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Author: Veronica Charalambous

EPIC New Training Framework launched: A deep dive into Curriculum Design and Implementation Strategy

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The newly developed curriculum offers a comprehensive educational journey into social entrepreneurship, specifically designed to cultivate a social innovation mindset among young people in the Western Balkans. Structured across six core modules, the program guides learners from the foundational trends of social entrepreneurship and the EntreComp Framework to the practicalities of social business modeling and opportunity identification. To ensure a holistic learning experience, the content is delivered through an interactive eCourse and a downloadable PDF, complemented by a series of assessments that validate the acquisition of key entrepreneurial skills.

Beyond the core instructional content, the implementation strategy includes a specialized Train the Trainers Manual, serving as a definitive guide for educators to deliver the curriculum effectively. This is further supported by a suite of supplementary materials and resources that bridge the gap between social work and entrepreneurial initiatives. By providing these tools, the initiative ensures that trainers and participants alike are equipped with a toolkit to navigate social innovation, from initial planning to the successful execution of social business models.

Training implementation across the Western Balkans showed high engagement. In Kosovo, 83% of participants were women, and over 70% of youth found the curriculum completely relevant. Albania’s
sessions integrated local social enterprises, with 92.9% of youth rating the training’s utility as high. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a youth-led approach provided many participants with their first structured exposure to social entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the EPIC project here: https://epic-project.eu/ 

Civic Champions: International Consultation Meeting in Vienna Advances Efforts to Safeguard Civic Space in the EU

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 26 September 2025, the Civic Champions Project convened its International Consultation Meeting on Safeguarding Civic Space in the EU at Impact Hub Vienna. The event brought together representatives from European institutions, civil society organisations, local authorities, and digital innovation experts to address pressing challenges facing civic space across the region.

The meeting opened with remarks from Mariyan K. Sabev, Director of Communications & Senior Security Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy, and Rania El Ampasy, Civic Engagement and Governance Unit Coordinator at KMOP. They underlined the urgency of reinforcing civic freedoms and fostering resilience in the face of growing pressures on democratic participation.

In the session Civic Space at a Crossroads – Threats and Resilience in Focus, leading experts including Waltraud Heller (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights), Shams Asadi (Head of Human Rights Office, City of Vienna), Hedvig Morvai (ERSTE Stiftung), and Cristina Marcuzzo (DG Research & Innovation, European Commission) shared perspectives on current challenges and strategies to safeguard civic space.

The keynote address, Smarter Safeguards – How Digital Tools Can Protect Democratic Space, was delivered by Arno Scharl, Managing Partner at webLyzard technology, highlighting how innovative technologies can support civil society organisations (CSOs) in navigating emerging threats.

A central focus of the consultation was the presentation of the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) by Rania El Ampasy, showcasing its potential as a monitoring tool to identify risks and provide timely responses for CSOs. Participants later engaged in a Feedback and Q&A session to further shape and strengthen the EWM.

The consultation concluded with closing remarks from Rania El Ampasy, emphasising the importance of collaboration and joint commitment to preserving democratic space across the EU.

This international gathering marks an important milestone in the Civic Champions Project’s mission to foster dialogue, strengthen safeguards, and empower civil society in Europe.

Learn more about the Civic Champions Project here.

European Parliament Hosts Final Just4All Policy Roundtable on Inclusive Adult Learning for a Just Transition

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 24 September 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted the Final EU Policy Roundtable of the Just4All project, bringing together policymakers, civil society representatives, and education experts to explore how adult learning can drive a fair and inclusive green and digital transition.

The event kicked off with opening remarks from the Secretary-General of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), Raffaela Kihrer. This introduction highlighted the goal of the project not only to give people skills to engage in democratic processes which foster a just transition, but to equip people with the power and voice to face a changing political landscape.

