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Author: Nikolina Frangoullidou

GROWS project releases its First Newsletter

The GROWS project, aims to raise awareness and empower the VET sector on the significance of sustainable waste management and the environment while improving the capacity of VET providers/trainers to implement activities in the field of environmental education with a focus on sustainable waste management and increase the levels of competences of VET providers on preparing and implementing a green education action plan.

Check out the first newsletter of the project to find out the outcomes of the first partner meeting, as well as the next steps of this important initiative.

GROWS – Moving towards a Green tRansitiOn through sustainable Waste management education in the VET Sector

Waste management has become a hot topic recently due to the huge amount of waste produced in Europe (EC, 2018). Change is required and this can be achieved by a bottom up approach through VET and the integration of environmental issues caused by waste management. Thus, VET providers/trainers need to be trained and educated on producing innovative learning material to promote engagement towards sustainable waste management.

The GROWS project aims to raise awareness and empower the VET sector on the significance of sustainable waste management and the environment while improving the capacity of VET providers/trainers to implement activities in the field of environmental education with a focus on sustainable waste management and increase the levels of competences of VET providers on preparing and implementing a green education action plan.

DO – Digital Onboarding

Numerous studies have proven the importance of onboarding for the successful induction and integration of new hires in any company/organisation. Since the COVID pandemic, organisations unable to provide onboarding in less traditional people-led, face-to-face ways were faced with challenges.

The aim of the project Digital Onboarding is to create a methodology and provide tools for this very important process (to both employers and employees), as well as training for those implementing digital onboarding in their organisations (e.g. HR), in order to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness of onboarding, especially in cases of frequent or large-scale recruitment. Successful onboarding results in higher employee satisfaction and retention rates and this project aims to help this.

The project DIGITAL ONBOARDING objectives are:

  • Develop Digital Onboarding Methodology for setting new hires for success and decrease time for them to become proficient in their new roles.
  • Identification of a set of open source tools suitable for digital onboarding purposes like e-Learning, VR, Automatic translation, multilingual Text-to-Voice Synthesizers.
  • Develop a training course on the Digital Onboarding Methodology and tools.

The Latest Updates from Switch Off Project in Its Third Newsletter 

As the Switch Off team remains dedicated to supporting worker’s well-being during remote work, the past few months have been filled with new exciting updates. From a series of impactful meetings to training sessions filled with thought-provoking discussions, the project has made an exemplary progress towards empowering HR professionals and managers to better support their staff and implement practices for better work-life balance in hybrid and remote working settings. 

Read more about the progress of the project in its latest newsletter below and stay tuned for the upcoming events!

Youth-Well: Working Together for Resilient and Democratic Youth

The Youth-Well project tackles the challenges at the intersection of European youth, mental health, democracy and resilience. One of its biggest goal is to connect young people across participating Member States so they can take their future, their mental health, and their participation in democracy into their own hands. Youth-Well also helps young people set up their own initiatives and projects which equally advocate for mental health and active citizenship.

Youth-Well among other things offers:

  • Advocacy activities across Europe for the European youth
  • Training manuals for youth workers on mental health and democracy
  • An e-learning platform on leadership skills
  • International conferences for youth advocates

UxGE Initiative Progresses: Online Training Course Development Underway

In a bid to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious leaders, the United for a Green Europe (UxGE) project convened its 2nd Transnational Coordination Meeting in Virginia, Ireland, from April 23rd to 24th, 2024. 

With a vision to equip youth leaders with the essential competencies for shaping a sustainable future, the UxGE project’s 2nd Transnational Coordination Meeting charted significant milestones towards its objectives. In particular, the gathering, aimed at fostering coordination and progress, saw pivotal discussions on the development of an Online Training Course to empower youth leaders in advocating for a greener, more inclusive Europe. 

Tasked with addressing youth leaders, the course will encompass modules on Leadership, Critical Thinking, Initiative, Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Challenges. Emphasising a holistic approach, the consortium will oversee the course’s design and execution, aiming to deliver a comprehensive educational tool that fosters both personal growth and environmental awareness.

