Month: September 2024

HEARD Project Hosts Two Engaging Events on Mental Health and COVID-19 Challenges

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The HEARD project, dedicated to exploring the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on democratic dialogue, fundamental rights, and women’s experiences, recently organized two impactful events focused on mental health. The first event was held on July 18, followed by a second on September 27. Both events delved into the pandemic’s profound impact on mental well-being, with a particular emphasis on gender perspectives.

Experts and participants examined both the successes and gaps in Cyprus’ mental health response throughout the pandemic. Best practices were shared, while critical shortcomings were addressed, offering a holistic view of the island’s approach to mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.

To drive forward actionable solutions, the events also unveiled a series of forward-thinking policy recommendations, including:

Establishing ethical guidelines for equitable resource allocation during health crises
Creating collaborative networks to share mental health best practices
Ensuring protection for marginalized communities during emergencies
Advocating for universal access to psychological support
Strengthening nationwide mental health support systems
Prioritizing the mental health and professional development of women during pandemics
Integrating mental health initiatives into broader public health policies

These insightful discussions not only reflected on the lessons learned but also provided a roadmap for addressing future health crises. The events highlighted the critical role of mental health support, especially for vulnerable groups, and emphasized the importance of inclusive policies. The HEARD project continues to inspire meaningful conversations, shaping a more resilient and inclusive approach to mental health in times of crisis.

For more information about the HEARD Project, click here.

TUA project gathers young peoples interviews to develop a new toolkit

TUA Interviews Pave the Way for New Digital Toolkit for Youth with ASD/DS

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

We are thrilled to announce another significant milestone for the TUA (The Unexpected Artepreneur) project. Partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Portugal have successfully conducted a series of interviews with inspiring individuals who are using art and entrepreneurship to drive positive change in their communities.

These interviews featured young people with mental health disabilities who have turned to art for self-expression, artists who have used their craft to amplify their voices, and social entrepreneurs whose work serves as a model for those facing similar challenges.

The purpose of these interviews was to gather impactful stories, case studies, inspirational quotes, and best practices. These insights will be showcased in the upcoming TUA Digital Toolkit, a resource specifically designed for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS). The toolkit will offer essential guidance on using art and social entrepreneurship as powerful avenues for self-expression and social change.

The TUA Digital Toolkit will be an interactive, accessible resource aimed at empowering young people to channel their creativity into meaningful action. It will consist of three practical guides:

Guide 1: How to Become an Artist?
Guide 2: How to Express My Thoughts Through Art?
Guide 3: How to Become an Artrepreneur?

By combining art with social entrepreneurship, the toolkit will equip young individuals with the tools they need to become agents of change in their communities. Stay tuned for the release of this transformative resource by visiting the project’s website!

Successful Conclusion of the YOWO Project Meeting in Famagusta

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The YOWO (Young Workforce) project has reached a significant milestone in its mission to combat social exclusion among young people, especially graduates facing challenges in securing employment that aligns with their qualifications and aspirations. On September 26th and 27th, Famagusta, Cyprus hosted a pivotal event that brought together 19 participants from seven countries for a series of study visits, workshops, and final discussions as the project nears its completion.

Highlights of the Event

The gathering featured a workshop that highlighted the labor market experiences of young participants, facilitating an invaluable exchange of insights. Attendees also showcased the project’s outcomes and best practices to representatives from local, regional, national, and international institutions.

This multiplier event served not only to disseminate the project’s results but also to lay the groundwork for its sustainability phase. This ensures that the knowledge and initiatives cultivated during YOWO’s implementation will continue to support young men and women facing employment challenges. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all partners to pursue solutions that enhance youth employment and promote gender equality on both local and international scales.

Project’s Key Achievements and Objectives

Throughout its implementation, YOWO has focused on:

Identifying Challenges: Shedding light on the difficulties faced by young people in securing employment.
Fostering Dialogue: Encouraging discussions among partners from various European nations to develop common solutions.
Engaging NEETs: Involving young people who are not in education, employment, or training in initiatives designed to connect them with European policies and opportunities.
Advocating for Equality: Promoting equal opportunities in the labor market and addressing the gender gap that disproportionately affects women.

The project’s activities have successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, strengthened partnerships, and shared best practices to combat youth unemployment and labor inequality. For more information on the project visit its website.

