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Month: December 2025

EPIC Curriculum Implemented Through Youth and Youth Worker Trainings in the Western Balkans

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Following the development of the EPIC Training Curriculum on Social Entrepreneurship and the completion of the Train-the-Trainer Workshop and Study Visit in Athens, Greece, the EPIC project advanced to its next crucial phase: the implementation of training activities at local level. These trainings translated the project’s educational resources and methodologies into practice, directly engaging youth workers and young people across the Western Balkans.

Project partners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo organised and delivered a series of training workshops tailored to two key target groups: youth workers, including professionals and representatives of youth organisations, and young people aged 15–30. The workshops were designed to apply a cascading training model, enabling participants who had graduated from the Training of Trainers (ToT) in Greece to transfer their knowledge, skills, and experience to their local communities.

The primary objectives of the training implementations were to enhance participants’ competencies in social enterprise management, effectively communicate the tools and methodologies developed during the earlier phases of the project, and adapt the EPIC Curriculum to local social and economic realities. Additionally, the workshops aimed to foster sustainable learning communities and strengthen connections among participants, encouraging long-term collaboration and peer learning.

Overall, the training activities reached 60 youth workers and 60 young people, generating high levels of engagement and enthusiasm across all target groups. While initial assessments revealed that many participants had a limited understanding of social entrepreneurship, often associating it primarily with philanthropy, the training sessions successfully shifted perspectives and built a solid foundational understanding of social enterprise principles. Participants also provided valuable feedback and constructive suggestions that will contribute to the further refinement of the EPIC Curriculum.

The training implementations marked a significant milestone for the project, successfully cultivating a culture of social entrepreneurship and inspiring a new generation of young people and youth workers to develop innovative, community-driven solutions for social change.

The EPIC Training Curriculum on Social Entrepreneurship aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of young people in the Western Balkans by equipping them with practical tools, knowledge, and resources to develop a social entrepreneurship mindset and skill set.

The EPIC project recognises the power of young people as drivers of positive social transformation. It seeks to empower youth workers and young people in the Western Balkans to become active citizens and social entrepreneurs by supporting them in identifying social challenges, developing innovative ideas, and transforming those ideas into sustainable social enterprises.

Aligned with the EU’s EaSI (2020) perspective, EPIC highlights the role of social enterprises in addressing social issues through civic engagement, particularly among disadvantaged groups. By promoting social entrepreneurship, the project contributes to reducing youth unemployment, fostering community development, and creating meaningful job opportunities in underserved social and environmental sectors.

The EPIC project specifically aims to:

  • Foster cooperation across regions through joint initiatives
  • Strengthen the capacity of organisations working with young people outside formal education
  • Support the development of quality youth work
  • Promote non-formal learning and active youth participation in society

More information about the project is available at: https://epic-project.eu/

EPIC Project Successful Pilotings and Workshops across the Western Balkans

EPIC Project Advances with Successful Pilot Workshops Across the Western Balkans

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The EPIC project has reached an important milestone with the successful pilot implementation of its newly developed EPIC Toolkits through a series of workshops held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo. The workshops brought together young people and youth workers to test, validate, and refine key project resources aimed at strengthening social entrepreneurship ecosystems.

The pilot workshops focused on two key outputs of the project:

  • Toolkit for Youth Workers, which equips educators and youth professionals with practical tips, guidelines, and strategies to mentor and support young social entrepreneurs.
  • Toolkit for Youth, offering hands-on tools and step-by-step guidance to help young people design, develop, and manage their own social ventures.

The main objectives of the pilot activities were to effectively communicate the content and methodologies of the toolkits, ensure their relevance to the specific social, economic, and cultural contexts of each country, foster sustainable learning communities among youth and youth workers, and collect structured feedback to further refine the resources.

Overall, the pilot implementations were highly successful and well received. Participants from both target groups demonstrated strong engagement throughout the workshops. Young participants highlighted the toolkits as a valuable foundation for initiating their own social entrepreneurship journeys, while youth workers emphasized how the resources addressed critical gaps in mentoring, counselling, and social impact measurement.

The workshops also provided valuable insights for the project team. Feedback and observations revealed that many participants had limited prior exposure to social enterprise concepts or national legal frameworks, underlining the importance of EPIC in introducing structured and accessible support mechanisms. Participants contributed constructive suggestions that will be used to further enhance the clarity, usability, and applicability of the toolkits.

Conclusions from the pilot phase confirmed that the EPIC Toolkits offer realistic and practical guidance for both youth and youth workers. At the same time, findings highlighted that their long-term impact will be further strengthened through continued capacity-building initiatives and broader institutional recognition of social entrepreneurship education.

The EPIC project continues to build momentum as it moves toward the next phases of curriculum development, training implementation, and dissemination, reinforcing its commitment to empowering young people as agents of positive social change.

Learn more about the EPIC project here.

