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Month: February 2025

Building Digital Skills for an Inclusive Europe: 23 National Coordinators unite for All Digital Weeks 2025 campaign

All Digital is proud to announce the participation of 23 National Coordinators, members of its network, from 22 countries across Europe in the All Digital Weeks 2025 campaign, reinforcing the collective effort to empower people with digital skills and drive Digital Inclusion across the continent.

CARDET together with Cyprus Computer Society are pleased to be nominated as national coordinators for the All Digital Weeks 2025 in Cyprus.

Running from 17 March to 4 April 2025, All Digital Weeks is Europe’s leading Digital Inclusion and empowerment campaign, bringing together thousands of organisations, trainers, and learners in a shared mission to equip citizens with essential digital competences.

This year’s campaign will focus on “Educated Digital Citizens”, emphasising that all Europeans should face digital transformation with confidence, equipped to participate in connected, responsible, and informed ways. Additionally, the All Digital Weeks 2025 aligns with the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025, a Council of Europe initiative.

Why All Digital Weeks 2025 Matters?

As assessed by Europass, 90% of jobs require at least a basic level of digital skills to be performed, and with 44% of Europeans still lacking basic digital skills, bridging the digital divide has never been more urgent. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of digital skills for personal and professional development.

The campaign will launch on 17 March with a European policy event in Brussels, themed “Enhancing your digital skills for employment, citizenship and sustainable competitiveness,” where policymakers, industry representatives, and digital education experts will debate our shared digital future. The All Digital Weeks campaign will also feature hundreds of local events, training sessions, and online activities across Europe, coordinated by the national coordinators. These events will be displayed on the interactive map of events. The campaign will close with an insightful event welcoming some national coordinators to showcase success stories in their countries.

A Europe-Wide Effort for Digital Empowerment

Through a joint approach to digital empowerment, we will join the other 22 National Coordinators to play a key role in mobilising organisations, communities, and individuals at the grassroots level, ensuring the campaign reaches as many people as possible.

During these weeks, we will be running a series of workshops, events, information sessions, and meetings to engage, inform, and collaborate with key stakeholders. These activities will provide valuable insights, foster meaningful discussions, and support the campaign’s goals.

Statement of All Digital CEO

“We are thrilled to see such strong engagement from our network for All Digital Weeks 2025,” stresses David Mekkaoui, CEO of All Digital. “In a rapidly evolving digital world, equipping citizens with the right skills is essential for inclusion, participation, and opportunities. This campaign highlights our collective commitment to building a digitally inclusive Europe and addressing the alarming fact that 44% of Europeans still lack basic digital skills.”

Get Involved!

All Digital Weeks 2025 is open to everyone—organisations, educators, policymakers, and citizens alike. To participate, organise an event, or explore learning opportunities, visit: www.alldigitalweeks.eu.

Join the conversation online using #AllDigitalWeeks and help us build a more inclusive digital future for all!

About All Digital

All Digital is a leading pan-European association based in Brussels, representing member organisations across Europe that work to enhance digital skills and competences of all people, making them aware and capable to foster their employability, access and user online services and be included in today’s society, with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life.

All Digital represents digital education stakeholders, such as digital competence centres, adult education centres, community centres, schools, libraries and their networks across Europe where young people and adults can access training and support to improve their digital skills and keep up to date with the latest technological developments, to exploit the opportunities of digital transformation.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrea Bedorin
Communications Manager, All Digital
andrea.bedorin@all-digital.org

Green Up Yourself Project Celebrates Successful Conclusion with International Conference in North Macedonia

The Green Up Yourself project proudly marked its successful conclusion with a final international conference held in North Macedonia on February 11. This pivotal event, attended by over 40 participants, highlighted the project’s significant achievements in promoting green entrepreneurship among Europe’s youth.

Throughout this journey, the Green Up Yourself initiative has effectively developed and implemented an innovative online platform designed by CARDET and includes specialised learning modules that equip young people with crucial skills and knowledge for succeeding in green entrepreneurship.