UxGE Project Events Inspire Students to Tackle Environmental Challenges

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 27/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

On September 25, 2024, CARDET hosted a dynamic and educational event at Latsia High School as part of the “United for a Green Europe” (UxGE) project, under the Erasmus+ European Youth Together Programme. This event aimed to engage students with the goals of the UxGE project, which focuses on promoting sustainability and environmental awareness across Europe.

During the session, students were introduced to the project’s first major milestone—the “United for a Green Europe” Online Training Course. They were encouraged to explore the course and use its resources to deepen their understanding of pressing environmental issues. A lively “World Café” activity followed, where students discussed critical topics such as extreme weather events, plastic pollution, and overconsumption. Through interactive group discussions, they exchanged ideas about the causes and effects of these global challenges and brainstormed potential solutions. The activity fostered a sense of environmental responsibility and active citizenship, inspiring students to contribute to a more sustainable Europe.

On September 27, CARDET held a second event at Agios Antonios High School in Limassol, where students explored various modules of the Online Training Course, with a special focus on leadership. A fun Kahoot quiz added an interactive element, stimulating engagement and collaboration among the participants.

These two events marked important milestones for the UxGE project, with the September 25 event being the first Multiplier Event, showcasing the Online Training Course. The initiative reflects CARDET’s commitment to cultivating environmentally conscious youth and mobilizing collective action for a sustainable future.

Learn more about the UxGE Project here

INNOVATE Project Partners Meet in Helsinki to Advance SME Innovation Strategies

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 27/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

On September 24-25, 2024, the EU-funded INNOVATE Project convened its TPM4 partners meeting in Helsinki. This key milestone furthered the project’s mission to identify, develop, and promote innovative approaches for enhancing vocational education and training systems, with a focus on the ISO56000 innovation framework.

During the meeting, partners reviewed the progress of tools aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate innovation into their strategic planning. These tools are designed to foster sustainable growth and strengthen competitiveness in today’s dynamic marketplace.

As co-organizers and participants, the INNOVATE team reflected on their achievements and outlined the next steps to finalize and promote these solutions across various sectors. This meeting marks an important advancement in supporting sustainable business practices through innovation, aligning with the broader goals of the European Union.

In conjunction with the meeting, partners explored the various competences and skills that “Innovation Management” encompasses, which include:

Strategic Thinking: Identifying opportunities for innovation and aligning them with organizational goals.
Creativity and Problem Solving: Generating and implementing novel ideas and solutions.
Project Management: Planning, executing, and monitoring innovation initiatives.
Change Management: Facilitating and managing organizational change resulting from innovation.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering cross-functional and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with innovation.
Customer and Market Insight: Understanding customer needs and market trends to drive innovation.
Leadership and Vision: Inspiring and guiding teams towards innovative solutions.
Technological Competence: Leveraging emerging technologies for innovation.
Resource Management: Allocating and managing resources efficiently to support innovation efforts.

Additionally, the partners from the Helsinki Business College arranged an online casting of the Nordic Business Forum, happening live at the College during partners’ attendance. Participants had the opportunity to watch Adam Grant, a world-renowned bestselling author, discuss hidden potential and achievement, providing invaluable insights into personal and organizational innovation.

Find out more about the INNOVATE Project, here.

Anti-Rumours Workshop Explores Strategies to Combat Stereotypes and Discrimination

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 27/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

CARDET, hosted on September 26, at the Famagusta Avenue Garage, an impactful Anti-Rumours workshop. The workshop explored the detrimental effects of rumours in communities and provided participants with practical guidance and tools to challenge misinformation and counter stereotypes that feed discrimination and fuel hate, empowering them to promote a more inclusive, understanding society.

The keynote speaker, Dani de Torres, Director of the Spanish Network of Intercultural Cities (RECI), offered valuable insights into the anti-rumours methodology – a proactive approach, designed to combat stereotypes by challenging misinformation and fostering dialogue. He highlighted how this approach has been successfully applied in various contexts with diverse groups, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to address stereotypes and promote positive change within their communities.

The workshop was part of the broader Intercultural Cities (ICC) project “Enhancing Structures and Policies for Intercultural Integration in Cyprus”. This initiative is co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Commission. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Project Number: Council of Europe 2023-2024.

