Interreg Italy-Croatia – WineGuard project

Project title: Empowering Cross-Border Agricultural Education for
Pesticide Reduction through Digital Monitoring Tools

Pesticides used in agriculture often spread beyond their intended targets, contaminating air, soil,
surface water, and groundwater. This pollution poses risks to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human
health. A 2024 report by the European Environment Agency revealed that up to 36% of monitored
sites in Italy and Croatia showed pesticide concentrations above safety thresholds. In the Adriatic
region, where sea currents and winds quickly disperse pollutants across borders, this represents a
shared environmental threat. Agricultural sectors such as viticulture are among the primary
contributors. Yet, new digital tools—like sensors, environmental monitoring stations, and Decision
Support Systems (DSS)—can significantly reduce pesticide use, by up to 32% (Fouillet et al., 2022).
However, adoption by small-scale farmers remains limited, often due to a lack of digital skills or
access to training. This project addresses the issue by involving agricultural high schools from Italy
and Croatia in a cross-border educational programme. It promotes responsible pesticide use through digital innovation, targeting the next generation of farmers. Students will gain practical experience in using smart farming tools to monitor local environmental conditions and make informed decisions, reducing reliance on pesticides. The initiative is implemented in areas of high wine production value such as the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain and the Euganean Hills Biosphere Reserve—making them
ideal test sites for sustainable practices. The educational model is based on service-learning,
combining theoretical knowledge with community-based environmental projects. This method
fosters critical thinking, active citizenship, and civic responsibility. The project also supports teachers
through training in innovative teaching methods, while creating strong links with local stakeholders—
farmers, SMEs, and authorities. Through study visits, workshops, and awareness campaigns, schools
will exchange knowledge and good practices across borders.
As the first initiative of its kind involving secondary schools in this cross-border area, the project fills
a gap left by existing EU programmes, which mainly target universities or large agricultural
enterprises. It directly supports EU priorities on green and digital skills, modernisation of vocational
education, and the environmental objectives of the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme. By engaging
youth, promoting digital solutions, and fostering transnational cooperation, the project offers a
replicable model for reducing pesticide use and protecting the Adriatic environment.