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Author: Veronica Charalambous

RE.MA.C. Concludes School Implementation Phase to Enhance Greek Language Learning for Migrant Students

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The REinventing MAinstream Classrooms (RE.MA.C.) Project has successfully closed its school implementation phase in Fall 2024, focusing on enhancing Greek language acquisition for migrant students through digital innovation. CARDET partnered with twelve teachers of Greek as a second language to bring cutting-edge tools into classrooms, where both migrant and native students benefited from engaging, tech-driven resources.

Teachers utilised digital tools from the RE.MA.C. Repository, including the AI-driven ROBOteacher, Reading Progress, MILAGE+, and Forum. Each tool was chosen to address diverse language needs effectively, fostering interactive learning tailored to multilingual classrooms. Teachers documented their experiences and shared insights through reflective diaries and interviews with CARDET’s team, enabling a thorough evaluation and refinement process based on real classroom interactions and student feedback.

The phase concluded with an event on November 28, 2024, at Frederick University in Limassol, where teachers showcased their successes and shared best practices in technology-enhanced language learning for migrant students. This event highlighted RE.MA.C.’s milestones, celebrating its impact on creating more inclusive and accessible Greek language education.

RE.MA.C. combines a blended learning model with digital tools to promote intercultural language learning, fostering a unified classroom environment where migrant and native students, alongside teachers, collaborate and learn from one another. The project’s mission—to develop learning materials that align with thematic textbook topics—successfully encourages an inclusive school culture, one that values mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse backgrounds.

For more information on the REMAC Project and its objectives, visit the website here.

LEADING 2030 Pilots Corporate MOOCs to Foster Sustainable Business Practices

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

From September to November 2024, the LEADING 2030 partnership successfully piloted the LEADING 2030 Corporate MOOCs, a series of thematic, interactive e-learning courses. Hosted on the LEADING 2030 WebHub, these MOOCs are closely aligned with the LEADING 2030 Practice Principles Framework, empowering leaders and organizations with actionable knowledge to effectively implement sustainable practices.

This launch comes at a pivotal moment, as progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains steady but insufficient. With businesses increasingly recognized as key drivers of sustainability, the need for transformative action is more pressing than ever. The MOOCs address this gap, equipping professionals with essential tools to accelerate corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives.

The success of the pilot highlights the transformative potential of digital education in driving sustainable practices for businesses and society alike. Professionals interested in advancing their knowledge and impact on the SDGs can access the LEADING 2030 Corporate MOOCs via the LEADING 2030 WebHub, embarking on a journey toward meaningful and lasting change.

As part of its broader objectives, the LEADING 2030 Project aims to embed a culture of sustainability within organizations, strengthen ownership of the SDGs, and foster collaboration at local, regional, and European levels. By offering innovative educational resources in accessible digital formats, the initiative equips vocational education and training (VET) professionals, business consultants, and leaders across sectors with practical tools, including a bespoke, hands-on portfolio to mainstream sustainability into corporate practices. This collaborative approach enhances the reach and effectiveness of the MOOCs, positioning LEADING 2030 as a driving force for sustainable development in a post-pandemic world.

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

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.