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Author: Veronica Charalambous

Primacenters Project Successfully Launches Kick-Off Meeting in Greece: Advancing Migrant Socio-Economic Integration in the EU Primary Sector

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Primacenters is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting the socio-economic integration of migrants in the EU primary sector. The project officially commenced with a successful kick-off meeting hosted by the Region of Peloponnese in Vrachati, on January 14-15, 2025. Co-funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement Number 101140836), this ambitious project brings together a diverse partnership of organisations from Greece, Germany, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, and Belgium, under the leadership of the Region of Peloponnese.

The kick-off meeting brought together representatives from partner organisations, including the Region of Peloponnese, Headway S.A., CARDET, Cyprus Labour Institute, Land Impresa Sociale, Confederacion Espanola de Cooperativas de Trabajo, KMOP Policy Center, as well as the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission.

The meeting was attended and addressed by the Head of the European Programmes & Innovation Office and Regional Councilor of Peloponnese, the Deputy Regional Governor of Corinth, and the Deputy Regional Governor of Public Health. The discussions focused on setting the foundation for the Primacenters Framework, designed to address the unique challenges migrants face in the primary sector, such as skills gaps, exploitation, and limited access to essential support services.

Key Objectives of the Primacenters Project:

• Establishing Primacenters in Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus to act as hubs for training, job placement, and rights advocacy for migrant workers.
• Enhancing skills recognition and providing tailored support to bridge language, professional, and social gaps.
• Promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, NGOs, employers, and local communities to foster inclusive networks.
• Developing innovative mechanisms and tools to streamline the integration process, including training programs, job-matching services, and cultural initiatives.

The project also aims to create policy recommendations for effectively integrating migrant workers, drawing on lessons learned during its implementation.

The Primacenters initiative represents a vital step toward addressing systemic issues in the primary sector, empowering migrants while supporting sustainable economic growth in rural and local areas. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it seeks to create a model for migrant integration that can be replicated across Europe.

For more information, please visit the website here.

Youth-Well Project: Successful Completion of Competency-Building Training

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

From January 21st to January 23rd, the Youth-Well project successfully hosted a Transnational Competency-Building Training in Belgrade, Serbia. Organized by our partners at WEBIN, the event brought together youth workers from various regions to enhance their skills and share best practices in an interactive and international learning environment.

The training sessions introduced participants to key resources developed in earlier phases of the project, including the Training Package and the Youth Worker’s Manual. These materials provide valuable insights into fostering resilience, mental well-being, and active citizenship among young people, equipping youth workers with the necessary skills to effectively support and mentor the next generation. Through dynamic discussions, group exercises, and hands-on activities, attendees deepened their understanding of effective youth engagement strategies and innovative approaches in the field.

Participants also had the opportunity to collaborate on real-world case studies, applying their newly acquired knowledge to practical scenarios. This hands-on approach allowed them to test strategies, receive feedback, and refine their methods in a supportive environment, further strengthening their competencies as youth workers.

The event provided an excellent platform for collaboration, networking, and professional growth, reinforcing the commitment to empowering youth workers with the tools and knowledge needed for impactful engagement. See the highlights of the event in two parts here: PART1 and PART2

For more details and to access the training materials, visit our project’s eLearning platform

Stay tuned for more updates and future training opportunities! Visit the Youth-Well Project website here!

Choose-life Project Kicks Off in Palermo, Italy

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Choose-life Project Kicks Off in Palermo, Italy

The Choose-Life Project officially launched with a kick-off meeting held on the 15th and 16th of January, 2025, in Palermo, Italy. Representatives from the consortium gathered to outline the project’s ambitious mission of addressing youth drug abuse by promoting psychosocial well-being, education, and inclusion. Focused on marginalized youth aged 14-18, the initiative aims to provide preventive strategies, empower young people, upskill youth workers, and engage policymakers in fostering supportive social welfare policies.

Tackling Youth Drug Abuse in Europe

Youth drug abuse presents significant challenges across the project’s consortium countries, including Italy, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and Belgium. These countries face a variety of social and economic factors contributing to substance dependency among vulnerable youth populations. Marginalized groups, particularly those affected by poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to education, are at the highest risk. The Choose-Life Project seeks to tackle these challenges through tailored, evidence-based strategies that address the specific needs of each region while fostering a unified approach to youth empowerment.

