainings in EU for two groups of 12 Chinese Young Farmers (+ 2 staff members of MoA + interpreter)

3) 2 Study visits/trainings in China for two groups of 10 European Young Farmers

4) A final conference in China (exact date and location tbd)

ToR on demand

·Education at the level of Masters' Degree in a field related to the assignment (agriculture, environmental policies, external relations, etc.) – or at least 6 years of professional experience in addition to the general experience.

· Specific working experience in topics related to the assignment, in particular in the agro-food sector, agricultural sustainability, innovation.

· Knowledge of EU agricultural and environmental policies.

· Knowledge of Member States' agro-food sectors and of institutional competences at EU, national and local levels.

· Proven experience in leading and coordinating international teams.

· Working experience in the organisation of seminars, events and study group visits.

The policy expert will have the overall responsibility for the coordination and management of the team of experts carrying out the assignment as described in these Terms of Reference, ensuring meeting deadlines, quality, consistency and appropriate content of the outcomes.

The policy expert must have an overall understanding of EU and Chinese agricultural policies, environmental challenges faced by agriculture production systems and of market/business trends in the agri-food sector. He/she must be familiar in dealing with a large variety of actors in the agri-food sector (farmers and farmers' associations, research centres, universities, local administration, agri-business, etc…) both in the EU and China.

The policy expert will have the capacity to supervise the programme, check quality of deliverables and ensure coordination among all the participants and involved parties (young 14 farmers and their associations, participating MS and Chinese authorities, EU in Brussels and EU Delegation in China). He will ensure the overall supervision of the selection procedures of young farmers and design of programs for the study visits. He will also closely follow-up the organisation of the final conference with the Chinese counterpart. He/she should support the EU side in organising the final conference in China, selecting appropriate participants and speakers, and ensure that these participants are invited.

He/she will ensure that relevant documents and interim activity reports and final reports (in English language) are drafted in accordance with EU reporting standards and should be available to discuss these reports in a meeting.

The policy expert will supervise all communication activities related to the preparation, execution and follow up of the study tours, including the provision of announcements, presentations and reports.

Assets:

· Five years of professional experience in a segment of EU-China agricultural cooperation that is related to the assignment.

· Working experience in or with China.

ToR on demand

· Education at the level of Masters' Degree in a field related to the assignment (agriculture, environmental policies, external relations, etc.) – or at least 6 years of professional experience in addition to the general experience.

· Specific working experience in topics related to the assignment, in particular in the agro-food sector, agricultural sustainability, innovation.

· Knowledge of EU agricultural and environmental policies.

· Knowledge of Member States' agro-food sectors and of institutional competences at EU, national and local levels;

· Proven experience in leading and coordinating international teams.

· Working experience in the organisation of seminars, events and study group visits.

The Logistic coordinator must have excellent coordination and communication skills. He/She should be familiar with topics related to the assignment. He will be the key person in the organisation of study visits and will accompany the young farmers for the four study visits, both in Europe and in China. He should hence be able to coordinate groups of people coming from different countries and horizons. He will have to supervise logistics during the study visits.

Assets:

·Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and/or any other European languages.

· Working experience in China or with Chinese authorities in a field related to the assignment