Author: Nikolina Frangoullidou

SDG project closing tools and e-learning platform

SDG Navigator Project Concludes, Leaving a Legacy of Sustainable Education and Empowerment

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 11/12/2024. Posted in Project News.

The SDG Navigator Project has officially concluded, marking a significant milestone in sustainability education and vocational training. Over the course of its implementation, the project developed innovative tools and resources to empower VET educators, learners, and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to address environmental challenges and lead the green transition.

Key Features of the SDG Navigator Project:

The project’s achievements include the creation of the SDG Navigator Digital Hub and Toolbox (SNDH), a lasting resource for education and entrepreneurship communities. This hub features essential tools such as the Sustainability Changemakers Competences Dictionary (SCCD) and the Sustainability Navigator Learning Path (SNLP), providing a robust foundation for sustainability-focused education.

The SDG Navigator’s impact is demonstrated through the following features:

Dynamic Learning Modules: Seven comprehensive stages guide learners through sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial processes, offering a clear path from foundational knowledge to practical business applications.
Interactive Learning Resources: Engaging materials such as storytelling, videos, quizzes, and infographics make learning effective and enjoyable.
Practical Training Tools: Designed for integration into VET curricula, these tools enable educators to strengthen their students’ sustainability competencies.

Access the Resources:

Explore the SDG Navigator’s Digital Hub and the free resources available on the eLearning platform. These materials will remain accessible for years, ensuring that sustainability education continues to play a pivotal role in the VET sector.

Together, we can inspire and empower the changemakers of tomorrow.

CODING4KIDS project concludes at Dasoupoli School

Successful Completion of the Coding4Kids Project at Dasoupoli School

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 09/12/2024. Posted in Project News.

The Coding4Kids project has successfully concluded, with CARDET hosting a closing event on 6th of December at Dasoupoli School in Cyprus. This event marked the culmination of an initiative that has inspired young learners and empowered educators through innovative approaches to teaching coding and programming.

The event highlighted the project’s achievements and showcased its forward-thinking approach to integrating coding into classrooms. Attendees were introduced to the project’s scope and objectives, emphasizing the value of applying coding concepts to real-life scenarios to foster a deep understanding of programming.

Key Highlights of the Event:

Educational Resources: A demonstration of the interactive platform, featuring engaging lessons and supplementary activities for students, along with structured and user-friendly materials to support teachers.
Skill Development for Educators: Practical guidance on overcoming challenges in teaching programming, coupled with strategies to inspire creativity and problem-solving skills in young learners.
Project Goals and Vision: Insights into how educators can sustain the enthusiasm for coding beyond the classroom and continue fostering a culture of innovation.

The Coding4Kids partners are committed to building on the project’s success by providing practical, engaging tools for educators and students alike.

Find out more about the project here.

Benefit Project Concludes with the Release of the Final Newsletter

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 05/12/2024. Posted in Project News.

The BENEFIT project has successfully concluded, marking a pioneering initiative designed to empower youth workers and young individuals in enhancing mental well-being and resilience.

Throughout the project’s duration, partners developed two key resources: a Toolkit and a Training Package. These resources offered practical, accessible strategies to support mental health, resilience-building, and employability. A standout feature of the BENEFIT project was its collaborative, evidence-based approach, which culminated in the creation of an interactive e-learning platform, ensuring lasting accessibility and impact. This platform aims to continue serving youth workers and young people, supporting their personal and professional growth.

To learn more about the project’s outcomes and access these valuable resources, check out our latest newsletter.

Article at Politis for the 20 years of CARDET

CARDET: 20 Χρόνια Καινοτομίας και Κοινωνικής Συμβολής μέσω της Εκπαίδευσης

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 03/12/2024. Posted in Media Highlights.

Το Ερευνητικό Κέντρο CARDET γιορτάζει φέτος την 20ή επέτειο από την ίδρυσή του, έχοντας διαγράψει μια πορεία γεμάτη επιτυχίες και καινοτόμες δράσεις. Σε αυτά τα 20 χρόνια, έχει να επιδείξει πολυδιάστατο έργο σε τοπικό και διεθνές επίπεδο που το έχει καθιερώσει ως έναν από τους κορυφαίους οργανισμούς στην Κύπρο και τη Νοτιοανατολική Μεσόγειο. Από το 2004, το CARDET παραμένει πιστό στο όραμά του να ενισχύει την κοινωνία μέσω της εκπαίδευσης, της καινοτομίας και της δια βίου μάθησης.

