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Author: Veronica Charalambous

UxGE Project Participates in the Pancyprian Red Cross Cyprus Youth Conference

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 16, 2024, CARDET actively participated in the Pancyprian Conference of the Red Cross Cyprus Youth Department at Xenion School in Paralimni, offering an engaging session aimed at empowering young people.

The event provided a dynamic platform for CARDET to introduce the UxGE Project to youth members and volunteer leaders of the Red Cross Cyprus. The presentation highlighted the project’s goals, which focus on sustainability and the pivotal role youth can play in shaping a more sustainable future. CARDET extended an open invitation to participants, encouraging them to join the project’s upcoming activities and contribute to meaningful change.

Following the presentation, attendees participated in an interactive workshop on sustainability. The workshop emphasized the vital role of youth in advancing sustainable development goals, fostering meaningful discussions, and inspiring participants to generate actionable ideas.

This event marked the 4th stakeholder meeting, part of a series designed to showcase the UxGE Project’s core objectives, target audiences, planned activities, and anticipated outcomes. A key highlight was the introduction of the Online Training Course (OTC), the project’s first major deliverable, which equips participants with essential knowledge and skills for sustainable development.

The successful engagement demonstrated the growing impact of the UxGE Project and the passion of Cyprus’s youth to take the lead in building a sustainable future. This partnership highlights the mutual dedication of CARDET and the Red Cross Cyprus Youth Department to promoting education, empowerment, and environmental stewardship among young leaders in Cyprus..

Learn more about the UxGE Project here

Building Democracy Through Civic Champions: Engaging Citizens for a Stronger Future

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 20, 2024, the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens and CARDET hosted the open discussion “Opening the Dialogue in Democracy” at the Presidential Palace. Attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, citizens, professionals, community organizations, and government officials, the event aimed to promote participatory democracy and strengthen civil society.

The discussion, part of the EU-funded “Civic Champions” project, focused on key themes:

  • Promoting democratic values and active civic participation.
  • Encouraging citizen involvement through initiatives like Citizen Initiatives and Public Consultations.
  • Enhancing transparency via collaboration between the state and civil society.
  • Strengthening legislative support for civil society organizations.

Journalist Evangelos Agapiou moderated the interactive dialogue, fostering meaningful exchanges about advancing democracy in Cyprus.

Key Highlights

President Christodoulides stressed the importance of transparent governance to rebuild trust, particularly among youth. He highlighted initiatives like ekfraCy and Voice of the Citizen that ensure accountability by tracking government decisions and their progress.

Commissioner Panayiotis Palates noted that democracy requires active citizen participation, emphasizing the need for modern frameworks to amplify civil society’s impact.

Dr. Elena Papamichael from the Ministry of Education highlighted teaching strategies to address human rights and democratic citizenship in schools.

Mr. George Matthaiopoulos of the Ministry of Interior underscored dialogue as central to healthy democratic processes, calling democracy a “collective responsibility”.

Dr. Olivia Patsalidou from the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteering emphasized supporting NGOs through legislation and fostering participation via campaigns and digital tools.

Mr. Nikolas Mousoulides of the Ministry of Labor announced a campaign on institutional awareness and an upcoming platform to improve e-governance and accessibility, launching in early 2025.

Ms. Michaela Protopapa, representing CARDET, presented the Civic Champions initiative, which empowers citizens for active participation and social change. She also reinforced CARDET’s commitment to supporting civil society, promoting inclusive governance, and advancing participatory democracy through innovative initiatives and strategic collaboration.

The event concluded with a strong call for collective efforts to create a more inclusive and transparent democracy, ensuring every citizen’s voice is heard.

Final Meeting Marks Completion of SDG NAVIGATOR Project in Lithuania

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The SDG NAVIGATOR project concluded with its final Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 19–20, 2024. Dedicated to empowering individuals as sustainability changemakers, the project has delivered innovative, learner-centered vocational education and training (VET) tools. These resources aim to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to advance sustainable development and support entrepreneurial efforts in the sustainability sector.

During the meeting, project partners reviewed and finalized key deliverables, including:

  • A comprehensive competencies dictionary,
  • A tailored learning path, and
  • A versatile toolbox.

These resources are now freely accessible on the SDG NAVIGATOR Hub, an online platform created to assist educators and learners in achieving sustainability goals. Visit the Hub at https://sdgnavigator.eu/ for more information, or request personalized guidance.

The SDG NAVIGATOR project has developed unique, action-oriented learning materials designed to enhance individual capacities to contribute to sustainability goals. By providing open-access VET resources, the project fosters social and eco-entrepreneurship while promoting practical, step-by-step actions for meaningful change.

