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Month: April 2026

ACT4DYS e-portfolio

The Launch of the ACT4DYS E-Portfolio

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

ACT4DYS E-Portfolio has officially been released. A key outcome of the project aimed at promoting disability-inclusive development and sustainable urban environments across Europe.

The ACT4DYS E-Portfolio is a dynamic, multilingual online resource showcasing innovative case studies, best practices, and effective approaches from across Europe. Designed for youth workers, young people, and policymakers, the portfolio highlights impactful initiatives in accessible transportation, inclusive public and green spaces, and the empowerment of youth in climate action.

Through its interactive case studies, users can explore practical examples and gain inspiration to adopt or adapt inclusive solutions within their own local contexts. The portfolio supports a shared European vision of cities that are more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive for all.

In addition, the E-Portfolio features five research infographics presenting key findings from the ACT4DYS project’s desk research and focus groups conducted between May and July 2025 in Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Belgium. These infographics capture national policies, good practices, and local perspectives on sustainable urban mobility, accessible public spaces, and disability-inclusive planning. The findings draw on European databases, national reports, and community discussions with young people, youth workers, and young persons with disabilities.

Discover practical tools and inspiring examples that contribute to building more inclusive and sustainable communities across Europe here.

Podcast – Civil society in Cyprus: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog, EUPP5 Blog.

Civil society in Cyprus is at a pivotal moment, balancing persistent structural challenges with emerging opportunities for meaningful impact. In a recent discussion on the Policy Talks podcast, Marinos Papaioakeim, Strategic Partnerships and Development Lead at CARDET, and Nadia Karayianni, Head of Business Development at CARDET, offer a nuanced assessment of the sector’s current landscape and future trajectory.

One of the key challenges identified is the limited institutional capacity and fragmented nature of civil society organisations, which often constrains their ability to influence policy-making effectively. Issues such as restricted funding streams, administrative burdens, and varying levels of public trust further complicate the operating environment. Despite these barriers, there is a growing recognition of the vital role civil society plays in fostering democratic participation and social cohesion.

At the same time, opportunities for growth are becoming increasingly evident. Enhanced collaboration between organisations, greater access to European funding mechanisms, and a gradual shift toward more participatory governance models are creating space for civil society to expand its influence. Strengthening civic engagement—particularly among younger generations—is highlighted as a critical factor in shaping more inclusive and responsive public policies.

A notable initiative discussed is the EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), a civil society-driven effort funded by the European Commission and implemented during the EU Council Presidency Trio of Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus (October 2024 – September 2026). The project aims to empower civil society actors, build capacity, and promote active involvement in decision-making processes at both national and European levels.

Looking ahead, the evolution of civil society in Cyprus will depend on sustained investment in capacity-building, stronger cross-sector partnerships, and a continued commitment to participatory dialogue. While progress is underway, the pace and depth of change will ultimately determine whether civil society can fully realise its potential as a driver of inclusive governance.

Watch the full podcast here.

The project “Towards an open, fair and sustainable Europe in the world – EU Presidency Project 2024-2026” is  co-funded  by the European Union and implemented by Global Focus, Grupa Zagranica, CARDET, and CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs working on sustainable development and international cooperation. Project Number: 2024 / 459-484. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of CARDET and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

CARDET Perma-Digital series of teachers training

Empowering Primary Educators in Cyprus to Foster Digital Wellbeing through PERMA-Digital

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET along with our partners from the Institute of Development and INNOVADE LI, have successfully delivered a series of training sessions focused on promoting digital wellbeing within and beyond school environments, grounded in the PERMA-Digital model.

A total of 56 primary education teachers and school staff from six schools across Cyprus participated in the trainings. The initiative addressed the increasingly relevant topic of digital wellbeing, equipping educators with practical tools and pedagogical approaches that can be directly applied in the classroom.

The training programme was structured across four sessions, covering:

  • An introduction to digital wellbeing and the PERMA-Digital framework, which integrates principles of positive psychology with the European DigComp and LifeComp frameworks
  • Practical ways to embed PERMA principles into teaching through digital tools and classroom activities
  • A whole-school approach to digital wellbeing, including the development of school vision and community engagement
  • The ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Suno, and NotebookLM in educational practice

Participants highlighted the relevance of the topic, the usefulness of the tools presented, and the value of exchanging ideas through interactive and collaborative activities.

