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Author: Nikolina Frangoullidou

Dive into Learning with Youth-Well Podcasts!

CARDET is excited to announce the launch of the Youth-Well Podcast Series, now available on the Youth-Well collaboration space! This 8-episode series is your gateway to real, relatable, and thought-provoking conversations on the well-being and empowerment of young people across Europe.

Whether you’re a young person, educator, youth worker, or just curious about youth issues, these podcasts offer fresh perspectives and honest discussions on topics that matter – from mental health and identity to active citizenship and inclusive societies.

What’s Inside the Series?

  • Episode 1 – Youth Participation in the Civil Community
    Hear from passionate young changemakers and experienced volunteers about how to get involved and make a difference in your community.
  • Episode 2 – Feel Better, Live More
    Why is it hard to talk about mental health? Guests from the worlds of art, research, and medicine dive into how movement, isolation, and social stigma affect our well-being.
  • Episode 3 – Constructing Active Citizenship
    Youth leaders and policy experts explore how to foster meaningful civic engagement in Europe today.
  • Episode 4 – Let’s Talk Mental Health
    An honest, stigma-breaking discussion about anxiety, depression, social media pressure, and finding support.
  • Episode 5 – Healthier Body and Mind
    Young people share their thoughts on peer pressure, substance misuse, and the quest for balance in a digital world. (Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed.)
  • Episode 6 – The Sound of Borders
    What does inclusion look like across cultures and communities? Experts reflect on how borders—physical and social—shape youth experiences.
  • Episode 7 – Active Citizenship and Life-long Learning
    Real stories from youth sector leaders on how continuous learning helps build resilient, engaged generations.
  • Episode 8 – European Citizenship in Youth Work
    Dive into identity, belonging, and democratic participation—and how youth work connects the local with the European.

Head over to the Learning Resources section of the Youth-Well platform to stream all episodes and to learn more about the project.

PERMA Digital: A Bold Step Toward Digital Well-being in Schools

CARDET proudly launched the PERMA Digital project with a successful kick-off meeting held on June 11–12 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The meeting brought together partners from Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Belgium, and Finland to collaboratively design a roadmap for promoting well-being through digital education.

PERMA Digital is an innovative, EU-funded initiative aiming to introduce a whole-school, systemic approach to well-being within digital learning environments. By combining research, experimentation, and cross-national collaboration, the project will assess its impact on learners and educators, paving the way for broader implementation.

CARDET coordinates this groundbreaking initiative, alongside local partners INNOVADE and the Institute of Development.

Stay tuned as we reshape the future of education—digitally and meaningfully.

RoboAquaria Workshop Inspires Students and Parents at Ypsonas School Event

On June 1st, 2025, the 3rd Primary School of Ypsonas hosted a vibrant day of workshops titled “Children and Parents, Discovering Together”, bringing together families for hands-on learning experiences. As part of this multifaceted event, Cyprus-based partners, CARDET and INNOVADE presented an interactive robotics workshop under the European project RoboAquaria.

The RoboAquaria session engaged parents and children in a collaborative exploration of how technology and environmental education intersect. Participants built and programmed a small-scale water pump, learning how robotics can contribute to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Using sensors and control buttons, families also took part in interactive challenges focused on ecological awareness.

The workshop highlighted the potential of robotics to promote creativity, teamwork, and responsible environmental behaviour. It served as an inspiring example of how technology can be harnessed to teach young learners and their families about sustainable development in an accessible and engaging way.

RoboAquaria project focuses on the protection of marine environments by integrating Educational Robotics into the classroom and building teachers’ competences to use them. 

If you want to learn more about the project visit the website here.

Celebrating 20 Years of Impact with Key Partners! 

At CARDET, inclusion in education isn’t just a goal—it’s a priority. Our partnership with University College Dublin reflects this shared commitment as we work together to empower students and educators through transformative digital innovations and impactful research.

Aligned with UCD’s Strategy to 2030, our collaboration is built on the values of integrity, collegiality, inclusion, creativity, and excellence. Together, we champion “Science for Good,” ensuring that research and education drive meaningful societal change.

A special thank you to Professor Eleni Mangina, Vice Principal International, College of Science, UCD, for her inspiring words and for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of innovation and impact!

Digital Harmony: Bridging Generations for Well-being in Education

The project aims at addressing digital well-being in school communities by incorporating intergenerational learning as a core element.

The project will:

  • Create a positive and inclusive digital learning experience.
  • Test the theory of intergenerational learning by engaging students and older adults in collaborative activities designed to enhance digital well-being and skills
  • Support “evidence-informed policy” within the context of digital education in Europe.
  • Empower young people while ensuring their safety and mental health in online spaces.
  • Enhance digital literacy among students and senior adults
  • Promote online safety and responsible digital behavior.

Foster intergenerational support and digital well-being through after-school projects.

A Day of Smiles and Wellbeing at the 2nd Happiness & Well-Being Fair 2025

On Saturday, May 17th, the Strovolos Municipal Hall was filled with positive energy, laughter, and joyful encounters as the Happiness & Well-Being Fair 2025 returned for its second consecutive year—more vibrant, creative, and inspiring than ever.