Key Objectives and Work Packages

During the meeting, consortium members outlined the project’s key objectives and work packages, which include:

  • Research and Context Analysis: Understanding the specific needs of each region, and discussing several objectives, general overview of work packages, expected activities and results.
  • Capacity-Building for Youth Workers: Upskilling professionals working with young people.
  • Pilot of Innovative Preventive Measures: Testing new strategies to reduce drug abuse.
  • Youth Networks and Advocacy: Engaging young people in advocating for social welfare policies.
  • Communication Campaigns: Raising awareness about the risks of substance dependency and youth health literacy.

These efforts will be supported by robust quality assurance measures (WP6), led by CARDET, which will develop tools and indicators to evaluate the project’s impact and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Delivering Tangible Results

A central aspect of the initiative is its focus on delivering tangible results. These include:

  • Toolkits for Youth Workers: Practical resources to support youth workers in their day-to-day roles.
  • Policy Recommendations for Governments: Advocacy for the development of supportive policies.
  • Pilot Programs: Engaging young people directly in all partner countries.

The piloting phase will provide a critical opportunity to test and refine intervention strategies in real-world scenarios, ensuring their effectiveness and adaptability. By the project’s conclusion, Choose-Life aims to leave a lasting legacy of improved psychosocial well-being, reduced substance dependency, and stronger support networks for marginalized youth.

Grassroots Impact: Visits to Local Organizations

As part of the kick-off meeting, participants visited two local organizations in Palermo, SOS Ballarò and Porco Rosso, that exemplify grassroots efforts to promote social inclusion and empower vulnerable communities. These visits offered valuable insights into the challenges faced by marginalized youth and reinforced the importance of community-based solutions.

A Unified Approach for a Brighter Future

The Choose-Life Project, with its multi-faceted approach and commitment to collaboration, sets a strong foundation for addressing one of Europe’s most pressing social issues and creating a brighter, more inclusive future for young people.

Learn more about the Choose-Life Project by visiting the project’s website here.

Choose-life: Implementing a Drug-(ab)use Prevention Program & Shaping Youth Policies with Disadvantaged Young People for Psychosocial Well-being Promotion

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Projects & Initiatives, Youth, Rights & Inclusion.

The rise in social challenges, particularly affecting vulnerable youth, highlights a gap in social policy implementation, especially in providing supportive services and educational opportunities outside traditional settings. Drug abuse remains high across the EU, it prompts a crucial consideration regarding whether to continue criminalizing and further marginalizing young people engaged in such risky behaviours, or to first seek understanding of the underlying reasons. The Choose-life project aims to conduct a drug-ab(use) prevention program though a biopsychosocial lens & advocate for inclusive social policies for/with disadvantaged youth, while empowering youth workers, building better life chances and encouraging mindful choices.

The development of the Choose-life toolkit will include healthy leisure practices for young individuals with fewer opportunities. At the same time, youth workers social workers and educators will also be involved and trained through the Choose-life Curriculum and Manual. Young participants will have the opportunity to join capacity-building activities, trainings, job shadowing opportunities and to be part of the local Youth Choose councils in Italy, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and Belgium. People aged 13-18 years old will have the opportunity to be part of an International Youth-camp in Poland. 

Primacenters – Local Employment Eenters to Support Migrants’ Socio-economic Integration in the Primary Sector

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Projects & Initiatives, Youth, Rights & Inclusion.

Primacenters’ goal is to promote multistakeholder efforts for the effective socio -economic integration of migrants, both women and men, in the primary sector, by developing and piloting tailored and effective support services and mechanisms in the field. It builds on identified needs and gaps and engages a diversified group of organizations in a collective effort to support migrants’ effective integration and decent working conditions in the primary sector by working with both the migrants and the employers. Its strategy is branched in 5 strands of interventions:

1) Networking & knowledge gathering to mobilize key stakeholders, create local networks and consolidated knowledge in the field,
2) Development of focused employment support mechanisms & tools to provide focused support and upgrade current practices,
3) Capacity building to increase key stakeholders’ ability to intervene in the field and apply the developed mechanisms,
4) Primacenters’ establishment and piloting to put the developed mechanisms in practice, provide “job and offer” mapping, matching and reference services, informative, support, training and referral services, community-based activities and control mechanisms for employers and migrants and assess their impact,
5) Advocacy & awareness raising to contribute to improvements in the policy frameworks, seek for mechanisms’ official adoption and raise awareness of employers, migrants and local communities on key issues around the topic.