The training series was recognised with the All Digital Weeks 2026 Award in the category of “Digital Wellbeing”.

Following the completion of the trainings, the project now moves into its next phase, where educators will implement the PERMA-Digital approach in their classrooms. Through this “learning by doing” methodology, teachers will work with their students to apply the principles in practice, monitor progress, and foster measurable improvements in students’ digital wellbeing.

To learn more about the project and all the updates visit its website.

EDUWELL Project logo CARDET

ΕDU-WELL: Advancing Ethical, Comparative and Interoperable Educational Data Systems through an Adapted Welfare Index Framework

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Projects & Initiatives.

EDU-WELL is an EU-funded project transforming how educational data is collected, shared, and used across Europe’s primary, secondary, and vocational education systems. By reframing education as a public welfare ecosystem, it moves beyond fragmented metrics toward a more integrated, equitable, and policy-relevant approach.

The project will develop the EDU-WELL Index to capture well-being and learning conditions, alongside a robust data governance framework and an interactive dashboard. Delivering tools such as an EU policy roadmap, EDU-WELL aims to improve data interoperability, strengthen well-being monitoring, and empower policymakers to build more inclusive, responsive, and future-ready education systems.

EDUwell kick off meeting in Brussels

Future-Proofing Education: The EDU-WELL Project Officially Kicks Off in Brussels

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of EDU-WELL, a transformative three-year digital initiative dedicated to Ethical & Interoperable Data Exchange for Well-Being and Learning. On April 7th and 8th, project partners gathered at the KMOP Policy Center in Brussels to set the wheels in motion for this ambitious journey.

Laying the Foundation

Led by KMOP Policy Centre, Brussels, the two-day kick-off meeting focused on aligning the consortium’s vision for a digital ecosystem where data serves the holistic needs of learners while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

The sessions dove deep into the project’s core technical and strategic pillars:

  • Data Ethics & Frameworks: ETHOS led discussions on WP2, focusing on the key decisions and structures required for ethical data exchange.
  • Logic & Integration: Partners HEADWAY and KMOP Policy Centre outlined the interconnected logic between WP3 and WP4, ensuring a seamless flow from theoretical frameworks to practical outputs.
  • Visibility & Impact: EMPHASYS unveiled the draft visual identity and logo proposals, sparking collaborative discussions on how to best communicate EDU-WELL’s mission to the wider educational community.

What’s Next?

Beyond the technical architecture, the meeting established robust coordination tools and financial guidelines to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability. As we move forward, the immediate focus shifts to:

  • Finalizing the Dissemination Plan and project visual identity.
  • Executing short-term priorities within WP2 (Data Exchange).
  • Strengthening partner contributions to ensure a diverse, multi-disciplinary approach to digital well-being.

Stay tuned as we begin this three-year mission to bridge the gap between digital innovation and student well-being!

EUPP5 Advancing Dialogue on Patients’ Rights in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in EUPP5 Blog.

A successful event was held as part of the EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), focusing on patients’ rights and current challenges within the healthcare system in Cyprus. The discussion explored ways to strengthen accessibility and equity, addressing key issues such as the cost of medication and gaps in mental health services.

Με επιτυχία πραγματοποιήθηκε η εκδήλωση που διοργανώσαμε, σε συνεργασία με την Κοινωνική Συμμαχία, στο πλαίσιο του EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5) και της σειράς “Open Dialogue Series”, με θέμα: «Δικαιώματα των Ασθενών στην Κύπρο».

Μέσα από τη συζήτηση αναπτύξαμε το πώς μπορούμε να ενισχύσουμε ένα πιο δίκαιο και προσβάσιμο σύστημα υγείας για όλους. Συζητήθηκαν οι δυνατότητες και τα όρια του ΓεΣΥ ως σημαντικής κοινωνικής κατάκτησης, αλλά και οι προκλήσεις που παραμένουν για τους ευάλωτους ασθενείς, όπως το κόστος φαρμάκων. Έμφαση δόθηκε επίσης στα κρίσιμα κενά στην ψυχική υγεία, με ανάγκη για περισσότερες υπηρεσίες, καλύτερη κάλυψη και οργανωμένες δομές αποκατάστασης και επανένταξης.

