Deforestation and forest degradation are primary drivers of the climate crisis and the accelerating loss of biodiversity on a global scale while also contributing to social inequalities.
In 2023, the European Parliament passed the European Union (EU) Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) requiring European companies to verify —via due diligence procedures— that forest-risk commodities (FRCs) placed on/exported from the EU market are “deforestation-free.”
While the implementation of deforestation-free supply chains (DFSC) is urgent, developing due diligence systems poses challenges. Thousands of European operators are impacted by the regulation, driving an immediate demand for professional DFSC managers. Thousands of producers need support to ensure their products are deforestation-free.
This course aims to bridge the skills gap between market demands and available expertise by equipping participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in DFSC management.
Students officially enrolled at partner universities of the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU project and meeting the admission requirements will be admitted free of charge (only 52.50 Euro pre-enrollment and tax fees due). Find more information in the boxes below.
The course is delivered in English in a hybrid format: the first week will be held fully online, while the following three weeks will take place in person at the Corte Benedettina and Agripolis Campus in Legnaro (Padova), Italy.
The online week will consist mainly of individual study with asynchronous online learning, supplemented by scheduled sessions for discussion among participants and with facilitators.
The second and third weeks will consist of in-person training days organized in a structure that alternates between facilitated group activities, seminars, round tables, case studies, and individual study.
The fourth week will consist mainly of individual work for the development of the project, integrated with opportunities for discussion with tutors.
The course aims to train professionals capable of operating within the framework of the European Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, known as EUDR), as well as in other similar initiatives (e.g., the UK Environment Act 2021, the USA Forest Act 2023, etc.) aimed at ensuring the legal and sustainable management of forests. Additionally, the course provides the necessary skills to work in voluntary initiatives designed to prevent, reduce, or mitigate the impact of supply chains on forest resources, within the broader framework of corporate social and environmental responsibility policies.
The course aims to train innovative professional offering competencies aligned with the EUDR and, more broadly, with the management of DFSC.
We welcome participants with different backgrounds, including forestry, agriculture, economics, policy sciences, and many others. We also welcome participants with professional experience on deforestation/forest degradation issues, as well as production and trade of FRC.
English proficiency is required (suggested minimum level: B1).
Competencies offered by the course:
- Ability to analyze the risk of deforestation and forest degradation concerning specific products and their supply chains.
- Knowledge of key policies and regulatory instruments for combating and mitigating the risk of deforestation and forest degradation.
- Understanding of major voluntary mechanisms to counter and mitigate deforestation and forest degradation risks.
- Familiarity with technological tools and approaches for tackling and mitigating deforestation and forest degradation risks, as well as the ability to use some of these tools.
- Skills in developing and organizing project proposals and business models that incorporate deforestation-free supply chain management, particularly focusing on planning, financial, and communication aspects.
The course consists of 125 hours teaching activities, corresponding to 6 ECTS.
Expert trainers and tutors will support students along the whole course, including for online part and the development of the final project.
The course is organized into four thematic modules, progressing from foundational knowledge to advanced, practical skills:
Module 1 provides participants with a solid foundation on: (i) Deforestation and forest degradation processes, including the direct and indirect drivers behind them, with a particular focus on the role of agriculture and trade in derived products; (ii) The main international policies and regulations designed to combat these processes, both on the supply and demand sides; (iii) Technical tools and approaches for risk verification, analysis, and mitigation; (iv) Existing voluntary mechanisms that can contribute to tackling deforestation and degradation.
Module 2 explores the use of tools and technologies for monitoring, verification, traceability, and reporting in the management of deforestation-free supply chains. Participants will be introduced to and will test some of the most innovative and effective tools and approaches, such as remote analysis of satellite data and imagery, blockchain technology, models and applications for footprint calculation, the use of artificial intelligence systems for big data analysis etc.
Module 3 focuses on developing project proposals and business models that integrate deforestation-free supply chain management, with special emphasis on planning, financial, and communication aspects.
Module 4 consists of individual work under the guidance and support of expert facilitators. Participants will develop specific project proposals related to deforestation-free supply chain management and will pitch about them at the end of the course. This hands-on activity will allow them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course.
Innovation alliance for training programs for deforestation-free supply chains in Europe (EMMA4EU)
The Course is offered as part of the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU Project (Innovation alliance for training programs for deforestation-free supply chains in Europe) -ERASMUS2027.
The course has been designed and the teaching materials have been developed by top-level academic and non-academic experts from the EMMA4EU Project consortium, with specific competence and experience in the field of DFSC. Tutoring by experts will be provided along the whole course, including for the development of the final project.
Venue for the three weeks in presence:
Corte Benedettina and Agripolis Campus, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
Reference organization: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova (Italy).
Up to 20 of the best participants in the “EMMA4EU Deforestation‑Free Supply Chain Manager” Course will be selected, based on the activities performed/completed and the overall quality of the final project (Module 4), to participate in the Advanced Training Course “EMMA4EU Pro: Specialization Program in Sustainable and Deforestation‑Free Supply Chains.”
Students who are regularly enrolled at partner universities of the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU project (University of Padua, University of Freiburg, Copenhagen Business School, Makerere University, and Wageningen University) and meet the admission requirements will be admitted free of charge.
Participants belonging to the above-mentioned categories will pay a fee of €22.50 besides the pre-enrollment fee of €30.00.
Participants to the course will get in touch with the EMMA4EU Alliance, a global network of organizations and initiatives within the domain of DFSC.
Mobility grants are available for selected students from the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU project Consortium: please contact your home university for more details.
For more information: https://www.emma4eu.eu/
Information
Get the brochure
"*" indicates required fields