More information about the ICC project can be found here.

COSERE Study Visit Fosters Collegiality and Shared Leadership in Schools

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 16-20, 2024, the COSERE project held a study visit in Tbilisi, Georgia, co-organized by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development and CARDET. The visit aimed to enhance collegiality in schools by exploring best practices such as shared leadership and the concept of a critical friend.

Participants had the opportunity to visit schools in Tbilisi and Ilia State University, exchanging insights and observing how collegial support systems are implemented across various educational settings. This study visit marks another milestone in COSERE’s ongoing mission to transform educational environments by empowering educators and fostering a culture of mutual support.

Following earlier COSERE study trips to Ireland and Italy, this visit continues to advance the project’s vision of expanding collegial support across Europe. Engaging headteachers, educators, and key stakeholders, COSERE emphasizes peer collaboration, shared leadership, and mutual support—moving beyond traditional mentoring, coaching, and inspections.

For more information on the COSERE project and its upcoming initiatives, please visit the website here.

COSERE – Collegial Support for Resilience and Growth in Education

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Projects & Initiatives.

Collaboration is essential on all levels of our lives and this is why it has been named as a core future competence in the 4C model. Based on evidence, teachers may perform better when working together professionally, by forming learning and support communities. With collegial support being critical for resilience and growth in education, COSERE project seeks to establish the significance and the grounds of collegiality in education as a good practice of any contemporary school culture.

To be more specific, the project’s objectives are the following:

To identify the needs of educational leaders in their effort to enhance the culture of collegial support and peer-based learning in schools, in order to create a Handbook on how to sustain different forms of collegial support;
To enhance the understanding of various support forms and their impact on staff & school development, and to gain practical experience of using the diverse techniques and methods through a CPD course;
To share the best practices among consortium partners and deepen their knowledge.

Inclusive Hubs project concludes with the hybrid final conference

Inclusive Hubs Project Concludes in Finland with Final Conference

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The Inclusive Hubs project reached its conclusion with a final meeting and hybrid conference held on the 24th and 25th of September, hosted by Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland. This event brought together project partners and key stakeholders to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable strides made in advancing inclusion within schools across Europe.

The conference highlighted the project’s significant achievements, with partners presenting key outcomes. Teachers from various countries shared their firsthand experiences of working with migrant students and participating in the initiative. Notable keynote speakers included Dr. Lucie Cerna, Senior Analyst in Equity, Inclusion, and Transitions at the OECD’s Directorate for Education and Skills, and Pamela-Zoe Topalli, Policy Officer at the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

A dedicated panel on student and teacher wellbeing featured insights from a school psychologist, a school coach, and a representative from the Swedish Parent Association in Finland. This panel emphasized the critical importance of mental health and wellbeing for both students and educators in fostering inclusive educational environments.

We hope the insights and outcomes of the Inclusive Hubs project will continue to inspire and guide future efforts toward building inclusive education systems across Europe. To learn more about the project and access the learning materials developed throughout its course, click here.

RURACTIVE Partners Conclude Successful Third Meeting in Zamora, Spain

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 20/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 16th to 19th, 2024, the charming town of Zamora, Spain, served as the backdrop for the third RURACTIVE partners’ meeting. This gathering was a pivotal step in the project’s journey to invigorate Europe’s rural landscapes through innovation and technology.

The event unfolded over four days of intensive collaboration and exploration. The Steering Committee kicked off the meeting with a review of progress and strategic realignment. This was followed by Knowledge Transfer (KT) sessions and the General Assembly (GA), where partners united to exchange ideas and reinforce their commitment to rural development.

Highlights of the meeting included:

Sayago: Showcased the “Monitoring of the Elderly at Their Homes” IoT system and the “Vital Heartbeat” initiative, which uses public totems to advance rural healthcare.
Campos-Pan: Featured the “Crisol Labyrinth” Project, a creative hub for sculpture and education, and the “Comitas E-health” Project, offering telemedicine to alleviate long-distance travel for medical care.
Almendra: Highlighted a successful agroecology venture by a young entrepreneur, recognized with the European Commission’s “Rural Inspiration Award” for its impact on local agriculture.

The meeting was hailed as a success, leaving participants enthusiastic and well-prepared to continue driving positive change in rural communities across Europe.

Discover more about the RURACTIVE Project here.