Θερμές ευχαριστίες στους ομιλητές:

• κα. Μαρίνα Νικολάου, Βουλεύτρια και Μέλος της Επιτροπής Υγείας της Βουλής

• κ. Ευτύχιος Παπαμιχαήλ, Γενικό Γραμματέα Ένωσης Κυπρίων Συνταξιούχων (Ε.ΚΥ.ΣΥ)

καθώς και στον συντονιστή της συζήτησης, κ. Κωνσταντίνο Κωνσταντίνου, Δημοσιογράφο, για την εξαιρετική καθοδήγηση του διαλόγου.

Ευχαριστούμε θερμά όλους όσοι παρευρέθηκαν και συνέβαλαν με τις παρεμβάσεις και την παρουσία τους σε έναν τόσο σημαντικό δημόσιο διάλογο.

EUPP5 Capacity Building Workshop Focuses on Sustainable Development and Just Transition

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in EUPP5 Blog.

As part of the EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), a Capacity Building Workshop on Sustainable Development and Just Transition was successfully held at the Cyprus University of Technology. Participants explored key principles of sustainability, EU priorities for a just transition, and the socio-economic implications of green policies, while also highlighting the role of civil society in promoting inclusive and sustainable transformation.

Στο πλαίσιο του ευρωπαϊκού έργου EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), πραγματοποιήθηκε με επιτυχία ακόμη ένα Capacity Building Workshop με θέμα τη «Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη & Δίκαιη Μετάβαση», στο Τεχνολογικό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου.

Κατά τη διάρκεια του εργαστηρίου, η εκπαιδεύτριά μας, Μαρκέλλα Παπανικολάου, σε συνεργασία με τους Μαρίνο Παπαϊωακείμ και Κων/νο Σουρουλλά Ερευνητές και Διαχειριστρές Ευρωπαϊκών Προγραμμάτων στο CARDET, παρουσίασαν: τις βασικές αρχές της βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης και την ατζέντα της ΕΕ για τη Δίκαιη Μετάβαση, τις προτεραιότητες της κλιματικής πολιτικής και τις πράσινες δεξιότητες, τις κοινωνικοοικονομικές επιπτώσεις της πράσινης μετάβασης και τον ρόλο της κοινωνίας των πολιτών στην προώθηση συμπεριληπτικών, βιώσιμων και δίκαιων μετασχηματισμών στις τοπικές κοινωνίες

Ευχαριστούμε θερμά όλους και όλες για τη συμμετοχή και τη συμβολή σε έναν ουσιαστικό διάλογο για ένα πιο βιώσιμο και δίκαιο μέλλον. Η βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη και η δίκαιη μετάβαση είναι υπόθεση όλων μας.

Digital Harmony TPM3 Poland

Digital Harmony Project Advances with Successful 3rd Transnational Partners Meeting in Poland

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The 3rd Transnational Partners Meeting of the Digital Harmony project, held in Poland, marked another important milestone for the initiative, bringing together partners in a collaborative and highly productive environment. 

Building on this strong momentum, the partnership is now moving forward with the implementation of the fourth and fifth work packages. A key focus of this next phase is the active engagement of schools, which are warmly invited to collaborate in upcoming Intergenerational Training and After-School Projects.

As part of its commitment to capacity building, the Digital Harmony project will deliver specialized training sessions tailored for students, older adults, and teachers. These sessions aim to foster “digital harmony” by bridging generational gaps, enhancing digital skills, and promoting student well-being.

By joining this international consortium, schools will have the opportunity to participate in innovative workshops and benefit from high-quality training materials designed to strengthen connections between generations and support inclusive, well-balanced digital education environments.

The meeting was characterized by a friendly atmosphere and constructive exchanges, enabling all partners to present clear updates on project management, the development of training materials, and the project’s impact frameworks.