Evaluation mission concludes first MOBILISE Mobility Program in the Netherlands 

From the 22nd to the 27th of September, an internal evaluation mission was conducted in the Netherlands to mark the conclusion of the first MOBILISE mobility program, aimed at providing international trainees with hands-on horticulture experience. For the occasion, Dr. Ali Elshereif, KFS Project Coordinator, and Dr. Rym Ben Sliman, ISACM Project Coordinator, joined MSM Project Director, Dr. Ir. Huub Mudde, and Project Manager, Mr. Stefano Locatelli, on a series of field visits across the country. 

The mission aimed to assess the program’s overall implementation at the end of the mobility phase. The team visited host companies where trainees were placed to evaluate their experiences, working conditions, and housing arrangements. They also collected feedback from employers about the trainees’ performance and discussed potential collaboration for future intakes. 

The mission started with visits to various horticulture companies in Friesland, Flevoland, and Venlo region. The visited companies included a diverse group, from small organic farms producing different open-field crops, to large green-houses specialized in one or two vegetables, from seed-producing companies to trees or flower producers. 

Companies provided positive feedback on the trainees, praising their curiosity and engagement. Employers also shared insights on industry trends and challenges. 

The evaluation concluded with a workshop held in Bennekom from September 25 to 27, where all trainees shared their experiences and provided input for future program improvements. The trainees then returned to their home countries, accompanied by their national coordinators.