MEP Victor Negrescu (S&D) then took the floor to deliver the keynote speech. The speech focused on the need to put people in the driver’s seat when it comes to the multiple transitions Europe is facing, and the outcomes of the Just4All project, which put forward concrete means of achieving this. Over the past two years, Just4All has developed innovative tools and policy recommendations to ensure that vulnerable groups—particularly migrants, women, and low-skilled adults—are not left behind in Europe’s transformations.

The programme featured national insights from the project partners, the presentation of the Just4All multilingual MOOC and Toolkit, and a policy roundtable with EU officials, academics, and civil society leaders. Insights from each of the national project partners in their contexts, were presented by: Xanthia Aristidou, CARDET, Cyprus, Lorraine O’Connor, AONTAS, Ireland, Jörgen Danielsson, ABF, Sweden, Océane Danieli, Ligue de l’Enseignement, France. The Just4All toolkit was presented by Angeliki Giannakopoulou, Senior Policy and Project Coordinator at EAEA. Then, the policy roundtable got underway. The discussion was moderated by Elisa Gambardella, Education and Lifelong Learning Coordinator at SOLIDAR, and heard inputs from: Frank Siebern-Thomas, Head of Unit F.3 in DG EMPL working on Fair Green and Digital Transitions, Majda Richer, Projects and Research Associate, International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), Gaetano Sciarotta, Policy Officer, SOLIDAR. 

Frank Siebern-Thomas reflected on how to disseminate the recommendations stemming from the project further and the need for consultation with civil society to reach target groups in social inclusion policies such as those addressed by Just4All. Majda Richer spoke about the key role that partnerships play in advancing a just transition, and the need to harness partnerships to ensure civic education allows all voices to be heard as part of just transitions. Gaetano Sciarotta finished by presenting the roadmap and recommendations which came out of the Just4All project, which target policy-makers as well as educators and civil society working on adult education and lifelong learning.

The event was closed by SOLIDAR’s Secretary-General, Mikael Leyi, who delivered a call to action to continue centring people – including marginalised groups – in our work to advance a just transition for all. Closing reflections highlighted the project’s strong contribution to the European Pillar of Social Rights, especially in advancing lifelong learning (Principle 1) and equal access to services (Principle 20). Participants underlined the urgent need for continued investment in inclusive adult education to ensure no one is excluded from Europe’s green and digital future.

The Just4All project (2023–2025) leaves behind a legacy of practical tools, evidence-based policy recommendations, and a forward-looking Road Map that will continue to inform European strategies for social fairness and sustainable development.

Learn more about the Just4All project by visiting its website.

DISCOVER Piloting Phase in Tunisia Successfully Completed: Six training Implementations Delivered across Three VET Centres

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Following completion of the DISCOVER training resource package – comprising the Curriculum for VET Providers, the Curriculum for VET Trainers and the Master Trainers’ Handbook – and the subsequent online Training of Trainers programme involving approximately 20 Tunisian trainers, the project progressed to the implementation phase.

Between May and June, and again in September 2025, the three partner Tunisian VET centres – CFA Bizerte, CFA Menzel Bourguiba and CSFAG Ariana – each delivered two training courses: one dedicated to VET Providers and one dedicated to VET Trainers. In total, six training implementations were conducted across the three centres.

These sessions were facilitated by the DISCOVER “Master Trainers”, previously selected and prepared through the dedicated online ToT. This implementation phase therefore represented the first full deployment of the DISCOVER training resources in real training environments.

Across all sites, 75 VET professionals participated. According to the data submitted by the centres, and based on participant feedback collected through the evaluation tools, the training initiatives achieved very positive results. Participants highlighted the high relevance and usefulness of the content, the balance of theory and practice, and the value added by the blend of classroom activities, digital tools and interactive exercises. The blended learning model, the collaborative approach and the strong focus on practical application were collectively viewed as key drivers of learning impact.

Learn more about the project by visiting the project’s website.

