Blended Intensive Programme MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED NATIVE BREEDS

Important Note: Students interested in this program have to apply to their home university according to the internal procedure. Student applications made directly to the hosting institution will not be considered.

General information

Course Title	Management of protected native breeds
Coordinating Institution	Križevci University of Applied Sciences
Partner Institutions	University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Faculty of Agriculture University of Azores Agricultural school and college MFR Iréo DE LESNEVEN
BIP Code	2025-1-HR01-KA131-HED-000339038-1
Description and objectives	The blended intensive programme (BIP) Management of protected native breeds, organized by the Križevci University of Applied Sciences,
Number of ECTS	5 (ETCS can be attributed to the following subjects: Principles of zootechnics, poultry breeding, cattle breeding, pig breeding, horse breeding, goat and sheep breeding)
Calendar	Physical component: 20 – 24 October 2025 at Križevci University of Applied Sciences Virtual component: 1- 17 October 2025 and 27 October – 14 November 2025
Number of participants	15 - 30
Mobility Costs	To be covered with Erasmus + grants of the sending institution
Contact	Valentina Papić (vpapic@vguk.hr) – Križevci University of Applied Sciences Tatjana Jelen (tjelen@vguk.hr) - Križevci University of Applied Sciences
Application	Nominations for the BIP will be sent to Valentina Papic (vpapic@vguk.hr) until 15 September 2025.

Pedagogical Information

Target group/Expected student profile	Students from the programs of studies: Agriculture, Zootechnic
Requirements/Academic background/Level of studies	As the course will be taught in English, it is expected that candidates have a B1/B2 level of English.
Enrolment	The selection will be made by the home university and nominations will be sent by 15 September 2025. Nominated students must be registered by their sending institution in the Beneficiary module.
Selection criteria	Participants must have minimal knowledge in the field of agriculture in zootechnics.

Structure of the course

Description of the virtual component	The virtual component will take place before and after the physical part in Križevci at Križevci University of Applied Sciences. This will be an opening session, introduction of participants and presentation of objectives and tasks led by a representative of the coordinating and partner institutions. During the session, participants will receive clarifications on the portfolios they will prepare during the course, and which will be assessed by the trainers.
Description of the physical component	The course will include sessions with specialist speakers from BIP partner institutions and host institutions, who will share good practices in the field of preservation of native breeds of domestic animals. Participants are expected to make short presentations of their institutions. Participants (students and staff) will also participate in workshops about preservation of native breeds of domestic animals in their countries in sufficient numbers and breeding structure, primarily through preservation in the original environment (in situ in vivo) and sustainable management systems and through ex situ (in vivo and in vitro) conservation programs (gene bank network).
Objectives:	To acquire general knowledge about: - storage and preservation of biological material of original breeds of domestic animals in the national network of gene banks in sufficient number and tissue structure, - maintaining the economic competitiveness of the original breeds of domestic animals and the economic reaffirmation of the original breeds that have lost their competitiveness economically in the past decades, - valuation, market positioning and promotion of native breeds of domestic animals and their products, - conservation of biodiversity and genetic diversity within and between domestic animal breeds - long-term in situ and ex situ conservation of native breeds of domestic animals through the implementation of breeding programs and conservation of biodiversity, - reintegration of native breeds of domestic animals into management systems and conservation of agricultural grassland ecosystems and protection of landscapes and biodiversity, especially habitat types, - supporting activities related to the preservation of native breeds of domestic animals and the establishment of a transparent system of competencies and responsibilities of all participants in its implementation - promoting cooperation at national and international level.
Methodology:	Lectures and workshops delivered by the faculty and non-faculty members from diverse institutions about the following topics: - preservation or increase of the number of native breeds of domestic animals in the traditional environment or by traditional breeding - improving the marketing and marketing of products of native breeds of domestic animals bred in a traditional environment or in the context of traditional practices - increase in the number of biological samples in gene banks, - conducting genetic characterization of breeds and testing for the purpose of their sustainable use, - preservation of centuries-old gene pool of original breeds.
Outcomes:	The BIP will have a digital platform on the website of the host institution. The digital platform will publicize results of individual work of participants and will be organized during the course under the supervision of the trainers.