Ultimately, SDG NAVIGATOR aims to nurture a culture of sustainability entrepreneurship and reinforce an entrepreneurial mindset that drives progress. By focusing on local, national, and European levels, the project contributes to the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across diverse communities.

Discover more about the SDG NAVIGATOR project here.

EGIDEV Project Advances at Third Transnational Project Meeting in Rome

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The third Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) for the EGIDEV Project, held in Rome on November 4-5, marked a significant milestone in the development of an educational board game aimed at teaching digital entrepreneurship to Vocational Education and Training (VET) students.

During the meeting, key project members gathered to review the current version of the board game and conduct demo play sessions to test it. On the first day, project partners engaged in an initial test session, followed by a second day of testing with external participants from Italy. The objective was to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and make final adjustments before advancing to the next phases. The next in-person meeting for project partners is scheduled for spring 2025 in Portugal.

This innovative game uses gamification to teach students about entrepreneurship, aligning with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the EntreComp model to facilitate hands-on learning of essential business competencies. The demo play session yielded valuable insights that will guide final refinements, bringing the project closer to its goal of empowering VET students and educators to engage meaningfully with digital entrepreneurship.

The EGIDEV team is eager to integrate the feedback received, striving to make a lasting impact on digital entrepreneurship education across the EU.

More information about the EGIDEV Project can be found here

Civic Champions Launches Its First Newsletter

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Civic Champions Project is pleased to announce the launch of its project activities, marked by the release of its first newsletter.

Aiming to identify, document, and primarily address the challenges faced by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Southern Europe, the team of Civic Champions announces the launch of its project activities. Civic Champions is an international project funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program and is implemented by the Center for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria), CESIE (Italy), KMOP (Greece), and CARDET (Cyprus).

Download the newsletter below to learn more about the first launch event in Greece and the upcoming launch events, in each country, known as the Civic Champions Days. These events will provide opportunities to explore and discuss the challenges faced by EU Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and address critical issues such as shrinking civic space, disinformation, and online threats.

CARDET Hosts Partners’ Meeting for JUST4ALL Project in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 13th and 14th, CARDET proudly hosted the Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) for the JUST4ALL project in Cyprus. This important event brought together European partners dedicated to developing innovative and inclusive Adult Learning and Education (ALE) models. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for partners to collaborate and advance the project’s mission of fostering an inclusive recovery while supporting Europe’s digital and green transitions.

The JUST4ALL initiative places a special focus on empowering migrants, women, and low-skilled adults, ensuring they are active participants in the societal changes brought about by digitalization and environmental transformation. By targeting these groups, the project aims to create equitable educational pathways and support an inclusive transition.

During the two-day meeting, participants discussed critical aspects of the project’s progress. Key agenda items included reviewing a comprehensive report on best practices, analyzing national background papers on just transitions prepared by each partner country, and strategically planning the development of the project’s MOOC platform. This platform is set to become a vital tool for reaching broader audiences and providing accessible, innovative learning resources to adult learners across Europe.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to creating sustainable and just educational models that address the needs of diverse adult learners.

For more information about the JUST4ALL project and its partners, visit: JUST4ALL project page.

GROWS Project: A New Toolkit for VET Providers on Sustainable Waste Management and Green Transition

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

We are excited to unveil a new toolkit developed through the collaborative efforts of Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, and Poland. This toolkit is designed to support Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers in addressing the critical challenges of sustainable waste management and advancing the green transition.

The toolkit offers a comprehensive guide to the European Green Deal’s (EGD) waste management guidelines, providing practical strategies for embedding these principles into VET curricula. It also highlights essential green practices for VET providers and outlines the key competencies required for VET trainers to effectively teach these concepts.

Funded by the EU under the GROWS Project, this initiative aims to empower VET institutions with the expertise needed to meet the EGD’s waste management objectives. Partner countries have contributed valuable insights from national and European perspectives on sustainable waste management strategies.

Access the toolkit online here, and learn more about the GROWS Project here.

Grey4Green Project Concludes with Final Conference in Portugal, Celebrating Contributions to Environmental Conservation

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Grey4Green Project, an EU-funded initiative focused on promoting active aging and environmental stewardship among senior citizens, concluded its impactful journey this week with a successful Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Ílhavo, Portugal. The two-day event, held on November 5-6, marked a significant milestone, bringing together collaborators and community stakeholders to celebrate Grey4Green’s achievements.