GET POLITICAL Project Showcases Political Literacy Booklet at UpToYouth Festival in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 20 September 2025, CARDET successfully tested the Booklet of Political Literacy Practices of the EU-funded GET POLITICAL project during the UpToYouth Festival in Nicosia. The session engaged youth workers and educators in an inspiring discussion on civic participation and critical thinking.

For the testing, the project brought together 12 representatives from diverse organisations, including Friends of the Earth, the Cyprus Youth Council, Terra Cypria, and the NGO Support Centre. Participants studied the booklet, exchanged insights, and shared feedback both verbally and via an online questionnaire.

Feedback was highly positive: participants praised the usefulness and diversity of the initiatives, noting their potential to inspire new civic actions across Cyprus. One initiative on critical thinking was described as “outstanding and really useful”.

At the same time, participants suggested improvements to make the booklet more accessible and engaging. Recommendations included shortening the text, integrating more images and graphics, adding links to the initiatives, and restructuring chapters for easier navigation.

The testing highlighted the booklet’s strong relevance at both local and national levels, reinforcing its value as a tool for empowering youth and strengthening democratic engagement.

Learn more about the project, here: https://getpolitical-project.eu/ 

iWell Project Selected for the European School Education Platform

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

We are proud to share that our project iWell – Enhancing Digital and Social Wellbeing in Schools (https://iwellproject.eu/), developed by CARDET and INNOVADE, representing Cyprus, has been selected for publication in the Toolkit for School Success on the European School Education Platform – the official initiative of the European Commission.

The Toolkit showcases high-quality resources and initiatives that drive educational innovation across Europe. Each entry is carefully reviewed by an independent Editorial Board of experts, making this recognition a significant milestone for the iWell consortium.

The iWell project empowers primary school pupils aged 6–12 to develop healthier online habits and stronger social wellbeing. Through curricula, training materials for teachers, engaging health literacy mini-games, and policy recommendations, the project equips schools and communities with practical tools to foster digital resilience, wellbeing, and balanced lifestyles.

By focusing on health literacy and supportive learning environments, iWell enables children to take greater control of their health while promoting digital wellbeing and balanced lifestyles. Its participatory learning approach encourages pupils to actively engage with health topics in meaningful ways.

The project places emphasis on four key areas to improve pupils’ health, namely:

  • Equipping educators with curricula and teaching practices to promote health literacy and social wellbeing.
  • Enhancing pupils’ digital and life skills, especially around safe and healthy media use.
  • Supporting teachers in fostering critical thinking and health literacy in the classroom.
  • Providing European educators with innovative methods, ICT tools, and research-based evidence through a practical toolkit.

The project has produced the following outputs, most of which are publicly available:

  • Curriculum and training material for educators: Addresses the needs of primary education teachers using a ‘skills-based health education’ approach, equipping them to enhance pupils’ key life skills and support informed decision-making online.
  • Health literacy mini-games: Cover topics such as managing screen time, addressing cyberbullying, and navigating online risks, while strengthening pupils’ decision-making, social skills, and self-confidence.
  • Toolkit with policy and practice recommendations: Offers a collection of lessons learned, best practices, and targeted recommendations for both policymakers and practitioners across Europe.

This recognition highlights the project’s contribution to supporting educators, school leaders, parents, and policymakers in cultivating inclusive and healthy learning environments.

“We often focus only on curriculum and results, but iWell showed us that happiness and resilience matter just as much,” commented an educator participant from Cyprus.We are honoured to see iWell featured among initiatives that inspire and shape positive educational change across Europe.

CARDET’s e-Protect Project Wins European Innovative Teaching Award 2025

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The European Commission has announced the winners of the European Innovative Teaching Awards (EITA) 2025, recognizing 117 teachers and schools from over 30 countries, both within and outside the EU, for their groundbreaking projects supported by the Erasmus+ programme. Among the winners are five projects implemented in Cyprus, including CARDET’s and Research and Innovation Foundation’s (RIF) “e-Protect”.