Download e-Leaflet here (EN)

CARDET Supports Green School Network Tree-Planting Initiative in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

In a significant step towards promoting environmental awareness and sustainability, students from Agios Antonios Lyceum participated in a tree-planting event at D Primary School in Limassol on January 31st, 2025. This initiative, part of the Green School Network, led by Global Education and the North-South Centre, aims to engage youth with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Approximately 20 enthusiastic students from Agios Antonios Lyceum planted around 15 trees in the school yard, using digging and planting tools provided by their school. The event was part of a broader campaign that included similar tree-planting activities across high schools in Cyprus, Greece, Syria, and Tunisia. The overarching goal is to educate students on environmental preservation and raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs.

Before planting, students received an introductory session on SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action), along with hands-on guidance on proper tree-planting techniques. Following the event, an online meeting was held with international collaborators, allowing students to share their experiences and best practices with their peers from other countries.

In Cyprus, the initiative was led by CARDET, highlighting the Centre’s commitment to fostering environmental consciousness among the younger generation. This tree-planting event not only enhanced the school’s greenery but also instilled a sense of responsibility in students, empowering them to contribute actively to a sustainable future.

Ageing Well Project: Empowering Caregivers Through A Transformative Learning Experience 

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

A groundbreaking learning opportunity for caregivers supporting the elderly took place online on January 27-28, 2024. The Ageing Well Project, with the active participation of CARDET, successfully delivered a Train-the-Trainers Master Class, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies for enhancing the well-being of older adults.

The interactive sessions featured live-evoking presentations and fostered the exchange of best practices in compassionate caregiving. Caregivers and adult educators engaged in discussions on critical topics, including:

  • Raising awareness of age discrimination and stereotypes
  • Understanding and mapping the fundamental needs of the elderly
  • Building a strong foundation for well-being and quality of life
  • Monitoring and supporting elderly individuals in their well-being practices
  • Effective communication strategies for engaging with the elderly
  • Encouraging positive lifestyle changes and active ageing
  • Addressing compassion fatigue and prioritizing self-care for caregivers

This initiative provided participants with actionable tools and knowledge to enhance their caregiving approaches, ultimately promoting a more supportive and inclusive environment for elderly individuals.

The Ageing Well Project is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and those who support them. By offering innovative tools, training, and resources, we aim to promote well-being, resilience, and active engagement in society.

For those interested in fostering positive ageing experiences, further resources and information can be accessed through the project’s website, here.

MILES Project Hosts TPM and ToT in Cluj-Napoca, Advancing Media Literacy

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

From January 22nd to 24th, 2025, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, hosted the Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) and Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Media and Information Literacy and Pre-bunking Approaches for Critical Thinking in the Education Sector (MILES) Project. This event brought together partners from across the initiative to finalize key components of the project and prepare for upcoming teacher training programs.

The meeting provided a collaborative platform for partners to review and enhance the materials developed for the MILES project. Participants worked together to refine the training modules, brainstorm methodological frameworks for both Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and validate the final versions of exercises, games, and self-evaluation tools. These resources are tailored to equip teachers with effective strategies to address societal challenges in the online environment, particularly disinformation. More details related to this can be found here.

The MILES Project, an Erasmus+ initiative, is committed to building resilience against disinformation by fostering independent and critical thinking. By integrating media and information literacy, pre-bunking techniques, and data/digital literacy into ITT and CPD programs, the project aims to empower current and future educators to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

For more information about the project, visit the official website: MILES Project.

Final Conference Concludes the Green League – Sport Alliance for the Environment Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On January 24, 2025, the Green League – Sport Alliance for the Environment project culminated in a final conference held in Brussels, bringing together over 200 participants, including EU policymakers, sports and environmental stakeholders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and athletes. Τhe event showcased the project’s outcomes, promoted a greener sports sector, and highlighted the potential of sports as a powerful tool for environmental education. The conference reaffirmed the project’s dedication to fostering a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem across Europe.