Organised by CARDET and the Institute of Development N. Charalambous, in collaboration with the Municipality of Strovolos and the Strovolos Open School, the Fair was held in honour of the International Day of Happiness (March 20). It served as a powerful reminder that happiness is a fundamental human right and a driving force for resilience, solidarity, and sustainable development.

The festival brought together people of all ages in a celebration of community, connection, and self-care. Through art and shared experiences, attendees were reminded of the simple yet meaningful ways we can cultivate happiness in our everyday lives.

We extend our thanks to everyone who embraced this initiative with such enthusiasm. Special thanks to our supporters: the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, the Office of the Commissioner for the Citizen, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, the Cyprus Red Cross Youth Section, the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteering, and the Youth Board of Cyprus—as well as our media sponsor, NJOY Radio CY.

As the event continues to grow, it reaffirms our ongoing commitment to promoting happiness and mental wellbeing across society. We look forward to welcoming you again next year for another day filled with smiles, kindness, and positive energy!

CARDET Joins European Youth Exchange to Champion Mental Wellbeing and Inclusion

As part of our ongoing commitment to youth empowerment through the Youth-Well Project, CARDET proudly participated in the “Resilient and Democratic Youth” European youth exchange held in Brussels from May 6–8, 2025. This inspiring event brought together young people and youth workers from across Europe to explore critical themes such as mental wellbeing, inclusion, participation, and solidarity—especially among youth from underrepresented communities.

During the three-day event, participants engaged in a variety of non-formal education activities designed to strengthen resilience and encourage active, informed citizenship. Highlights included insightful discussions on mental health, dynamic multicultural team-building exercises, and interactive simulations of the European Parliament. These sessions created a vibrant and inclusive environment where young people could exchange ideas, learn from each other, and grow both personally and collectively.

The group also visited the House of European History, where participants reflected on the development of democracy and the crucial role that youth continue to play in safeguarding democratic values today.

Beyond learning, the exchange served as a powerful platform for building lasting connections. We strengthened existing collaborations, forged new partnerships, and returned with fresh ideas and renewed motivation to enhance the impact of our work in youth wellbeing and inclusion.We are grateful to all the organizers and participants who made this experience so meaningful. As coordinators of the Youth-Well Project, we are more committed than ever to fostering inclusive societies where all young people have the support, space, and voice they need to thrive.

Visit the Youth-Well Project website here!

CARDET Participates in the 5th International Conference on Professional Development in Mathematics and Science Education

CARDET successfully participated in the 5th International Conference on Professional Development in Mathematics and Science Education (ETE 2025), held on May 8th and 9th in Limassol. Organized by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and the International Centre for STEM Education (ICSE), the conference brought together researchers, educators, and policymakers to address key challenges and opportunities in 21st-century STEM education.

Focusing on four key themes—Diversity in STEM Classrooms, STEM Education in the Digital Era, Interdisciplinarity in STEM Education, and Sustainability in STEM Education—the conference served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas and innovative practices.

As part of our commitment to advancing STEM education, we presented three groundbreaking projects: TINKER, RoboAquaria, and INFINITE. These initiatives are designed to promote innovation, sustainability, and interdisciplinary learning, providing educators with tools and resources to create inclusive and engaging STEM learning environments.

Our participation in this conference motivates us to continue empowering teachers and developing innovative tools, resources, and opportunities that contribute to the ongoing transformation of STEM education on a global scale.

Students Dive into Marine Education and Robotics with RoboAquaria

Over the past three months we have successfully completed the piloting activities of the RoboAquaria project, an innovative initiative that combines robotics, digital tools, and Marine Education to raise environmental and climate awareness among young learners.

Over the course of three piloting rounds, students from Saint Nicolas Primary School and Trachoni A’ Primary School in Cyprus engaged in a series of interactive workshops focused on developing STEAM and Green skills. Through hands-on activities, students explored the fundamentals of robotics, designed and built their own robots, and learned how technology can support environmental communication and advocacy.

The piloting activities allowed educators to implement the RoboAquaria Toolkit, the Marine Education curriculum, and the project’s eLearning platform, promoting creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy in the classroom.

RoboAquaria aims to protect marine environments by integrating Educational Robotics into primary education and strengthening teachers’ competences. As part of its outcomes, the project is developing a Methodological Framework for piloting, Guidelines for Teachers, a validated RoboAquaria Toolkit with Lesson Topics, and an E-Learning Toolkit featuring Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Lesson Plans.

By bridging technology and environmental education, RoboAquaria empowers students to become active agents of change for a sustainable future.
Find out more about the project here.

TEAMWORK2 Releases its Latest Newsletter

As the TEAMWORK2 Project draws to a close, we celebrate its achievements in tackling workplace sexual harassment across Europe. From awareness campaigns to legal support and high-level discussions, the project has fostered collaboration, shared knowledge, and driven meaningful action, culminating in a powerful final conference in Milan.

Don’t miss the final edition of the 3rd TEAMWORK2 newsletter, highlighting these milestones and more.