Η ίδρυση του CARDET στηρίχθηκε στην πεποίθηση ότι η εκπαίδευση μπορεί να αποτελέσει καταλυτικό παράγοντα αλλαγής. Στη βάση αυτής της πεποίθησης και στηριζόμενος σε ένα σύνολο αξιών καθώς και στην εμπειρία της ομάδας του, ο οργανισμός εργάζεται για να προσφέρει πρωτοποριακά εργαλεία και λύσεις που ενισχύουν την κοινωνική συνοχή και την ευημερία. Παράλληλα, κινείται με εξωστρέφεια, ακεραιότητα και διαφάνεια αναπτύσσοντας στρατηγικές συνεργασίες με κορυφαίους οργανισμούς και ιδρύματα παγκοσμίως, όπως η Microsoft, η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή, η UNICEF και το Yale School of Public Health. Μέσα από αυτές τις συνεργασίες, το CARDET επεκτείνει διαρκώς τη τεχνογνωσία και τις δραστηριότητες του έχοντας εδραιώσει την παρουσία του σε περισσότερες από 40 χώρες, επηρεάζοντας θετικά τις ζωές πάνω από τρία εκατομμύρια ανθρώπων παγκοσμίως.

Η δράση του CARDET εκτείνεται σε διάφορους τομείς, όπως η εκπαίδευση, τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, η κοινωνική ένταξη, η ψηφιακή μάθηση, η υγεία, η επιχειρηματικότητα και η βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη. Κατανοώντας τις σύγχρονες προκλήσεις, το CARDET δημιουργεί και υλοποιεί καινοτόμα προγράμματα που προσφέρουν λύσεις σε κοινωνικά ζητήματα και προωθούν την πρόοδο. Παράλληλα, διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στην προώθηση της τεχνολογίας στην εκπαίδευση, με προγράμματα όπως η εκπαιδευτική ρομποτική, η Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη και η εικονική πραγματικότητα, προετοιμάζοντας τους μαθητές για τις προκλήσεις του 21ου αιώνα.

Εξίσου σημαντική είναι η συμβολή του CARDET στην κοινωνική ένταξη των μεταναστών, προσφέροντάς τους τα απαραίτητα εργαλεία και δεξιότητες για να επιτύχουν την ομαλή ενσωμάτωσή τους στις κοινωνίες υποδοχής. Αυτή η πολυδιάστατη προσέγγιση καθιστά το CARDET ηγέτη στον τομέα της κοινωνικής και εκπαιδευτικής ένταξης, τόσο στην Κύπρο όσο και διεθνώς.

Η καινοτομία αποτελεί βασικό μέρος της στρατηγικής του CARDET. Μέσα από τη συνεχή ανάπτυξη νέων εκπαιδευτικών εργαλείων και τη χρήση προηγμένων τεχνολογιών, το Κέντρο προσαρμόζεται στις μεταβαλλόμενες ανάγκες της κοινωνίας και της εκπαίδευσης. Με την ολοκλήρωση περισσότερων από 400 έργων σε διάφορες χώρες, το CARDET έχει δημιουργήσει ένα ισχυρό δίκτυο που ενισχύει το έργο του.

Όπως δήλωσε ο Εκτελεστικός Διευθυντής του CARDET, Καθηγητής Χαράλαμπος Βρασίδας: «Το CARDET ξεκίνησε με το όραμα να προάγει την εκπαίδευση ως δύναμη θετικής αλλαγής. Είκοσι χρόνια μετά, είμαι περήφανος που έχουμε μετατρέψει αυτό το όραμα σε πραγματικότητα, με σημαντικό θετικό αντίκτυπο». Αυτή η φιλοσοφία συνεχούς ανανέωσης και ανάπτυξης αποτελεί το κλειδί για την επιτυχημένη πορεία του οργανισμού.

Τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του CARDET έχουν θέσει ισχυρές βάσεις για το μέλλον, με το Κέντρο να προγραμματίζει την ενίσχυση της παρουσίας του σε πανευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο και να προάγει την καινοτομία στην εκπαίδευση. Τα επόμενα χρόνια αναμένονται δυναμικά, με νέες συνεργασίες και πρωτοβουλίες που θα συμβάλλουν στην κοινωνική πρόοδο. Με αφορμή την 20ή επέτειό του, το CARDET εισάγει επίσης την πρωτοβουλία “Twenty4Twenty,” που περιλαμβάνει εθελοντικές δράσεις για την ενίσχυση της κοινότητας, επιβεβαιώνοντας τη δέσμευσή του να επενδύει στην κοινωνία και να λειτουργεί ως καταλύτης για εκπαιδευτική και κοινωνική πρόοδο.

Βρείτε περισσότερες πληροφορίες στην ιστοσελίδα μας: www.cardet.org

*Συνέντευξη στον Πολίτη

Final Event of the Include-Ce Project Online

INCLUDE-CE Project Final Event: Empowering Communities through Digital Literacy and Circular Economy

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 03/12/2024. Posted in Project News.

On December 2nd, an inspiring online event brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to explore the intersection of migrant youth, ethnic minorities, and the Circular Economy. Hosted as part of the Inclusion and Digital Empowerment through Circular Economy (INCLUDE-CE) Project, the event was a resounding success, fostering meaningful dialogue and showcasing innovative tools to empower migrant and ethnic minority communities.

Attendees gained insights into practical strategies for active online job searching and learned about the pivotal role of digital skills in building inclusive communities aligned with Circular Economy principles. The event emphasized the importance of equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in a digitally-driven world.

A standout feature was the unveiling of a cutting-edge E-learning platform, now available in six languages, including Arabic. This platform offers:

A professional area for those working with youth.
A youth area with free educational resources to support active online job searching.
A free, open-access training program covering critical topics such as internet safety, computer literacy, and effective job-searching techniques.

The event highlighted two comprehensive training courses, showcasing how digital literacy can empower individuals and promote sustainability. Engaging presentations and dynamic discussions encouraged participants to share insights, experiences, and ideas to strengthen inclusion and digital empowerment.

The success of this event marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive and empowered society. The collaborative spirit and innovative resources reaffirm the transformative potential of digital literacy for individuals and communities.

Learn more about INCLUDE-CE Project here

CARDET participates at the STEAME Festival 2024 in Limassol

CARDET Participated in the 2nd Cyprus STEAME Festival 2024

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 29/11/2024. Posted in Blog.

CARDET proudly participated in the 2nd Cyprus STEAME Festival, held on November 29-30, 2024, at Linopetra Lyceum in Limassol. The event, organized by the Cyprus Mathematical Society, the STEAME ACADEMY project, and the Thales Foundation, showcased innovative STEAME learning activities and workshops for students, teachers, and the general public.

During the festival, CARDET presented three key projects that aimed to engage the audience in STEAME education, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability:

STEAM4LIFE

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the STEAM4LIFE project, CARDET showcased its achievements in promoting gender equality in STEAM fields. Visitors explored practical tools such as the career choice simulator and the MOOC (massive open online course) platform, both designed to inspire women and advance their participation in STEAM careers.

EcoSTEAM

Through a creative art installation activity, CARDET engaged participants in discussions about sustainability and ecology. Attendees shared their ideas using drawings and post-its, emphasizing the importance of integrating STEAM education with environmental awareness.

Coding4Kids

CARDET also highlighted the Coding4Kids platform, which introduces coding concepts through real-life scenarios. Educators explored the platform’s interactive lessons and activities, gaining valuable tools to incorporate into their teaching methods.

The festival was an excellent opportunity to connect with educators, students, and stakeholders, exchanging ideas and resources to foster a more inclusive and sustainable society.

BoysLingo Wraps Up with the Release of the 4th Newsletter and a Comprehensive Infographic

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 29/11/2024. Posted in Project News.