The agenda featured a variety of engaging activities aimed at inspiring dialogue and action. Highlights included the presentation of the Green League Model, an innovative framework designed to integrate environmental awareness into sports. Attendees explored a dynamic exhibition of “Green Zines” inspired by nature’s four elements and enjoyed a documentary showcasing the project’s achievements and best moments. The conference concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by key EU stakeholders, symbolizing their commitment to establishing an EU Sport Alliance for the Environment.

Over the course of 30 months, the Green League project worked to build the capacity of sports professionals and organizations to champion sustainability through outdoor physical activities. Local Green Leagues, which combined sports tournaments with environmental initiatives, were successfully piloted, actively engaging sports clubs, young players, and amateur athletes. These efforts demonstrated the power of experiential learning and collaborative development in advancing environmental awareness within the sports sector.

The conference underscored the transformative potential of sports in addressing climate change and fostering sustainability. Discussions delved into how sports organizations can influence climate action policies, ranging from reducing energy use and implementing recycling programs to initiating community-driven environmental projects. Participants highlighted the importance of partnerships between sports entities and environmental organizations to develop impactful, scalable solutions that engage both institutions and fans.

By promoting sports as a vehicle for environmental education, the Green League project has set the stage for a new era of sustainable practices in the European sports sector. As the EU continues to prioritize sports as a means to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges, the lessons learned and partnerships formed through this initiative provide a valuable roadmap for the future.

The conference not only marked the conclusion of the project, but also signaled the beginning of a broader movement toward a greener, more sustainable sports ecosystem.

Learn more about the project here.

Green League Event: Sports as a Catalyst for Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The event “Role Models and Social Responsibility in Sports’’ organized by the CARDET research center in collaboration with GDA Sports, was held successfully on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, at the Cyta Amphitheater in Nicosia.  The discussion focused on the role of sports in shaping social values, promoting sustainability, and enhancing social inclusion within the framework of the European project Green League: Sport Alliance for the Environment.

The event brought together distinguished individuals from Cypriot sports, research, and civil society, who analyzed various aspects of social responsibility, sustainability in sports through green practices, and the power of sports as a catalyst for social change.

Keynote Speakers and Outcomes 

  • Nektarios Alexandrou, former international footballer, Football Youth Elite Coach, Technical Director (U14-U15) & Coach (U15) at Chalkanoras Idaliou, Founder & Director of GDA Sports LTD & Excel Football Project LTD, highlighted the importance of mental health and empowering young athletes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to boost their confidence and help them manage pressure.
  • Maria Markou, Paralympic Powerlifter, shared her personal experiences, shedding light on the strength of inclusive integration and the challenges faced by athletes with disabilities, underlining that such challenges can serve as inspiration for society.
  • Panicos Xiourouppas, former international footballer, President of “Iliaktida Zois”, and Vice President of the initiative “Goal in Life’’, focused on the role of athletes as social role models, emphasizing the unifying power of sports in building bridges of understanding.
  • Leontios Tselepos, Lawyer and Sports Administration Consultant, elaborated on the principles of social responsibility, highlighting the need to adopt sustainable practices to strengthen trust and connections with society.
  • Constantinos Kaïlis, Operations Manager at the “Tasos Papanastasiou Foundation”, presented green initiatives in sports, stressing that environmental consciousness must be integrated into all aspects of sports activities.
  • Antonis Alexopoulos, Lecturer in Sports Sociology at the European University of Cyprus, emphasized the importance of sports facilities as a basis for promoting sustainability in local communities.
  • Marinos Papaioakeim, Team Leader of the Sustainable Development Department at CARDET, analyzed the role of athletes as sustainability ambassadors, pointing out their ability to inspire the younger generation to take action for the environment.
  • Vanessa Symeonidou, CARDET’s Project Officer, presented the Green League project and explained how sports can connect people to the environment and encourage sustainable practices through outdoor activities and environmental awareness.

The event concluded with active dialogue and an exchange of views, reaffirming the importance of sports as a tool for social change and the promotion of sustainability and diversity. Participants expressed their commitment to creating a fairer, more inclusive, and greener future through sports.

As a symbolic yet substantial gesture, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place, sealing the commitment of CARDET, on behalf of the Green League project, and 10 collaborating organizations, associations, and individuals to promote the principles of the Green League Model for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

The event was moderated by Mikaello Papadakis, Journalist and Director of Total Sports Marketing. For more information about the Green League project, visit the website here.