Conference Highlights:

  • Showcasing the Online Learning Platform: The event featured an in-depth presentation of the online platform, emphasizing its educational impact and user-friendly design.
  • Celebrating Success Stories: Participants shared their transformative experiences and the practical benefits gained from the project, illustrating the positive change and empowerment fostered by the initiative.

For more details, please visit the project website: Green Up Yourself Project Website

SHOREWINNER Project: Blue Energy Summit & 2nd General Assembly Meeting Advancing Offshore Renewable Energy

On February 13, 2025, the Blue Energy Summit 2025, a premier event dedicated to offshore renewable energy, successfully brought together over 65 industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academics at the Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. This hybrid event explored the latest advancements and future opportunities in offshore energy development.

This summit marked a significant milestone as the first thematic conference of the EU-funded project SHOREWINNER, reinforcing its role in advancing offshore renewable energy through innovation, collaboration, and policy development.

The summit commenced with an Opening Ceremony led by representatives from UNIVPM and P.PORTO, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.

Lorenzo Occhineri from Fastventus Solutions LTD delivered the keynote address, “The Evolution of Offshore Wind Turbines: From 3 MW to 20+ MW – Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future”, emphasizing strategies to enhance offshore energy scalability and sustainability.

Experts provided insights into Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across Europe (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Portugal), highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen skill development and drive innovation in offshore energy.

The session featured an in-depth discussion on current trends and future pathways in Offshore Renewable Energy, with leading researchers and industry professionals sharing expertise on sustainable energy solutions.

A crucial industry challenge, workforce development, upskilling, reskilling, and mental health support, was also addressed, emphasizing the need for a resilient and well-prepared workforce to propel the blue energy sector forward.

The Blue Energy Summit 2025 successfully fostered critical discussions, strengthened partnerships, and set a clear agenda for the future of offshore renewable energy. As stakeholders continue to collaborate, the summit’s outcomes will play a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient offshore energy solutions worldwide.

On the following day of the conference, February 14, 2025, the project’s partners held their 2nd General Assembly Meeting, where the CARDET team, as the project’s dissemination leaders, presented the outcomes of the 3rd Meeting of the Communication and Dissemination Committee (CDC), focusing on enhancing outreach and impact strategies for blue energy innovations. During the meeting, partners reviewed Dissemination Actions from March 2024 to February 2025. Key discussions included updates on ongoing initiatives, upcoming tasks and events, a review of the dissemination log, action plans for each partner, and the next meeting schedule, along with miscellaneous agenda items.


For more information regarding the SHOREWINNER Project, please visit the website here.

Webinar Highlights: “PartnerUp & Beyond – Upskilling and Reskilling for the Future”

On Wednesday, 12 February 2025, stakeholders, policymakers, and education professionals convened online for the final webinar of the PartnerUp Project, titled “PartnerUp & Beyond: Upskilling and Reskilling for the Future”. The event highlighted the crucial role of collaboration in addressing Europe’s evolving educational needs in the context of digital transformation and the green transition.

The webinar focused on innovative strategies for lifelong learning and cross-country cooperation, showcasing how collective efforts can create meaningful solutions to skills development challenges. The PartnerUp Project was celebrated as an example of successful partnerships that are helping to bridge skills gaps and drive progress across sectors.

The keynote speech, “The Importance of Adult Education in Europe”, was delivered by Ms. Klara Engels-Perenyi, Policy Officer for the Skills Agenda at the European Commission, setting the tone by reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to fostering upskilling and reskilling programs. Speakers highlighted evidence-based approaches to skill development and how the PartnerUp Project aligns with EU priorities to transform education systems. 

Key project results and milestones were presented, showcasing its contribution to closing the skills gap across sectors and improving workforce readiness for future challenges. Within this framework, Ms. Tina Mavrič, Head of Capacity Building at EAEA, delivered a presentation titled “PartnerUp: Empowering Growth Through Upskilling & Reskilling in the EU”.