The first day featured a Final Conference at the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo, hosted by Bioliving and the Municipality of Lousada, bringing together experts and participants under the theme “The Role of Local and Geriatric Communities in Environmental Conservation: Challenges and Solutions”. Attendees engaged in hands-on workshops on sustainable gardening and zero food waste, tailored to the interests and abilities of older adults. They also participated in thought-provoking discussions on how communities can involve senior residents in meaningful dialogues, particularly in the areas of nature conservation and sustainability. A zero-waste cooking workshop demonstrated creative ways to use all ingredients, resulting in delicious muffins, and there was also a tree-planting activity. These sessions provided seniors with practical, accessible tools to contribute meaningfully to local sustainability efforts, enhancing both their well-being and environmental awareness.

On the second day, project stakeholders convened to review Grey4Green’s various Work Packages, key components of the project’s framework. CARDET led a thorough assessment of the website and platform developments, visual content on the YouTube channel, and the impact of each initiative. This session enabled partners to consolidate project successes and outline future steps for integrating senior-friendly environmental practices across the EU.

The event highlighted Grey4Green’s mission to foster social inclusion for the elderly through active participation in environmental projects. By promoting intergenerational dialogue, practical conservation skills, and awareness of older adults’ contributions, Grey4Green has set a valuable example for future programs focused on active aging and climate action.

Grey4Green empowers senior citizens by involving them in conservation activities that promote social inclusion and active aging. Through training programs, workshops, and outreach campaigns, the project has advocated for seniors as key contributors to environmental preservation.

For more information on Grey4Green’s journey and resources, visit grey4green.eu.

CARDET Donates Refurbished Laptops to Students in Need Through INCLUDE-CE Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 6, 2024, in a heartwarming ceremony at CASA College, Nicosia, CARDET donated refurbished laptops to 10 outstanding students from CASA College and Kasa High School. The event celebrated these students’ dedication to academic excellence and community engagement, with each recipient receiving a laptop to support their studies and future aspirations.

This donation is part of the INCLUDE-CE Project, a European Commission-funded initiative focused on promoting social inclusion and employability for migrant and refugee communities through digital literacy and skills training. By providing access to essential technology, INCLUDE-CE equips young people with the tools needed to succeed in a digital economy. The project also emphasizes sustainability, demonstrating the value of a circular economy by repurposing laptops to reduce waste and support greener practices.

At the ceremony, Mrs. Elina Saveriades, Director of Saveriades Educational Organization, thanked CARDET for its meaningful contribution, underscoring the positive impact these laptops will have on students’ academic journeys. Mrs. Maria Yiannoulou, Principal of Kasa High School, highlighted the donation’s significant role in helping students reach their educational goals.

Representing CARDET, Dr. Marinos Papaioakeim, Head of Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship, spoke on the organization’s commitment to fostering social inclusion. He outlined INCLUDE-CE’s mission to address the unique challenges faced by migrants and refugees, supporting their integration into society and the workforce through essential digital skills.

As a leading center for innovation in education, CARDET remains dedicated to empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, providing resources and skills to help build brighter futures. This laptop donation reflects CARDET’s commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable opportunities for all.

Learn more about the INCLUDE-CE Project here.

Pilot Tests of Coding4Kids Learning Modules Held at Dasoupoli All-Day School, Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

From November 4 to 6, Dasoupoli All-Day School in Nicosia, Cyprus, hosted pilot tests for the new learning modules of the Coding4Kids Project. More than sixty students participated in hands-on sessions designed to integrate coding into primary and secondary education through an accessible and engaging curriculum. These pilot tests aimed to evaluate the modules’ effectiveness and collect real-time feedback, marking a crucial step in developing an adaptable coding program for diverse educational contexts across Europe.

During the piloting sessions, students explored three modules: Computer Language, Essential Elements of Programming, and Automation and Integration. Utilizing Scratch, an online programming platform, they engaged with core coding concepts following an introductory module titled “Methods and Processes”, which establishes foundational programming principles. Throughout the sessions, teachers observed student interactions and gathered feedback to refine the curriculum, focusing on the modules’ clarity, engagement, and impact.

The Coding4Kids project aims to equip primary and secondary school educators, regardless of their technical background, with resources to introduce coding concepts. The program includes 12 learning modules with 36 structured lesson plans, alongside a teacher training package designed to enhance educators’ coding competencies. This approach seeks to develop students’ logical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, essential skills for today’s digital workforce. By addressing the digital skills gap in ICT education, the project aligns with European goals for enhancing digital literacy and preparing future generations for a tech-driven world.

More information about the Coding4Kids project can be found here.