Program Overview

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Program Overview

The EMMA4EUPro Specialisation programme in sustainable and deforestation-free supply chains is an advanced training course designed to equip participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in deforestation-free supply chain (DFSC) management.

Program Description

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. The European Parliament passed the European Union (EU) Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) in 2023, requiring European companies to verify that forest-risk commodities (FRCs) placed on/exported from the EU market are “deforestation-free.” This course aims to bridge the skills gap between market demands and available expertise by training professionals capable of operating within the framework of the European Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products.

Formative Content

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.

Beneficiaries and Employment Opportunities

The course aims to train innovative professionals 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. English proficiency is required (suggested minimum level: B1). Competencies offered by the course include:

• 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.

Program Structure

The course consists of 125 hours of teaching activities, corresponding to 6 ECTS. Expert trainers and tutors will support students along the whole course, including for the 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 deforestation and forest degradation processes, international policies and regulations, technical tools and approaches for risk verification, analysis, and mitigation, and existing voluntary mechanisms.

Module 2

Explores the use of tools and technologies for monitoring, verification, traceability, and reporting in the management of deforestation-free supply chains.

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, where participants will develop specific project proposals related to deforestation-free supply chain management and will pitch about them at the end of the course.

Other Information

The course is offered as part of the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU Project (Innovation alliance for training programs for deforestation-free supply chains in Europe). 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.

Admission and Fees

Students who are regularly enrolled at partner universities of the Erasmus+ EMMA4EU project 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. The total enrolment fee for other participants is €547.50.

Key Details

• Thematic area: Health, environment, and territory
• End of classes: 31/10/2025
• Mandatory attendance: 80%
• Minimum available spots: 5
• Maximum available spots: 25
• Classes start: 25/08/2025
• Duration: One year
• Venue: Padua
• Language: English
• ECTS: 6
• Teaching method: Blended
• Pre-enrolment deadline: 28/07/2025