A dynamic panel discussion focused on the driving forces behind the increasing need for upskilling in Europe, including technological advancements and environmental sustainability goals. Panelists, including Ms. Antonela Marjanušić, Project Manager at Adult Education Institution Dante; Ms. Ruby Cooney, Education Projects Officer at AONTAS; Prof. Alexis Kokkos, President of the Hellenic Adult Education Association; Mr. Didzis Poreiters, Department Director at the State Education Development Agency (VIAA); and moderator Dr. Xanthia Aristidou, Senior Project Manager – Researcher at CARDET, discussed how the PartnerUp Project has addressed these needs, particularly through cross-country collaboration. Panelists shared insights into how collaborative efforts within the PartnerUp Project have resulted in innovative approaches to skill development and training across different sectors and countries.

The webinar also addressed how to ensure inclusivity in upskilling initiatives, with a focus on providing access for marginalized communities, workers with disabilities, and individuals in remote areas. Best practices for overcoming these challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of skills programs were shared with participants.

In the closing remarks, speakers reflected on the future of upskilling in Europe, discussing how EU funding and policy frameworks continue to drive innovation and support collaborative projects. The PartnerUp Project was celebrated as a model of successful collaboration, providing valuable lessons for future initiatives aimed at fostering lifelong learning across Europe.

Attendees left with actionable insights on how to continue championing collaboration and lifelong learning, ensuring that educational solutions remain responsive to evolving challenges.

You can watch the full webinar on YouTube here.

Learn more about the PartnerUp Project, here.

New Erasmus+ Project ACT4DYS Launches in Porto to Empower Youth and People with Disabilities for Sustainable Cities

On February 11, 2025, the kick-off meeting for the Erasmus+ project, ACT4DYS – Empowering People with Disabilities and Youth to Act for Sustainable Cities, took place in Porto, Portugal. Hosted by Proportional Message, the event brought together project partners CARDET (Cyprus), Proportional Message (Portugal), Innovation Training Center – ITC (Spain), Spectrum Research Centre – SRC (Ireland), and the European Disability Forum AISBL (Belgium) for their first in-person collaboration.

The meeting was a success, providing a valuable platform for the partners to align on the project’s vision, target audiences, and strategic approach. Key discussions centered on planning activities and defining the expected outcomes to support youth workers and young people, particularly those with disabilities. The initiative will tackle urban mobility challenges and climate change, with a focus on awareness, accessibility, and inclusivity.

ACT4DYS aims to empower youth to contribute to sustainable and inclusive urban environments, fostering climate action while enhancing the quality of life for individuals who rely on alternative transportation options. Partners expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to this meaningful project, looking forward to driving positive change in communities across Europe.

Stay tuned for more information and activities from this exciting new project!

UxGE Project: Youth Debate Sparks Dialogue on Climate and Sustainability at GC School

On February 10, 2025, CARDET organized an engaging youth debate at GC School in Nicosia, Cyprus, as part of the UxGE Project, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Facilitated by CARDET Researcher and Project Manager Alexandros Ioannou Peletie, the event brought together 20 enthusiastic participants, including high school students and youth leaders, to explore pressing environmental issues through active discussion and reflection.

The activity began with an introduction to the UxGE project, outlining its goals and the upcoming stage of participatory proposals. Participants were guided through theoretical content covering topics such as climate change, ecotourism, and the balance of responsibility between governments, communities, and individuals.

The core of the session featured a dynamic debate, where participants physically positioned themselves along a spectrum of agreement or disagreement in response to provocative statements or questions, such as:

  1. “Climate change is not real!”
  2. “Would you support laws that limit certain personal or community activities (e.g., banning single-use plastics, restricting fishing or farming) for environmental protection?”
  3. “Would you support banning (eco)tourism in areas of endangered species?”
  4. “Do you think technology (e.g., apps, AI, virtual experiences) can enhance ecotourism without harming the environment?”
  5. “Should tourists visiting protected natural areas pay a fee to enter environmentally protected areas (e.g., AKAMAS)?”