The BoysLingo Project has successfully concluded, promoting inclusive language learning by engaging students, especially boys, through innovative, gamified approaches and mobile technologies. Over the course of its two-years of implementation, the project empowered educators and students, addressing the gender gap in education and inspiring more meaningful engagement with language lessons by adopting inclusive practices based on its results.

Highlighting this closure, the BoysLingo project is now releasing its final newsletter and an infographic showcasing key achievements and tools. The goal is for these resources to remain accessible, continuing to support educators in fostering equality and inclusivity in language education.

Find out more in the newsletter and the infographic below.

EcoSTEAM final transnational partner meeting in Lithuania

EcoSTEAM TPM Concludes Successfully in Vilnius, Lithuania

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 29/11/2024. Posted in Project News.

The EcoSTEAM project, an Erasmus+ initiative, successfully held its final Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM) in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 28–29, 2024. The meeting marked the culmination of the project’s collaborative efforts, bringing together partners to reflect on achievements, evaluate pilot outcomes, and plan for the sustainability of its results.

Over the two-day meeting, participants reviewed the project’s key deliverables, including the e-Learning Concept, e-Teaching Program, and e-Guide. These final outputs were presented, and their impact was analyzed, particularly in light of pilot activities that engaged 200 students across four countries. Feedback from the pilots highlighted the project’s success in fostering environmental awareness and sparking interest in STEAM topics among young learners.

The meeting also prioritized preparing the final report for submission to the National Agency, ensuring all administrative and financial documentation was completed with full transparency. Partners reflected on the challenges encountered during the project, shared success stories, and discussed lessons learned to inform future initiatives.

Sustainability was a central theme of the discussions, with a focus on how EcoSTEAM’s methodologies and outputs can continue to support educational practices beyond the project’s funding period. Dissemination efforts were reviewed, and plans were developed to ensure the ongoing promotion of the project’s tools and resources.

EcoSTEAM, which aims to enhance STEAM education while addressing environmental sustainability and climate change, has been a significant step forward in equipping secondary school students with the skills and awareness needed to become engaged and informed scientific citizens. The Vilnius meeting provided a fitting conclusion to this impactful project, leaving partners with a clear roadmap for sustaining its legacy in education and innovation.

To learn more about the EcoSTEAM project, please visit here

TUA Project Releases Its 4th and Final Newsletter

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 29/11/2024. Posted in Project News.

As the TUA Project draws to a close, we’re excited to present the 4th and final newsletter!

This edition is filled with key updates and achievements, including the launch of the “Express Yourself” e-learning platform and digital toolkit. These innovative resources empower individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Down Syndrome (DS) to embrace art, explore social entrepreneurship, and unlock their full potential through meaningful self-expression.

The project’s journey culminated in Palermo, where partners gathered for the final meeting to celebrate two years of impactful work and discuss the enduring legacy of the TUA Project.

Discover all the highlights and outcomes in the final newsletter! Find it below

TUA project concludes with successful multiplier events

TUA Project Hosts Successful Multiplier Events in Nicosia

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 28/11/2024. Posted in Project News.

The TUA (The Unexpected Artrepreneur) project recently organised two successful multiplier events at the Nicosia Autism Association and the Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Special Needs, highlighting the accomplishments of its two-year journey. These events marked a pivotal moment in the project’s implementation, providing an opportunity to showcase its outcomes, share valuable insights, and present its innovative approach to improving learning opportunities for individuals with autism and Down syndrome, as well as for the professionals who support them.

The TUA project is dedicated to enhancing the educational and developmental experiences of young individuals with autism and Down syndrome. Through practical tools, personalised learning opportunities, and professional development resources, the project promotes an inclusive and supportive learning environment tailored to meet diverse needs.

At the events, attendees explored the project’s digital tools, including its official website and eLearning platform. Designed for accessibility and ease of use, these resources empower educators, caregivers, and parents to engage effectively with the materials. The eLearning platform, featuring interactive modules that build practical skills and enhance communication, garnered particular attention. Its emphasis on tailored learning strategies for children with autism and Down syndrome was met with great enthusiasm.

Feedback from participants underscored the need for more resources like these to better support the work of professionals striving to improve the lives and opportunities of individuals with special needs.

To learn more about the TUA project and access its resources, visit here.