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Author: Veronica Charalambous

INNOVATE Project Partners Meet in Helsinki to Advance SME Innovation Strategies

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On September 24-25, 2024, the EU-funded INNOVATE Project convened its TPM4 partners meeting in Helsinki. This key milestone furthered the project’s mission to identify, develop, and promote innovative approaches for enhancing vocational education and training systems, with a focus on the ISO56000 innovation framework.

During the meeting, partners reviewed the progress of tools aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate innovation into their strategic planning. These tools are designed to foster sustainable growth and strengthen competitiveness in today’s dynamic marketplace.

As co-organizers and participants, the INNOVATE team reflected on their achievements and outlined the next steps to finalize and promote these solutions across various sectors. This meeting marks an important advancement in supporting sustainable business practices through innovation, aligning with the broader goals of the European Union.

In conjunction with the meeting, partners explored the various competences and skills that “Innovation Management” encompasses, which include:

  • Strategic Thinking: Identifying opportunities for innovation and aligning them with organizational goals.
  • Creativity and Problem Solving: Generating and implementing novel ideas and solutions.
  • Project Management: Planning, executing, and monitoring innovation initiatives.
  • Change Management: Facilitating and managing organizational change resulting from innovation.
  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering cross-functional and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with innovation.
  • Customer and Market Insight: Understanding customer needs and market trends to drive innovation.
  • Leadership and Vision: Inspiring and guiding teams towards innovative solutions.
  • Technological Competence: Leveraging emerging technologies for innovation.
  • Resource Management: Allocating and managing resources efficiently to support innovation efforts.

Additionally, the partners from the Helsinki Business College arranged an online casting of the Nordic Business Forum, happening live at the College during partners’ attendance. Participants had the opportunity to watch Adam Grant, a world-renowned bestselling author, discuss hidden potential and achievement, providing invaluable insights into personal and organizational innovation.

Find out more about the INNOVATE Project, here.

Anti-Rumours Workshop Explores Strategies to Combat Stereotypes and Discrimination

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET, hosted on September 26, at the Famagusta Avenue Garage, an impactful Anti-Rumours workshop. The workshop explored the detrimental effects of rumours in communities and provided participants with practical guidance and tools to challenge misinformation and counter stereotypes that feed discrimination and fuel hate, empowering them to promote a more inclusive, understanding society. 

The keynote speaker, Dani de Torres, Director of the Spanish Network of Intercultural Cities (RECI), offered valuable insights into the anti-rumours methodology – a proactive approach, designed to combat stereotypes by challenging misinformation and fostering dialogue. He highlighted how this approach has been successfully applied in various contexts with diverse groups, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to address stereotypes and promote positive change within their communities.

The workshop was part of the broader Intercultural Cities (ICC) project “Enhancing Structures and Policies for Intercultural Integration in Cyprus”. This initiative is co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Commission. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Project Number: Council of Europe 2023-2024.

More information about the ICC project can be found here.

Μαθαίνω Ελληνικά –  Πρόγραμμα Εκμάθησης Ελληνικών σε Ανήλικους Υπηκόους Τρίτων Χωρών (ΥΤΧ)

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

The “Μαθαίνω Ελληνικά” project supports the integration of children and teenagers (ages 6–18) with a migrant background living in Cyprus by offering opportunities to learn Greek as a second language. Through a blended learning approach, the project combines in-person and, providing age-appropriate lessons and interactive tools such as games, digital activities, and storytelling. It also fosters communication between schools and families and supports educators with tailored training. The project’s primary goal is to enhance the language skills and educational integration of these learners while contributing to their overall social inclusion.

UxGE Project Launches Stakeholder Engagement at Summer Camp in Limassol

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On July 8, 2024, the United for a Green Europe (UxGE) project launched its stakeholder engagement series with an inaugural event during a Summer Camp at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) in Limassol, Cyprus. This marked the first of eight stakeholder meetings to be hosted by each partner organization, designed to introduce the project and develop strategies to amplify its impact.

The meeting featured a comprehensive presentation of the UxGE project, outlining its objectives, target audiences, planned activities, and expected outcomes. A key highlight was the unveiling of the Online Training Course (OTC), the project’s first deliverable. Participants, including team leaders and youth mentors, were encouraged to enroll in the OTC and contribute to advancing the project’s environmental sustainability goals.

As part of the event, UxGE hosted an interactive workshop for young camp participants under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future: Teaching Children the Value of Recycling.” The workshop included a hands-on activity, “Plastic Survivor,” where children examined the environmental impact of plastic waste and brainstormed alternatives to single-use plastics. By crafting innovative items from recycled materials, participants tackled eco-survival challenges with creativity and determination, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. Practical tips for adopting eco-friendly habits at home and school were also shared, drawing from insights gained through the UxGE and SMILE projects.

Through initiatives like these, the UxGE consortium aims to engage diverse audiences and foster community-driven efforts to embrace greener lifestyles. By empowering individuals and organizations across Europe, the project strives to build a sustainable future for all.

To learn more about the project, visit its official website here.

The kick off meeting of EPIC project in Athens

EPIC Kick-Off Meeting in Athens: Empowering Youth for Social Change

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Athens, 6th & 7th of June – The EPIC project (Entrepreneurial Citizenship for Social Change), an Erasmus+ initiative, was launched with a highly successful kick-off meeting in Athens, Greece. The event brought together the entire partnership from Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Greece and Kosovo to discuss the project’s objectives, strategy, and upcoming activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurial citizenship among youth in the Western Balkans.

