Month: December 2025

Marinos Papaioakeim, CARDET: Empowering Civil Society through EUPP5 Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 10/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

In view of the forthcoming assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by the Republic of Cyprus, CARDET research center is assuming a central role as National Coordinator of the EUPP5 (EU Presidency Project 5). Through this initiative, the active participation of Civil Society is strengthened and the alignment of national priorities with European initiatives is ensured.

Dr Marinos Papaioakeim, CARDET’s Strategic Partnerships and Development Lead, speaks about the project’s ambitious goals, its key actions, and the organisation’s pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable Europe.

1. What EUPP5 project is, and why CARDET has taken on such an important role in its implementation?

The EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5) is a civil-society led initiative, co-funded by the European Commission, running under the Trio Presidency of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus (2024-2026). Its ambition is to promote inclusive and sustainable international partnerships, giving voice to civil society organisations (CSOs) across Europe and beyond, while increasing public and political awareness of the EU’s global role, especially the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From CARDET’s side, we are honoured to serve as the National Coordinator for Cyprus. In that role, we lead national coordination, facilitate stakeholder dialogue, mobilise civil society locally, and link Cyprus efforts to the broader, Europe-wide EUPP5 consortium, led by CONCORD Europe.

2. What are the key objectives of EUPP5, and which of them are particularly important for CARDET and Cyprus?

EUPP5 has several core objectives. Among them: enabling civil society to shape inclusive EU partnerships; ensuring that the EU and its Member States engage in meaningful, co-responsible international cooperation; and enhancing awareness and reflection on the EU’s global role and development agenda. For CARDET and Cyprus, it is especially significant that EUPP5 fosters an environment where civil society organisations, youth, professionals, public bodies and the general public can engage meaningfully in discussions about Europe’s global role. This inclusive engagement model aligns closely with CARDET’s mission around sustainable development, social justice, education and civic participation.

3. What are some of the concrete activities and mechanisms through which EUPP5 will work, and what role will CARDET play in these?

EUPP5 will pursue a variety of activities: public awareness campaigns, workshops, debates and events; opportunities for civil society, including a Small Grants Scheme for CSO-led initiatives; Brussels study visits; and policy events on themes such as sustainable development, global cooperation, civic space, green transition, and the SDGs. As national coordinator, CARDET will facilitate stakeholder engagement in Cyprus: convening CSOs, public bodies, youth organisations, academia and other actors, supporting grant applications, organising events and capacity-building initiatives, and ensuring that Cyprus’ voice and civil-society’s perspectives are fed into the broader EUPP5 and European-level processes.

4. What does CARDET hope will be the long-term impact of EUPP5, both for Cyprus and for the broader European community?

Through EUPP5, CARDET aims to strengthen the role of civil society in shaping EU policies on development cooperation, sustainability, social justice, and global solidarity. For Cyprus, the hope is to create stronger civic engagement, more informed public discourse, and active participation of CSOs, youth and other stakeholders in shaping Europe’s international cooperation agenda. For Europe more broadly, EUPP5 seeks to foster a more inclusive, transparent and fair model of global partnerships, anchored in the values of democracy, sustainability and shared responsibility.

5. Why is CARDET an ideal partner for leading such an initiative? What strengths does the organisation bring?

CARDET brings a strong track record of research, education, sustainable development, capacity building, and civic engagement across different sectors in Cyprus and the wider Euro-Mediterranean region. In 2022, CARDET collaborated with the Commissioner for Citizens to develop the Republic of Cyprus’ National Strategy on Active Citizenship and Participatory Governance. This initiative strengthens democratic engagement, empowering citizens to shape their communities and contribute to a more inclusive society. Our experience with EU-funded projects and our network of civil society, academic institutions, public bodies and stakeholders make us uniquely positioned to coordinate a complex initiative like EUPP5. Moreover, our commitment to education, social justice and community development aligns perfectly with the aims of EUPP5. We believe that CARDET’s involvement ensures that the project’s design and implementation remain inclusive, transparent, and impactful for Cyprus and beyond.

To learn more about the EUPP5, please visit: https://cardet.org/eupp5/

This interview was published in English at the Policy Press & in Greek at the In Business News.

The European AELIA Project Launches a New Crowdsourcing Platform for Sustainability Initiatives

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 09/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

The European project AELIA, implemented in Cyprus by CARDET, the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, and the Unit for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD) of the Ministry of Education, has launched a new online crowdsourcing platform aimed at strengthening citizen participation and facilitating the exchange of ideas and collaboration on sustainability initiatives.

The platform is open to educators, citizens, local authorities, and community groups who wish to take practical action towards creating more sustainable schools, neighbourhoods, and communities. Through a user-friendly and interactive environment, users can create new sustainability initiatives, support existing actions, and communicate in real time through comments and discussions.

The platform encourages collaboration and networking by providing a space for the exchange of ideas and the collective implementation of projects related to environmental, social, and educational sustainability. It is available in four languages (English, Greek, Serbian, and Romanian) and remains open to users from around the world, who can create new initiatives or support those already in place.

In parallel, within the framework of the AELIA project, a series of online seminars (webinars) were delivered, offering guidance, practical advice, and examples of good practice for the design and implementation of sustainability actions at local and school level.

The crowdsourcing platform forms an integral part of AELIA’s broader efforts in Education for Sustainable Development. By promoting the exchange of knowledge, good practices, and innovative ideas, it supports the development of sustainable solutions that respond to the real needs of local communities. Through collaboration and active participation, AELIA contributes to empowering communities across Europe, promoting environmental protection, social responsibility, and sustainable education.