The award celebrates educators who introduce innovative, interactive, and inclusive teaching methods that pave the way for a brighter future for the next generations. The 2025 winners were distinguished for promoting active citizenship and preparing learners of all ages with the skills necessary to engage in public life and advance European values such as freedom, solidarity, and inclusion.

CARDET’s project “e-Protect: Security Toolkit for the Protection of Consumers and Personal Data of Older Adults in Online Environments” stood out for its innovative approach to empowering older adults with essential digital skills. Through practical tools and tailored training, e-Protect bridged the digital divide, raised awareness on data protection, and safeguarded consumer rights, promoting safer and more confident use of the internet for a vulnerable group of the population.

The winners will share their best practices at the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 Ceremony, which will take place on 8–9 December 2025 in Brussels and online. Their work will also be showcased on the award’s website, Erasmus+ social media channels, the European Education Area portal, and the European School Education platform.

Learn more about the e-Protect project here!

From Idea to Action: Citizens Explore Sustainability Through Crowdsourcing at AELIA Webinar

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 15 September 2025, CARDET, in collaboration with the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute and the Unit for Environment and Sustainable Development, hosted the online webinar “Citizens Explore Sustainability Through Crowdsourcing” («Από την ιδέα στην πράξη: Υποστήριξη έργων αειφορίας μέσω του crowdsourcing»), conducted in Greek.

The event brought together 22 participants, including students, educators, and citizens from a variety of disciplines. The session introduced attendees to the AELIA project, highlighting its objectives and key results, such as the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and the AELIA crowdsourcing platform.

A live demonstration showcased the platform’s main features, illustrating how it enables citizens to contribute, collaborate, and share good practices in sustainability. Participants also explored real examples of school-based sustainability initiatives already uploaded on the platform. Although these projects were developed in educational settings, the facilitator emphasized that they remain open to community participation, offering opportunities for wider engagement and collective impact.

The AELIA project seeks to equip citizens with the skills and competences essential for the green transition. To achieve this, the project adopts a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder, whole-institutional approach that spans formal and non-formal education, businesses, civil society, and the public sector. Participants from these diverse spheres will be actively involved in all phases of the project, guided by a quadruple helix innovation model.

Through this collaborative effort, AELIA aims to create an enabling learning ecosystem that fosters transformative change at the institutional, individual, and societal levels—bringing sustainability from ideas into action.

Learn more about the AELIA project here.

Strengthening Digital Innovation in VET: VIRDUAL Project Partners Meet in Nicosia

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET had the pleasure of hosting the 4th Transnational Partners Meeting of the VIRDUAL project at its offices in Nicosia, welcoming partners from Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Germany. The meeting served as a valuable platform for reviewing project progress, exchanging insights, and planning the next steps toward advancing digital innovation in Vocational Education and Training (VET).

A key focus of the discussions was the project’s upcoming deliverables, including an instructional web app and an e-Learning campus, designed to foster engaging and impactful learning experiences. Partners explored how these tools can be integrated into work-based learning (WBL) programmes to support both trainers and learners.

The VIRDUAL project aims to strengthen the digital capacity of VET centres and companies by equipping teachers and in-company trainers with the knowledge and skills to use Extended Reality (XR) technologies. By applying XR tools and simulation techniques, trainers will be able to prepare apprentices and WBL participants with essential work-readiness skills, enhancing their employability and adaptability.

Through a dual approach, VIRDUAL focuses on:

  •  Training VET teachers and in-company trainers to use XR effectively for teaching and assessment.
  • Supporting apprentices and WBL participants in developing work-readiness skills through immersive XR-based experiences.

The Nicosia meeting reaffirmed the commitment of all partners to advancing innovative solutions that bring digital transformation to VET, ensuring learners and educators are well-prepared for the future world of work.

Learn more about the VIRDUAL project here!