B4C – Biochar and Circular Carbon Economy Competences
The B4C project focuses on building competences in the field of biochar and the circular carbon economy (CCE) within the vocational education and training (VET) sector. In the face of increasing environmental challenges and the need for climate action, B4C aims to empower educators, learners, and professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to apply sustainable solutions—especially through the use of biochar—in their professional contexts.
B4C is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme and runs from November 2023 to October 2025. The total project budget is €250,000, supporting transnational cooperation, resource development, and capacity-building activities across Europe.
The project is coordinated by blinc eG (Germany) and implemented in partnership with:
Folkuniversitetet (Sweden)
DEULA Nienburg (Germany)
ASTREDHOR (France)
IFSB (Luxembourg)
Together, the consortium brings together expertise from vocational education, applied research, and environmental practice to develop targeted and practice-oriented training offers for the green transition.
Start: November 2023
End: October 2025
Total Duration: 36 months
- Funded by: Erasmus+ Programme
Objectives of the B4C Project
The B4C project supports the European Green Deal and aims to integrate sustainability topics—specifically the circular carbon economy—into vocational education. It addresses the need for professional training in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, construction, and environmental technologies, where biochar offers significant potential for carbon sequestration, soil regeneration, and green innovation.
By promoting biochar-based learning approaches, the project aims to:
Develop competences relevant to sustainability and CCE.
Raise awareness for biochar’s role in reducing CO₂ emissions.
Support local and regional biochar initiatives through training and education.
Create a structured competence framework and open learning resources.
Foster the uptake of circular economy thinking in VET.
Key Activities and Outputs
Throughout its implementation, the B4C project carries out a variety of activities that are structured to support educational innovation and practical application. These include:
Analysis & Research
Stocktaking of existing learning formats related to biochar and the circular carbon economy.
Survey and interviews with educators and experts across Europe.
Development
A competence framework that links biochar and CCE competences to vocational profiles.
Blended learning modules and an interactive platform with curated materials and open educational resources (OER).
Piloting of newly developed VET training formats.
Training & Outreach
A transnational CPD training programme including design-based, hands-on learning and project development.
Organisation of regional and international networking activities with practitioners and stakeholders.
Ongoing dissemination through articles, workshops, EPALE features, and collaborative events.
The B4C project is not only about knowledge transfer—it actively supports the development of real-world applications and encourages participants to take action in their own regions and fields. Through a combination of research, training, and collaboration, it aims to build a foundation for long-term impact in sustainable education.
