Author: Nikolina Frangoullidou

RALExILA project second partner meeting in Slovenia

Successful Second Partner Meeting of the RALExILA Project

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 03/10/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 30th to October 2nd, Slovenia served as the meeting point for the partners of the RALExILA project. The meeting focused on enhancing systems that support adult learning across Europe, particularly by developing National Registries for Adult Learning and Education (ALE) and integrating Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs).

The meeting unfolded in two distinct phases. The first 1.5 days were dedicated to a workshop centred on defining system requirements and modeling. Project partners, stakeholders, and leading experts in adult learning from across Europe collaborated in an interactive session to outline the essential features of these systems. Employing design thinking methodologies, the workshop prioritized understanding user needs and generating innovative solutions, resulting in comprehensive and user-friendly system requirements and information models for ALE registries.

On the final day, partners discussed research from several countries on how their national ALE systems and ILAs work. The group also began drafting a guide on quality assurance and governance, which will help set strong standards for ALE systems in Europe. CARDET contributed actively by presenting research findings from Cyprus and engaging in collaborative discussions to shape the future of adult learning systems.

Find out more about the project on its official website.

TUA project gathers young peoples interviews to develop a new toolkit

TUA Interviews Pave the Way for New Digital Toolkit for Youth with ASD/DS

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

We are thrilled to announce another significant milestone for the TUA (The Unexpected Artepreneur) project. Partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Portugal have successfully conducted a series of interviews with inspiring individuals who are using art and entrepreneurship to drive positive change in their communities.

These interviews featured young people with mental health disabilities who have turned to art for self-expression, artists who have used their craft to amplify their voices, and social entrepreneurs whose work serves as a model for those facing similar challenges.

The purpose of these interviews was to gather impactful stories, case studies, inspirational quotes, and best practices. These insights will be showcased in the upcoming TUA Digital Toolkit, a resource specifically designed for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS). The toolkit will offer essential guidance on using art and social entrepreneurship as powerful avenues for self-expression and social change.

The TUA Digital Toolkit will be an interactive, accessible resource aimed at empowering young people to channel their creativity into meaningful action. It will consist of three practical guides:

Guide 1: How to Become an Artist?
Guide 2: How to Express My Thoughts Through Art?
Guide 3: How to Become an Artrepreneur?

By combining art with social entrepreneurship, the toolkit will equip young individuals with the tools they need to become agents of change in their communities. Stay tuned for the release of this transformative resource by visiting the project’s website!

Successful Conclusion of the YOWO Project Meeting in Famagusta

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 30/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The YOWO (Young Workforce) project has reached a significant milestone in its mission to combat social exclusion among young people, especially graduates facing challenges in securing employment that aligns with their qualifications and aspirations. On September 26th and 27th, Famagusta, Cyprus hosted a pivotal event that brought together 19 participants from seven countries for a series of study visits, workshops, and final discussions as the project nears its completion.

Highlights of the Event

The gathering featured a workshop that highlighted the labor market experiences of young participants, facilitating an invaluable exchange of insights. Attendees also showcased the project’s outcomes and best practices to representatives from local, regional, national, and international institutions.

This multiplier event served not only to disseminate the project’s results but also to lay the groundwork for its sustainability phase. This ensures that the knowledge and initiatives cultivated during YOWO’s implementation will continue to support young men and women facing employment challenges. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all partners to pursue solutions that enhance youth employment and promote gender equality on both local and international scales.

Project’s Key Achievements and Objectives

Throughout its implementation, YOWO has focused on:

Identifying Challenges: Shedding light on the difficulties faced by young people in securing employment.
Fostering Dialogue: Encouraging discussions among partners from various European nations to develop common solutions.
Engaging NEETs: Involving young people who are not in education, employment, or training in initiatives designed to connect them with European policies and opportunities.
Advocating for Equality: Promoting equal opportunities in the labor market and addressing the gender gap that disproportionately affects women.

The project’s activities have successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, strengthened partnerships, and shared best practices to combat youth unemployment and labor inequality. For more information on the project visit its website.

COSERE Study Visit Fosters Collegiality and Shared Leadership in Schools

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 16-20, 2024, the COSERE project held a study visit in Tbilisi, Georgia, co-organized by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development and CARDET. The visit aimed to enhance collegiality in schools by exploring best practices such as shared leadership and the concept of a critical friend.

Participants had the opportunity to visit schools in Tbilisi and Ilia State University, exchanging insights and observing how collegial support systems are implemented across various educational settings. This study visit marks another milestone in COSERE’s ongoing mission to transform educational environments by empowering educators and fostering a culture of mutual support.

Following earlier COSERE study trips to Ireland and Italy, this visit continues to advance the project’s vision of expanding collegial support across Europe. Engaging headteachers, educators, and key stakeholders, COSERE emphasizes peer collaboration, shared leadership, and mutual support—moving beyond traditional mentoring, coaching, and inspections.

For more information on the COSERE project and its upcoming initiatives, please visit the website here.

COSERE – Collegial Support for Resilience and Growth in Education

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Projects & Initiatives.