Learn more about the AELIA project: https://www.aelia-project.eu

CARDET Participates in Final RALExILA Conference and TPM in Brussels: Building the Backbone of Lifelong Learning

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 05/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

CARDET contributed to the concluding activities of the RALExILA project in Brussels on 3-4 December, participating in the Final Conference on Adult Learning and Education (ALE) Registries and Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) as well as the project’s Final Transnational Project Meeting.

Hosted at the Pullman Brussels Centre Midi and organised by the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), the Final Conference brought together representatives from European institutions, national authorities, social partners, employers, and adult learning stakeholders. The event explored the emerging landscape of digital infrastructures that underpin ILAs, emphasising the governance models and national registries required to support learner autonomy and skills development across Europe.

During the discussions, CARDET highlighted the importance of building transparent, interoperable national registries that can serve as trusted reference points for learners, providers, and policymakers. The organisation participated alongside key Cypriot stakeholders, including the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) and the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB). Their presence underscored the necessity of coordinated action among public authorities, employers, and training providers for establishing resilient lifelong learning ecosystems.

Expert contributions, including interventions from OECD, the European Commission, and consortium partners, addressed critical dimensions of the emerging systems for adult learning:

Interoperability and common standards, such as the European Learning Model, which are essential for ensuring the portability and recognition of skills across borders.
Quality assurance mechanisms, reinforcing that the value of national registries relies on the accuracy, reliability, and transparency of the information they contain.
Learner guidance and support, which remain indispensable for enabling adults to navigate opportunities within ILAs and broader adult learning frameworks.

The conference also provided a platform for EU-level dialogue on good practices, interactive workshops, and the presentation of initiatives that support future ALE policy and implementation. The following day, on 4 December, project partners convened for the Final TPM to review the project’s outcomes, sustainability pathways, and recommendations for advancing ILAs across Europe.

For further information on the RALExILA project and its outputs, please visit the project website at https://ralexila.eu/

Ageing Well final partner meeting final conference Paris CARDET

CARDET Concludes Successful Final Activities of the “Ageing Well” Project in Paris

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 04/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

CARDET proudly participated in the final Transnational Project Meeting and international conference of the Erasmus+ project “Ageing Well – Science-based habits of people who age well” on 26–27 November 2025 in Paris, hosted by E-Seniors.

The two-day event began with the final project meeting at E-Seniors’ headquarters, where partners reviewed key project results, discussed the final report, and finalized the Exploitation, Sustainability, and Quality Assurance Reports. Collaborative sessions ensured that all tasks were completed for the successful conclusion of the project. The day ended with a social dinner at Café Martin, fostering informal exchange and strengthened partnerships.

The following day, we joined the international conference at Club Senior Georgette Agutte, focusing on digital well-being, creative digital skills, and healthy ageing. The project’s platform and training modules were presented, showcasing practical tools that promote digital confidence, social connectedness, and active engagement among older adults. Partners engaged in discussions on online habits and healthy ageing practices, supported by English translation for cross-country exchange. The conference concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity to reflect on the project’s impact.

We are so proud to see that the material developed throughout the project will continue to promote active and healthy ageing across Europe. For more information about the project visit the website here.

Exploring Rural Creativity: MINEtour Reaches Key Milestones – Newsletter #4

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 02/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

The MINEtour project is nearing completion with several key milestones that strengthen rural youth participation in local tourism and cultural heritage promotion. Over recent months, the consortium successfully finalised and validated the MineTOUR Minecraft game, launched the Interactive Digital Map featuring local businesses, cultural sites, and nature trails, and delivered TikTok training sessions that equipped young people with creative digital storytelling skills. These achievements provide youth with practical tools to showcase their hometowns and actively engage in sustainable tourism initiatives.

As the project concludes, partners express sincere appreciation to all young participants and community stakeholders who contributed to its progress. The final round of Info Days marked another important milestone, offering an opportunity to present the latest tools, results, and resources to rural communities and youth-work professionals.

To explore the full story and access the project’s outputs, we invite you to download the latest MINETOUR 4 newsletter.

Download the Newsletter #4

Civic Champions: Cyprus Feedback Helps Shape New Indicators for Monitoring Civic Space Across the Region

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 01/12/2025. Posted in Project News.

A new set of indicators has been developed to monitor the environment in which civil society organisations operate across Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy. Drawing on the challenges highlighted within the Comparative Report and the Civic Champions Brochure, the indicators aim to capture the state of fundamental freedoms, the pressures faced by civil society, ongoing developments, and emerging threats. Particular attention is given to the experiences of individuals and groups targeted with physical, verbal, or digital attacks, including LGBTQ+ communities, migrants, and other marginalised groups.

Recent consultations in Cyprus, developed by CARDET, further informed the process, offering practical insights into how civil society data can be collected and presented more effectively. Participants stressed the need for clearer identification processes to ensure the credibility of survey responses and avoid distortions, noting that more detailed organisational information, such as official registration numbers, would strengthen the reliability of the dataset. They also highlighted the value of transparent participation figures, recommending that the total number of responding organisations be displayed once a minimum threshold is reached.

Suggestions emphasised user-friendly access to results, including the possibility for public institutions to view data without log-in requirements and the addition of filtering tools to explore specific issues, compare different groups, and assess the scale of incidents. Participants also recommended including an “Other” option in certain sections to allow for context-specific information not fully captured by the thematic categories.

To support longitudinal analysis, the briefings underscored the importance of incorporating previous years’ data. This would allow for year-to-year comparisons and the inclusion of questions focused on whether conditions had improved or deteriorated. It was also suggested that respondents be informed of the estimated completion time at the start of the questionnaire, improving clarity and user experience.

These contributions will help refine the emerging indicators, ensuring that they reflect real-world conditions while supporting evidence-based policymaking, stronger advocacy, and a more resilient civic space across the region.

Learn more about the Civic Champions Project here: https://cardet.org/civic-champions/