VET4 Social Impact Training in Egypt and Palestine

VET4 Social Impact: EntreCoVE Training Programme Successfully Implemented in Egypt and Palestine

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The VET4 Social Impact project continues to make meaningful progress with the successful development and implementation of the Entrepreneurial Centres of Vocational Excellence (EntreCoVE) Training Programme, in Egypt and in Palestine.

The training programme was delivered through a blended learning approach, combining online sessions with in-person training activities to ensure flexibility, engagement, and practical learning outcomes. As part of the implementation process, the project consortium trained two local trainers, one from Egypt and one from Palestine, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools to deliver the programme within their local contexts.

Both national training implementations have now been successfully completed, marking an important milestone for the project and strengthening local capacity for entrepreneurial vocational education and training.

Stay tuned for upcoming updates on the program’s results, and long-term impact. For more information visit the website.

INNOVATE Project Successfully Concludes

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Erasmus+ funded INNOVATE project has officially come to an end, marking an important milestone in strengthening how innovation is planned and managed within adult education, vocational education and training (VET), and European Vocational Enterprises (EVEs). Throughout its implementation, the project has supported educators and organisations in embedding innovation as a structured and practical element of everyday work.

INNOVATE has delivered a comprehensive set of results tailored to organisations at different stages of their innovation journey. Key outputs include a White Paper outlining major challenges and future directions for innovation management in education and training, as well as a Self-Assessment Tool enabling organisations to reflect on current practices and identify areas for improvement. In addition, the Manual on Innovation Management provides step-by-step guidance for planning and managing innovation processes, complemented by a dedicated Training on Innovation Management to support skills development. A Trainers’ Guide has also been developed to assist educators and trainers in delivering high-quality innovation-related learning activities.

These results have contributed to strengthening planning, coordination, and decision-making around innovation among educators and VET professionals. By promoting a more structured and reflective approach to change, the project has supported quality enhancement and long-term organisational development. Collaboration between partners from several European countries further enabled the exchange of experiences and good practices, reinforcing shared learning at European level.

Although the project has formally concluded, its impact will continue. All INNOVATE results remain freely available online and can be used beyond the project lifetime to support training activities, organisational development, and professional learning in adult education and VET.

All project resources can be accessed at https://innovate-project.eu/. Stakeholders are encouraged to explore, download, and share the materials with colleagues and professional networks.

The partnership would like to thank all partners, educators, and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the INNOVATE project. The project leaves a lasting legacy of practical tools and knowledge to support innovation in adult learning and VET across Europe.

ACT4DYS ePortfolio Successfully Piloted Across Five European Countries

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The ACT4DYS ePortfolio was successfully piloted among youth workers, young people, and young persons with disabilities in Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal.

The piloting phase aimed to test, review, and validate the ACT4DYS ePortfolio ahead of its final launch, ensuring that its content, accessibility, usability, and relevance meet the needs of its target groups and align with the project’s objectives on disability-inclusive and sustainable urban development.

More specifically, the pilot sought to evaluate the quality of the ePortfolio’s content, its accessibility features, and overall user-friendliness, assessing its effectiveness in promoting inclusive and sustainable city practices. It also aimed to validate the innovative and replicable nature of the featured case studies across diverse contexts, while gathering structured feedback from different target groups to inform further improvements.

The initial goal was to engage 125 participants in the piloting process. This target was exceeded, with a total of 132 participants taking part: 55 youth workers, 43 young people, and 34 persons with disabilities.

Overall, the ePortfolio was very well received. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction and provided positive feedback on its content and approach. At the same time, valuable suggestions were shared, particularly regarding further enhancements to accessibility. The ACT4DYS consortium will integrate as many of these improvements as possible prior to the official launch of the ePortfolio, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and user-centred design.

Learn more about the project: https://act4dys.eu/

AGRITECH Consortium Meets in Hungary for Transnational Project Meeting

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The AGRITECH consortium recently met in Hungary for a Transnational Project Meeting, bringing together partners from across Europe to review progress and coordinate the next steps of the project. AGRITECH aims to transform agricultural education by integrating advanced technologies, innovative learning approaches, and modern management practices, responding to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

The meeting was organised to ensure effective coordination among partners, review ongoing work, and plan upcoming activities. Through open discussion and joint planning, partners aligned their efforts and reinforced collaboration across countries, sectors, and disciplines involved in the project.

During the meeting, partners reviewed progress across the different work packages and discussed the status of key deliverables. Particular attention was given to the development of the AgriTech Manager competence profile and the design of the learning ecosystem that will support future training and certification. The consortium also discussed the next phases of the project, including preparations for pilot activities, further development of the AGRITECH platform, training implementation, and upcoming policy-related outputs.

The face-to-face format of the meeting played an important role in strengthening shared understanding and ensuring quality and coherence across project activities. It also provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange between partners from education, research, and the agricultural sector, supporting a common vision for the project’s outcomes.

Looking ahead, the consortium will continue working closely on the implementation of planned activities and the delivery of upcoming milestones. Partners remain committed to coordinated action and regular communication to ensure the successful implementation of the project across all participating countries.