Challenge The Western Balkans face a significant challenge: limited awareness and understanding of social entrepreneurship among youth, stakeholders, and the public. This knowledge gap hinders the growth of social enterprises and their potential for creating social impact. The EPIC project addresses this challenge by equipping youth organizations with the necessary tools and resources to empower young people in establishing and operating social enterprises, thus encouraging them to actively address social challenges and influence their communities positively.

Innovation The EPIC project is designed to provide innovative solutions through two key components: the Training Programme on Social Entrepreneurship and the Toolkits for Development & Operation of Social Enterprises.

Action The kick-off meeting marked the beginning of a series of activities designed to empower youth organizations and young people in the Western Balkans. This initiative includes comprehensive training programs and practical toolkits to enhance the social entrepreneurship skills of youth workers and young individuals.

For more information about the EPIC project and to stay updated on our activities, please visit our website.

TINKER: New Transnational Report Highlights the State of Informatics Education Across Europe

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The TINKER project has released its Transnational Report on State-of-the-Art and Needs, providing a comparative analysis of informatics education across six European countries: Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Italy.

The report explores key themes such as the current status of informatics education, the implementation of authentic learning methodologies, and gender inclusion practices within educational systems. Complementing this, individual national reports offer deeper, country-specific insights into educational structures, challenges, and opportunities.

This resource is an important step toward fostering more inclusive, engaging, and future-ready informatics education across Europe.

TINKER Project aims to revolutionise informatics education in upper primary and lower secondary schools through a comprehensive pedagogical framework. Rooted in authentic learning principles, the project encourages students to engage with real-life tasks, promoting exploration and intentional connections between theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. Additionally, the project aims to address and overturn the severe underrepresentation of women and gender minorities in the field, by adopting a progressive gender-inclusive stance. In particular, it will promote gender-inclusive teaching practices creating positive student-centred environments that celebrate diversity.

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

Read the full report here.

Introducing the First DISCOVER Project Newsletter

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

We are pleased to share the first edition of the DISCOVER Project Newsletter, which offers an in-depth look at our collective efforts to strengthen the digital transformation of VET providers in Tunisia. This inaugural issue presents an overview of the project’s goals within the framework of the Torino Process, highlights the successful online kick-off meeting, and showcases the launch of the project website. It also introduces the six work packages that structure our activities, each contributing to the development of stronger digital learning strategies, tools, and training opportunities for VET instructors and trainers.

We invite you to download the full newsletter to explore these developments and gain insight into the next steps planned by the project partners. Inside, you will also find details on upcoming events, including the first face-to-face meeting in Nicosia, which will further strengthen cooperation and guide the project’s future direction.

Find out more about this interesting project here: https://discoverproject.eu/

CARDET Hosts First Transnational Coordination Meeting for UxGE Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On January 24th, CARDET proudly hosted the first Transnational Coordination Meeting of the UxGE project, which aims to empower youth leaders and young people by enhancing their key competences to create participatory proposals for a greener, more inclusive, and sustainable Europe.

Bringing together representatives from six partner organizations: Iniciativa Internacional Joven (Spain), Ayuntamiento de Málaga (Spain), The Rural Hub (Ireland), Asociacija Aktyvistai (Lithuania), Out of the Box International (Belgium), and CARDET (Cyprus), this meeting served as a pivotal opportunity to discuss the project’s work packages, set the framework for upcoming steps and activities, and establish strategies for effective management and communication.

The meeting also provided a platform for the consortium to clarify doubts, exchange ideas, and ensure a shared understanding of the project’s vision and goals. By hosting this event in Nicosia, CARDET reaffirmed its commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in youth development initiatives.

Stay tuned for updates as the UxGE project progresses. Visit its official website.

Green It Your Skills event in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The “GREEN IT YOUR SKILLS!” event, the fourth in the Green IT Your Work Project, took place from December 4th to 7th in Nicosia, Cyprus, organized by CARDET.

The event brought together 50 participants from 8 European countries to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable practices. On December 5th, participants engaged in presentations and interactive activities on climate change, sustainable fashion, and urban environments, followed by a city tour showcasing businesses with youth-focused sustainability initiatives.

December 6th featured a study visit to local businesses and a youth center in Agros village, where participants learned about sustainable practices and youth involvement in climate action. The event offered a valuable opportunity for youth, including NGO members, to expand their environmental knowledge and sense of responsibility. Gender considerations were integrated throughout the program to ensure inclusivity and balance.

Learn more about the project here!

EGIDEV Project Kicks Off with Inaugural Meeting in Antibes, France

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On November 22–23, 2023, the consortium of the Educational Game in Digital Entrepreneurship for VET Students (EGIDEV) project gathered in Antibes, France, for its kick-off meeting. The consortium includes partners from Bulgaria, France, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Türkiye, Romania, and Cyprus.

This two-day event marked the launch of EGIDEV’s mission to create an educational board game designed to foster innovative learning. The meeting focused on building connections, reviewing the project’s objectives, and planning initial activities, including branding and brainstorming ideas for the game’s design.

Key discussions addressed project implementation, financial management, and timelines for upcoming tasks. Partners also shared their expertise in educational game development and explored themes such as EdTech, AI, and Green Tech to inspire the game’s content.

The meeting concluded with plans for Work Package 2, stakeholder engagement strategies, and preparations for future project milestones. The EGIDEV consortium is now poised to embark on its collaborative journey to transform education through creativity and innovation.

EGIDEV aims to enhance entrepreneurship education for VET students while empowering VET organizations and educators to become agents of digital transformation across the EU. By gamifying various stages of business development, the project seeks to facilitate the teaching and learning of entrepreneurship principles. Its goal is to provide the VET community with an engaging and educational tool that deepens understanding of digital entrepreneurship and its challenges through a “learning by playing” approach.

To learn more about the project, visit the website here.