On 23 February 2026, partners and trainers of the EcoFarms4Prisons project gathered online for a follow-up meeting to reflect on the training activities and discuss the next steps for project implementation. The meeting brought together eight trainers and two partner organisations, creating an important opportunity to exchange experiences and collect feedback.
Using participatory dynamics, participants shared their reflections on both the training programme and the EcoFarms4Prisons MOOC. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive: all participants rated the overall training experience as “5 – perfect”, highlighting that the programme was a valuable learning experience.
When asked to summarise their key takeaways in three words, participants highlighted themes such as collaboration, teamwork, knowledge sharing, strategic vision and new opportunities. Other recurring reflections included “added value for prisoners”, “making connections”, and “diagnosis, vision and strategy”, showing the relevance of the training for professionals working with prison farming initiatives.
The evaluation of the MOOC platform was also very positive. Most participants rated it as “good, with some features that could be improved”, while many others described it as “perfect and very accessible.” These insights will support the consortium in refining the learning materials.
Participants also reflected on the main risks for implementing similar initiatives, identifying a lack of people and financial resources as the most probable challenges, while a lack of funding and institutional support were seen as the most impactful risks. Despite these challenges, the majority expressed confidence that the risks can be mitigated and that they will move forward with implementing their projects.
Finally, participants highlighted the value of continued collaboration within the EcoFarms4Prisons network. They emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise, sharing best practices and experiences across countries, and disseminating inspiring stories and project examples through communication channels such as newsletters.
The meeting reinforced the strong commitment of the consortium and trainers to advancing sustainable agriculture, rehabilitation and social inclusion through farming activities in prison environments.