Learn more about the project: https://agritech-project.eu/ 

e-Protect Honoured at the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 Ceremony in Brussels

e-Protect Honoured at the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 Ceremony in Brussels

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 Ceremony, held on 8–9 December 2025 in Brussels and online, celebrated groundbreaking initiatives in education and digital learning. Among the awardees, e-Protect, a project by CARDET, was recognised for its transformative impact in empowering older adults to navigate the digital world safely.

Designed to equip older generations with the confidence and skills to protect their personal data online, e-Protect has already benefited more than 20,000 participants through its digital platform and tailored training materials. The project demonstrates that technology can be accessible and understandable for all, fostering digital inclusion across Europe.

The award was received on behalf of CARDET by Andreas Georgiou, Chief Operating Officer, who highlighted the project’s mission to make the internet a safer and more empowering space for older adults. e-Protect’s work will also be featured on the award’s website, Erasmus+ social media channels, the European Education Area portal, and the European School Education platform, showcasing best practices to educators and policymakers across Europe.

Learn more about the e-Protect project here!

Empowering Youth Voices Across Europe: Highlights from GET POLITICAL Newsletter #2

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The GET POLITICAL project continues to strengthen political literacy across Europe through research, exchange, and practical tools for youth engagement. Recent activities include the development of National and Transnational Political Posters, a comparative overview of political realities across partner countries, and the launch of the Booklet of Political Literacy Practices, a hands-on resource for youth workers and educators tested through national pilot sessions.

A key highlight of this period was the three-day Exchange of Political Literacy Practices in Kalamaria, Greece, bringing together partners, young people, and local authorities to explore Youth Councils and participatory strategies at municipal level. 

Learn more about the project, here: https://getpolitical-project.eu/ 

Discover the full story, insights, and what’s coming next in Newsletter #2, read the complete edition on our website.

MineTOUR Project Concludes with Innovative Digital Tools Empowering Rural Youth

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The MineTOUR project has reached a major milestone with the successful completion of its core activities, marking significant progress in supporting young people and rural communities through digital innovation in tourism promotion. 

Central to the project’s achievements is the finalization of the MineTOUR Minecraft game, an interactive educational tool designed to engage young people in exploring and promoting rural tourism. The game was introduced and tested during multiple Info Days and validation sessions across partner countries, providing opportunities for youth and local stakeholders to shape its final development through hands-on feedback. 

Another key outcome is the launch of the Interactive Digital Map, an online platform enabling users to highlight points of interest in their regions, from cultural sites and local shops to natural landscapes and walking trails. Contributions from all partner countries have resulted in a diverse and vibrant digital guide showcasing the richness of rural destinations. 

As part of its efforts to strengthen digital skills among young people, the project also delivered TikTok training sessions, equipping participants with the ability to create compelling short-form videos to promote their hometowns. This training supported youth in becoming active ambassadors, sharing local stories and increasing visibility for rural tourism through creative digital storytelling. 

The project concluded with a final series of Info Days presenting the latest results and tools to young people, rural communities, and youth-work professionals. Participants were encouraged to continue using the MineTOUR resources to foster sustainable tourism and support local development beyond the project’s official end. 

The consortium expressed its appreciation to all partners, educators, youth participants, and community members whose contributions were vital to the project’s success. 

Learn more by visiting the project’s website: https://minetour.eu/ 

INITIATION new project

ΙΝΙΤΙΑΤΙΟΝ Project: The official launch of a New Initiative for the Digital and Green Transformation of Higher Education

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ funded project INITIATION – dIgital traNsformatIon and green Transition of hIgher educATion InstitutiONs officially marked the start of a new international initiative supporting the digital and green transformation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, INITIATION brings together HEIs and organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Cyprus, and North Macedonia, under the coordination of a leading university from North Macedonia. The project adopts a whole-institution approach, strengthening institutional capacity to design and implement forward-looking strategies that integrate sustainability and digital innovation.

Over the course of the project, INITIATION will deliver a comprehensive set of capacity-building activities, including:

  • the development of Strategic Recommendations informed by state-of-the-art research and stakeholder engagement;
  • blended formal training programmes for more than 240 faculty members and academic leaders, focusing on green and digital competencies, strategic decision-making, and innovative learning design;
  • informal learning opportunities, such as virtual and in-person mobilities and job shadowing;
  • and student hackathons, engaging over 100 higher education students in developing digital and green solutions.

Through these activities, INITIATION aims to:

  • enhance the capacity of academic leaders to design and implement sustainable digital and green institutional strategies;
  • support faculty in developing interdisciplinary courses that embed green and digital skills;
  • improve students’ employability by equipping them with integrated competences relevant to the evolving labour market;
  • and establish participating HEIs in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina as regional role models in sustainable and digitally enhanced higher education.

The kick-off meeting provided partners with the opportunity to align on project objectives, implementation timelines, roles, and expected outcomes, setting a strong foundation for effective collaboration over the project’s lifetime.

CARDET is proud to contribute its expertise in research, education, and policy development to INITIATION and looks forward to supporting HEIs in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented higher education systems.

Stay tuned for more information!