The meeting’s success signifies a significant stride forward for the UxGE initiative, marking a concerted effort to nurture a cadre of youth leaders poised to spearhead positive change in Europe’s environmental landscape. With plans set in motion, the project remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a generation of empowered advocates for a greener, more inclusive, and sustainable Europe.

UXGE – United for a Green Europe

As the continent faces unprecedented environmental challenges, there’s a critical need to empower the next generation with the skills to lead sustainably. The UxGE project doesn’t only seek to fill this gap, but also to foster a community of young leaders equipped to navigate and address the complexities of the modern world, particularly in the context of the European Green Pact.

In particular, this project aims to holistically develop youth leaders and stakeholders. By focusing on leadership, critical thinking, sustainability, and environmental awareness, it intends to create a robust framework for personal and professional growth. The goal is to cultivate young leaders who are not only aware of the environmental challenges but are also prepared to lead their communities in sustainable practices and policies.

List of concrete objectives:
• To elevate leadership abilities with a focus on critical analysis and decision-making.
• To promote a deep understanding of sustainability principles and their application in various contexts.
• To encourage active participation and engagement in societal and environmental issues, fostering a sense of responsibility and community.

It’s Time to Raise the BAR Against Racism Across Schools

In a bid to tackle racism head-on within educational institutions, the Raise the BAR initiative has been launched, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against discrimination in schools. The initiative aims to instill anti-racism principles deeply within the fabric of educational systems across Cyprus and Europe.

At its core, Raise the BAR seeks to empower educators with the necessary tools and strategies to cultivate anti-racism attitudes and behaviors among students. Recognising the pivotal role of teachers in shaping young minds, the initiative prioritises comprehensive training programs designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement anti-racism pedagogy in their classrooms.

The partner meeting, held in Valencia earlier this month, marked a significant milestone in the initiative’s journey. Participants convened to outline a roadmap for the project, with discussions centering on key steps to be taken, including forthcoming teacher training sessions and the development of a policy paper outlining practical recommendations for fostering inclusive environments within schools.

With tensions surrounding racial inequality and discrimination on the rise globally, the need for action within educational settings has never been more pressing. As the initiative gains momentum, stakeholders remain optimistic about the transformative impact it will have on shaping the attitudes and behaviors of future generations, paving the way for a more equitable and just society.

Raise the BAR: Becoming Anti-Racist Schools

Raise the BAR aims to contribute to combating racism, discrimination and inequality in EU schools, targeting teachers and students (10-16 years). It will promote inclusion, diversity and equality frameworks by developing resources to prepare schools and teachers to initiate and implement effective educational strategies to foster students’ anti-racism, personal development, democratic values, adherence to fundamental rights and critical thinking.


The project will address the impacts of racism, discrimination, and cultural, social and economic barriers. This will be achieved by collaborating with teachers (and students) in the co-design of:

  • The Continuous Training programme for teachers, “Becoming Anti-Racist Teachers”, to promote their professional development
  • The “Becoming Anti-Racist Toolkit” for students (10-16 years), with activities to foster anti-racism
  • The “Raise the BAR – Becoming Anti-Racist Schools” Policy Paper, with practical recommendations for schools and school managers on the implementation of anti-racist pedagogy and global education.

Presenting United For Green Europe Project at Agios Antonios Lyceum

We had the utmost pleasure to once again showcase our commitment to nurturing future leaders in environmental stewardship with the unveiling of the United for Green Europe (ExGE) project. The event took place at Agios Antonios Lyceum on April 25 and April 29, where students and educators got a taste of the project’s objectives, potential impact, as well as opportunities to get involved. 

The ExGE project, spearheaded by CARDET, aims to empower young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental challenges and champion sustainable practices within their communities. By fostering qualities such as leadership, critical thinking, and environmental awareness, the initiative seeks to create a culture of proactive individuals equipped to drive positive change.

During the presentation, attendees engaged in discussions about the significance of leadership in the context of environmental sustainability and explored the multifaceted aspects of the project, including its activities and anticipated outcomes. Notably, there was a keen interest in enhancing understanding about the European Union initiatives, underscoring the importance of global cooperation in tackling environmental issues.

The event was marked by lively debates and insightful inquiries, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of participants towards promoting a greener, more sustainable future. Through initiatives like the ExGE project, CARDET continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders, poised to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.