ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet

EU-AGRIWAY

Project ID: · 101319183

BHU EU-AGRIWAY

Project Core Information & Specifications

Project Title

EU Agri-Food Policies, Sustainability and Global Gateway: Implications for Coffee and Horticulture Value Chains in Ethiopia

Project ID

101319183

Programme

ERASMUS+ (Jean Monnet Actions in Higher Education - Modules)

Topic

ERASMUS-JMO-2026-HEI-TCH-RSCH-MODULE

Funding Agency

European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)

Host & Lead Institution

Bule Hora University (BHU)

About the Jean Monnet Module

This Jean Monnet Module introduces structured European Union (EU) studies to southern Ethiopia for the first time, bridging European governance and policy frameworks with local agricultural realities. Hosted by Bule Hora University (BHU)—located in the heart of the Guji and West Guji zones, one of Ethiopia’s premier coffee-producing regions—the project explores how EU agri-food regulations, sustainability mandates, and Global Gateway initiatives directly influence local coffee and horticulture value chains, rural livelihoods, and trade dynamics.Despite Ethiopia's strong economic and trade ties with the EU, formal EU studies remain largely absent from higher education curricula outside Addis Ababa. This project fills that critical gap by delivering tailored academic instruction, applied policy research, and multi-stakeholder dialogue within an agriculture-dependent, regional context.

Core Objectives

1. Curricular Innovation

Introduce multidisciplinary EU studies into Bule Hora University's academic programs, connecting global policy to regional value chains.

2. Capacity Building

Train students and young professionals across economics, agriculture, law, public health, and social sciences on EU trade standards, climate action policies, and sustainability requirements.

3. Applied Learning

Establish an Applied EU Policy Lab for practical simulations, real-world case studies, and policy analysis involving Guji coffee and horticulture systems.

4. Academic & Societal Impact

Foster institutional research, publish scholarly work, and facilitate dialogue between local farmers, cooperatives, civil society organizations, and policymakers.

5. Long-Term Sustainability

Create a dedicated European Union Studies Lab as a permanent academic resource hub at Bule Hora University.

Component	Target / Deliverable	Scope & Impact
Academic Teaching	9 EU-Focused Courses (115 teaching hours/year)	Reaching 75+ students annually across Economics, Agriculture, Law, Public Health, and Social Sciences over 3 academic years.
Applied EU Policy Lab	Real-world Case Studies & Simulations	Hands-on policy analysis and stakeholder dialogues focused on local Guji coffee and horticulture supply chains.
Research & Publications	3 Academic Publications	Peer-reviewed research investigating the impact of EU agri-food policies and sustainability standards on regional Ethiopian agriculture.
Dissemination & Outreach	Annual Conferences	Facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions among scholars, cooperatives, development actors, and government representatives.
Permanent Infrastructure	European Union Studies Lab	A permanent physical and digital resource hub providing access to EU treaties, trade policy documents, and research materials.

Strategic Significance for Bule Hora University

By hosting this Jean Monnet Module, Bule Hora University positions itself as a pioneering hub for European Union studies and agricultural policy research in southern Ethiopia. The initiative directly equips local graduates, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge needed to navigate changing European market requirements, compliance standards, and sustainable export practices.