Collaboration is essential on all levels of our lives and this is why it has been named as a core future competence in the 4C model. Based on evidence, teachers may perform better when working together professionally, by forming learning and support communities. With collegial support being critical for resilience and growth in education, COSERE project seeks to establish the significance and the grounds of collegiality in education as a good practice of any contemporary school culture.

To be more specific, the project’s objectives are the following:

To identify the needs of educational leaders in their effort to enhance the culture of collegial support and peer-based learning in schools, in order to create a Handbook on how to sustain different forms of collegial support;
To enhance the understanding of various support forms and their impact on staff & school development, and to gain practical experience of using the diverse techniques and methods through a CPD course;
To share the best practices among consortium partners and deepen their knowledge.

Inclusive Hubs project concludes with the hybrid final conference

Inclusive Hubs Project Concludes in Finland with Final Conference

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 25/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The Inclusive Hubs project reached its conclusion with a final meeting and hybrid conference held on the 24th and 25th of September, hosted by Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland. This event brought together project partners and key stakeholders to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable strides made in advancing inclusion within schools across Europe.

The conference highlighted the project’s significant achievements, with partners presenting key outcomes. Teachers from various countries shared their firsthand experiences of working with migrant students and participating in the initiative. Notable keynote speakers included Dr. Lucie Cerna, Senior Analyst in Equity, Inclusion, and Transitions at the OECD’s Directorate for Education and Skills, and Pamela-Zoe Topalli, Policy Officer at the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

A dedicated panel on student and teacher wellbeing featured insights from a school psychologist, a school coach, and a representative from the Swedish Parent Association in Finland. This panel emphasized the critical importance of mental health and wellbeing for both students and educators in fostering inclusive educational environments.

We hope the insights and outcomes of the Inclusive Hubs project will continue to inspire and guide future efforts toward building inclusive education systems across Europe. To learn more about the project and access the learning materials developed throughout its course, click here.

RURACTIVE Partners Conclude Successful Third Meeting in Zamora, Spain

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 20/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

From September 16th to 19th, 2024, the charming town of Zamora, Spain, served as the backdrop for the third RURACTIVE partners’ meeting. This gathering was a pivotal step in the project’s journey to invigorate Europe’s rural landscapes through innovation and technology.

The event unfolded over four days of intensive collaboration and exploration. The Steering Committee kicked off the meeting with a review of progress and strategic realignment. This was followed by Knowledge Transfer (KT) sessions and the General Assembly (GA), where partners united to exchange ideas and reinforce their commitment to rural development.

Highlights of the meeting included:

Sayago: Showcased the “Monitoring of the Elderly at Their Homes” IoT system and the “Vital Heartbeat” initiative, which uses public totems to advance rural healthcare.
Campos-Pan: Featured the “Crisol Labyrinth” Project, a creative hub for sculpture and education, and the “Comitas E-health” Project, offering telemedicine to alleviate long-distance travel for medical care.
Almendra: Highlighted a successful agroecology venture by a young entrepreneur, recognized with the European Commission’s “Rural Inspiration Award” for its impact on local agriculture.

The meeting was hailed as a success, leaving participants enthusiastic and well-prepared to continue driving positive change in rural communities across Europe.

Discover more about the RURACTIVE Project here.

more project blog post on inclusion and diversity

Youth as Agents of Change: Promoting Inclusion and Diversity

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 19/09/2024. Posted in Blog.

“The future depends on what we do in the present, and young people are the strongest force shaping it.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Young people possess extraordinary potential to be agents of change, driving societal progress with their fresh perspectives, boundless energy, and passion for justice. Their adaptability, open-mindedness, and commitment to social justice, complemented by their creativity and willingness to challenge the status quo, often place them at the forefront of social change.

In this context, they have the traits and the power to play a pivotal role in addressing modern societal challenges such as inequality, discrimination, and division. With their openness to new ideas and adaptability, young people can lead the charge in breaking down barriers, promoting inclusion, and helping to create more cohesive communities. Additionally, as digital natives, they can leverage a diverse set of tools and platforms to connect across rigid social lines, learn from one another, and most importantly, mobilize and advocate for social causes.

This deep belief in the power and potential of young people is the starting point and guiding force behind the MOVE Project, which works to connect youth and spark tangible actions toward shaping a diverse and inclusive European identity. The project aims to foster social awareness, promote cultural respect, and encourage young people to be the building blocks of new bridges between communities.