This interactive format encouraged open dialogue, allowing participants to express their views, challenge assumptions, and collaboratively reflect on sustainable solutions.

To conclude, participants shared feedback and completed an evaluation questionnaire, with many expressing a newfound awareness of their role in environmental stewardship. The event successfully fostered critical thinking and empowered youth to take an active role in shaping a greener, more sustainable future.

Learn more about the UxGE Project, by visiting its website here!

Primacenters Project Successfully Launches Kick-Off Meeting in Greece: Advancing Migrant Socio-Economic Integration in the EU Primary Sector

Primacenters is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting the socio-economic integration of migrants in the EU primary sector. The project officially commenced with a successful kick-off meeting hosted by the Region of Peloponnese in Vrachati, on January 14-15, 2025. Co-funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement Number 101140836), this ambitious project brings together a diverse partnership of organisations from Greece, Germany, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, and Belgium, under the leadership of the Region of Peloponnese.

The kick-off meeting brought together representatives from partner organisations, including the Region of Peloponnese, Headway S.A., CARDET, Cyprus Labour Institute, Land Impresa Sociale, Confederacion Espanola de Cooperativas de Trabajo, KMOP Policy Center, as well as the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission.

The meeting was attended and addressed by the Head of the European Programmes & Innovation Office and Regional Councilor of Peloponnese, the Deputy Regional Governor of Corinth, and the Deputy Regional Governor of Public Health. The discussions focused on setting the foundation for the Primacenters Framework, designed to address the unique challenges migrants face in the primary sector, such as skills gaps, exploitation, and limited access to essential support services.

Key Objectives of the Primacenters Project:

• Establishing Primacenters in Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus to act as hubs for training, job placement, and rights advocacy for migrant workers.
• Enhancing skills recognition and providing tailored support to bridge language, professional, and social gaps.
• Promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, NGOs, employers, and local communities to foster inclusive networks.
• Developing innovative mechanisms and tools to streamline the integration process, including training programs, job-matching services, and cultural initiatives.

The project also aims to create policy recommendations for effectively integrating migrant workers, drawing on lessons learned during its implementation.

The Primacenters initiative represents a vital step toward addressing systemic issues in the primary sector, empowering migrants while supporting sustainable economic growth in rural and local areas. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it seeks to create a model for migrant integration that can be replicated across Europe.

For more information, please visit the website here.

Youth-Well Project: Successful Completion of Competency-Building Training

From January 21st to January 23rd, the Youth-Well project successfully hosted a Transnational Competency-Building Training in Belgrade, Serbia. Organized by our partners at WEBIN, the event brought together youth workers from various regions to enhance their skills and share best practices in an interactive and international learning environment.

The training sessions introduced participants to key resources developed in earlier phases of the project, including the Training Package and the Youth Worker’s Manual. These materials provide valuable insights into fostering resilience, mental well-being, and active citizenship among young people, equipping youth workers with the necessary skills to effectively support and mentor the next generation. Through dynamic discussions, group exercises, and hands-on activities, attendees deepened their understanding of effective youth engagement strategies and innovative approaches in the field.

Participants also had the opportunity to collaborate on real-world case studies, applying their newly acquired knowledge to practical scenarios. This hands-on approach allowed them to test strategies, receive feedback, and refine their methods in a supportive environment, further strengthening their competencies as youth workers.

The event provided an excellent platform for collaboration, networking, and professional growth, reinforcing the commitment to empowering youth workers with the tools and knowledge needed for impactful engagement. See the highlights of the event in two parts here: PART1 and PART2

For more details and to access the training materials, visit our project’s eLearning platform

Stay tuned for more updates and future training opportunities! Visit the Youth-Well Project website here!

