On 1 July 2026, The Food Hub welcomed a group of VET trainers to Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, for a focus group session to pilot test the EcoSmart Hospitality resources. Trainers from First Rung Training Services and Roscommon LEADER Partnership’s Work Links programme spent the session immersed in the materials, viewing them through the eyes of their learners and giving us the kind of honest, practical feedback that only working trainers can.
The group explored the Green and Digital Competence Framework and Curriculum, worked through our seven Open Educational Resources (short, practical modules covering everything from sustainability in daily operations and circular economy practices to everyday AI, data literacy and digital marketing).
Piloting testing is a vital moment of truth for a project. While every resource we’ve built is designed for real classrooms, hearing first hand how the materials land with trainers who deliver to diverse groups of learners every week is invaluable. Their feedback is already shaping refinements that will make the final versions stronger.
A big thank you to everyone who took part.
Testing is still open. Get involved
We’d love more trainers, educators and hospitality businesses to try the resources and tell us what they think. Everything is free to access:
| Competence Framework and Curriculum: https://ecosmartproject.eu/competence-framework/ | Testing link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EcoSmartCompFrameworkandCurriculum |
| Open Educational Resources (seven training modules): https://ecosmartproject.eu/open-educational-resources/ | https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EcoSmartOERs |
- EcoSmart Self-Assessment Tool: https://thevisionworks.brilliantassessments.com?external=Eco-Smart-Hospitality_ENG
- Knowledge Sharing Hub: https://ecosmartproject.eu/knowledge-sharing-hub/
Explore them, use them with your learners or your team, and share your feedback with us. You can also follow the project on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.