The MOVE Project: Youth-Led Inclusion
Funded by the European Union, as a joint initiative from four EU countries – Cyprus, Italy, Spain and Belgium, the MOVE Project fosters youth awareness of migration and inclusion, focusing on building a tolerant society that respects cultural diversity. By providing tools like an audiovisual campaign and an interactive map of migrations, MOVE encourages youth to engage actively in shaping Europe’s future. The project has three key objectives:

Strengthening Youth Technicians’ Abilities: MOVE equips youth workers with innovative tools and strategies to foster social inclusion, particularly around migration. By empowering these leaders, the project ensures that they can guide and mentor others, amplifying the impact across Europe.
Active Youth Participation: Involving young people from four European countries, MOVE encourages them to create content, materials, and tools that raise awareness about migration. By giving youth a platform to express their views, the project promotes active contributions to societal change. Through communication tools like videos and social media, young participants challenge stereotypes and educate their peers about migration and diversity.
Promoting a Tolerant European Identity: MOVE promotes a European identity that embraces cultural diversity. By focusing on migration, the project highlights Europe’s rich history of diverse cultural contributions. The audiovisual campaign challenges negative narratives around migration, promoting a vision of Europe as a space where different cultures coexist and thrive.

Why Youth’s Role Matters
The MOVE Project demonstrates how young people can actively shape inclusive societies. Engaging with issues such as migration and social cohesion, youth raise awareness and drive meaningful change. Involving young people in initiatives like MOVE ensures they have a voice in shaping Europe’s future, including the role of cultural diversity in the future.

The emphasis on creative expression in the MOVE Project allows young people to share personal stories that resonate with their peers. Whether through film, digital media, or art, these young voices shape narratives around migration and inclusion, challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy and understanding among diverse communities.

The Impact of MOVE Project
MOVE’s innovative approach to promoting inclusion through digital tools and youth engagement is impactful. The interactive map of migrations provides a visual representation of migration movements, reminding viewers of the shared histories that unite Europe. Meanwhile, the audiovisual campaign humanizes migration by sharing personal stories, fostering dialogue around inclusion, and challenging negative perceptions of migrants.

By empowering youth to understand and address complex social issues, MOVE creates a platform for ongoing dialogue and cross-border collaboration. As young people become more informed and engaged, they are better equipped to advocate for policies that promote inclusion and respect for diversity in their communities and beyond.

Conclusion and the Future
Young people hold the key to building a more inclusive and tolerant future. Through projects like MOVE, they are given the tools and platforms to use their voices, creativity, and energy to drive positive change. As agents of change, youth can challenge misconceptions, promote empathy, and foster a Europe united in diversity. By shaping their own futures, they are also contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and cohesive European identity.

Learn more about the MOVE Project here

GreenYOU Partners Gather in Dublin for 4th Transnational Project Meeting

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 19/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

On September 17-18, 2024, GreenYOU Project partners gathered in Dublin, Ireland, for the 4th Transnational Project Meeting. This two-day event provided an opportunity for the consortium to reconnect in person, review the project’s progress, and plan the upcoming phase of activities.

The meeting highlighted significant developments, including the ongoing creation of innovative educational tools such as Escape Rooms and animated videos. These resources are designed to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration among youth, while also raising climate awareness and promoting essential green skills.

A major focus was the advancement of the Augmented Reality (AR) Technology Green Curriculum. This curriculum aims to empower youth workers and organizations by equipping them with AR tools to foster green skills. During the meeting, partners defined the key activities and timelines necessary to support the curriculum’s development and implementation.

The GreenYOU Project is an important initiative that equips young people and youth organizations with the innovative tools needed to address pressing environmental challenges.

Learn more about the project here.

move project releases methodology towards inclusion

MOVE Project Shares the Methodology to Foster Inclusivity and EU Values Through Gamification

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on 18/09/2024. Posted in Project News.

The MOVE project has taken significant strides in empowering VET professionals, youth workers, immigrants, and policymakers through a recently held Youth Lab. This lab focused on implementing the project’s Training Guide, which was developed to foster inclusivity and promote EU values. A diverse group of 21 participants was equipped with practical tools and strategies to advance these objectives, particularly targeting young people, immigrants, and refugees.

The Training Guide and its Key Objectives
The Training Guide is a collaboratively designed training model centered on social innovation, featuring dynamics, games, and materials adaptable for practical use across participating countries and beyond. During the lab, participants explored innovative ways to integrate inclusivity into their professional settings and communities, with a focus on key objectives:

Promoting Inclusivity: Equip participants with strategies to create welcoming environments for immigrants and refugees.
Enhancing Understanding of EU Values: Strengthen knowledge of fundamental EU principles, such as human rights, democracy, equality, and the rule of law, to build a more cohesive European society.

Positive Feedback and Valuable Suggestions
The workshop was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants particularly praised its interactive methodology and the inclusive nature of the activities. Here are some key takeaways:

Engaging Format: Attendees appreciated the hands-on activities, innovative approaches, and networking opportunities.
Suggestions for Improvement: Some participants suggested incorporating more role-plays and visual presentations to enhance engagement and understanding. Additionally, they recommended more in-depth questioning during the third (bingo) stage for a more immersive experience.
Interactive Methodology: Many participants described the workshop as “perfect” and praised the interactive nature of the sessions, feeling that nothing needed to be changed.

Explore the Methodology of the MOVE Project
For those interested in deepening their understanding of inclusiveness and EU values, the MOVE project’s resources and MOVE Methodology are now available. Take the first step toward creating more inclusive and supportive communities by exploring the guide today!