Agrobiodiversity

Agrobiodiversity includes the diversity of crops and livestock species and varieties, the diversity of production and food supply systems, different agricultural practices and intensities and the biodiversity that indirectly supports agriculture through provisioning ecosystem services. Agrobiodiversity is therefore essential for locally adapted and resilient land use systems across the globe and ultimately contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this International Summer School, you will learn about various perspectives on agrobiodiversity and its contribution to the sustainability and resilience of food systems. In small groups of international students and experts, you will have the chance to deeply investigate opportunities and challenges of the existing local production systems and food supply chains and how they are connected to agrobiodiversity. Together with local stakeholders, you will develop strategies and solutions for addressing their challenges through different aspects of agrobiodiversity. In this program, you will also have the chance to improve your intercultural competencies to work in an international and interdisciplinary context.

Course leader

ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
FiBL Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (Switzerland)
ÖMKi Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (Hungary)

Target group

The Summer School is mainly directed at students enrolled in a Master program related to agricultural science, environment, food technologies and processing, rural development, sustainability assessment or associated topics. Bachelor students are also invited to apply, but will be given second priority.

The number of participants is limited to 30.

Please note that at this time, applications are limited to students from, or studying in, the following countries:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Course aim

The Agrobiodiversity Summer School consists of a preparatory phase and a 10-days study week. In the preparatory phase (April-August 2023) you will conduct a mini case study related to the local agrobiodiversity of your home country or place of study.During the study week in Hungary, you will present the results of your mini case study, visit various case studies in different regions and work on a group project with other participants.

Credits info

4 EC
After successful completion of the course, you will be awarded 4 ECTS.

Fee info

CHF 250: Accommodation, food and excursions will be arranged for you. However, all participants will have to make a contribution of CHF 250.

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and payments to get to the venue. We encourage you to travel by train and bus.