ABSTRACT VIEW
THE "AGROECOLOGICAL FAIR AT ÁLAVA CAMPUS" PROJECT: ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRACTICES WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
J. Tejedor-Nuñez, S. Gonzalez, M.J. Martín, M.L. Saenz de Ugarte, I. Etaio
University of the Basque Country (SPAIN)
Responsible food strategies associated with agroecology offer an innovative educational resource, engaging the university community in ecosocial sustainability issues and the essential integration of food production with other ecosystem services.

The agroecological fair project at the Araba Campus, initiated and sustained through the efforts of a dedicated group of university community members and supported by the Directorate of Sustainability of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), operates within the framework of the Campus Bizia Lab initiative. This project's primary objective is to organize regular agroecological fairs on campus to promote responsible purchasing, sustainable consumption habits, healthy eating, and the development of critical, responsible, and committed attitudes among the university community.

To evaluate the project's success, both quantitative and qualitative data have been collected from the ten fairs held since 2018, utilizing participation records, evaluation forms, and other methodologies. Among the more than 2,000 participants (including visitors, associations, undergraduate students, and teaching and administrative staff), students have been particularly prominent. They have identified agroecology as a valuable learning resource within the context of various subjects, final degree projects, departments, and university centers. Another significant outcome is the establishment of a consumer group within the campus.

The agroecological fairs have facilitated interdisciplinary and applied collaboration among faculty and students from different disciplines and centers. Furthermore, the integration of agroecological content within various degree programs has been instrumental in establishing sustainability as a core competency across the curriculum.

Keywords: Agroecology, transdisciplinary learning, responsible food practices, sustainability.

Event: EDULEARN25
Track: Active & Student-Centered Learning
Session: Active & Experiential Learning
Session type: VIRTUAL