Erasmus+

KA220-HED

Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education

(Implementation period – November 3, 2025 – November 2, 2028)

Advancing Circular Economy and Sustainability in Rural Business Activities.

Skills for the Future (CERAS) (CERAS)

2025-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000361049

As environmental challenges increasingly require small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas to apply circular and sustainable business models, and as the need for expertise, innovation, and digitalization grows, the CERAS project aims to strengthen the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to transfer knowledge and deliver high-quality education in the field of Circular Economy (CE).

“Fan S. Noli” University participates as a project partner, contributing to advancing modern educational practices and to cooperation with the business environment in Albania.

In close collaboration with SMEs, the project will develop a dedicated digital platform that equips students and academic staff from the partner universities with contemporary tools for learning, analysis, and knowledge exchange. This platform will also enhance participating HEIs' ability to innovate, collaborate effectively, and strengthen cooperation with the labor market. Through the CERAS project, students will gain fundamental knowledge on CE strategies, circular product design, optimal use of materials and waste, and new sustainable business perspectives, tailored particularly to rural economic activities.

Fan S. Noli” University will benefit from this project by strengthening the organization's capacity to provide modern, inclusive, and high-quality education in the Circular Economy, an essential approach to addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.

Specific objectives

• Strengthen cooperation and create an effective framework for collaboration among partner institutions.
• Identify and evaluate indicators for monitoring the transition of rural businesses toward the CE model.
• Design, implement, and test a web-based platform for educational use and communication with SMEs.
• Prepare future professionals in CE through a joint program of activities for students, delivered by project partners.
• Reinforce collaboration between HEIs and SMEs to foster innovation, improve employability, and support rural business development.
• Facilitate the exchange of ideas, solutions, best practices, and experiences, while promoting awareness of CE benefits and its role in mitigating climate change.

More details about the CERAS project are available on the official website: https://ceras.ub.ro/ https://ceras.ub.ro/