Choose-life Project Kicks Off in Palermo, Italy

Choose-life Project Kicks Off in Palermo, Italy

The Choose-Life Project officially launched with a kick-off meeting held on the 15th and 16th of January, 2025, in Palermo, Italy. Representatives from the consortium gathered to outline the project’s ambitious mission of addressing youth drug abuse by promoting psychosocial well-being, education, and inclusion. Focused on marginalized youth aged 14-18, the initiative aims to provide preventive strategies, empower young people, upskill youth workers, and engage policymakers in fostering supportive social welfare policies.

Tackling Youth Drug Abuse in Europe

Youth drug abuse presents significant challenges across the project’s consortium countries, including Italy, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and Belgium. These countries face a variety of social and economic factors contributing to substance dependency among vulnerable youth populations. Marginalized groups, particularly those affected by poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to education, are at the highest risk. The Choose-Life Project seeks to tackle these challenges through tailored, evidence-based strategies that address the specific needs of each region while fostering a unified approach to youth empowerment.

Key Objectives and Work Packages

During the meeting, consortium members outlined the project’s key objectives and work packages, which include:

  • Research and Context Analysis: Understanding the specific needs of each region, and discussing several objectives, general overview of work packages, expected activities and results.
  • Capacity-Building for Youth Workers: Upskilling professionals working with young people.
  • Pilot of Innovative Preventive Measures: Testing new strategies to reduce drug abuse.
  • Youth Networks and Advocacy: Engaging young people in advocating for social welfare policies.
  • Communication Campaigns: Raising awareness about the risks of substance dependency and youth health literacy.

These efforts will be supported by robust quality assurance measures (WP6), led by CARDET, which will develop tools and indicators to evaluate the project’s impact and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Delivering Tangible Results

A central aspect of the initiative is its focus on delivering tangible results. These include:

  • Toolkits for Youth Workers: Practical resources to support youth workers in their day-to-day roles.
  • Policy Recommendations for Governments: Advocacy for the development of supportive policies.
  • Pilot Programs: Engaging young people directly in all partner countries.

The piloting phase will provide a critical opportunity to test and refine intervention strategies in real-world scenarios, ensuring their effectiveness and adaptability. By the project’s conclusion, Choose-Life aims to leave a lasting legacy of improved psychosocial well-being, reduced substance dependency, and stronger support networks for marginalized youth.

Grassroots Impact: Visits to Local Organizations

As part of the kick-off meeting, participants visited two local organizations in Palermo, SOS Ballarò and Porco Rosso, that exemplify grassroots efforts to promote social inclusion and empower vulnerable communities. These visits offered valuable insights into the challenges faced by marginalized youth and reinforced the importance of community-based solutions.

A Unified Approach for a Brighter Future

The Choose-Life Project, with its multi-faceted approach and commitment to collaboration, sets a strong foundation for addressing one of Europe’s most pressing social issues and creating a brighter, more inclusive future for young people.

Learn more about the Choose-Life Project by visiting the project’s website here.

Choose-life: Implementing a Drug-(ab)use Prevention Program & Shaping Youth Policies with Disadvantaged Young People for Psychosocial Well-being Promotion

The rise in social challenges, particularly affecting vulnerable youth, highlights a gap in social policy implementation, especially in providing supportive services and educational opportunities outside traditional settings. Drug abuse remains high across the EU, it prompts a crucial consideration regarding whether to continue criminalizing and further marginalizing young people engaged in such risky behaviours, or to first seek understanding of the underlying reasons. The Choose-life project aims to conduct a drug-ab(use) prevention program though a biopsychosocial lens & advocate for inclusive social policies for/with disadvantaged youth, while empowering youth workers, building better life chances and encouraging mindful choices.

The development of the Choose-life toolkit will include healthy leisure practices for young individuals with fewer opportunities. At the same time, youth workers social workers and educators will also be involved and trained through the Choose-life Curriculum and Manual. Young participants will have the opportunity to join capacity-building activities, trainings, job shadowing opportunities and to be part of the local Youth Choose councils in Italy, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and Belgium. People aged 13-18 years old will have the opportunity to be part of an International Youth-camp in Poland.