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Author: Veronica Charalambous

Digital Harmony Partners Advance to Development Phase During TPM2 in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Digital Harmony consortium convened its second Transnational Partners Meeting (TPM2) on 18 November 2025 at CARDET’s offices in Nicosia, Cyprus. Partners from across Europe met to review the project’s progress, coordinate upcoming tasks, and transition collectively into the material development phase.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from CARDET and an overview of the day’s programme presented jointly with IFESCOOP. Subsequent sessions focused on project management and coordination led by Reintegra, followed by CARDET’s update on quality assurance and risk assessment procedures.

One of the central discussions of the day centred on Work Package 3, where CARDET presented the framework for developing the project’s educational materials. This session built on recent comparative findings from eight countries, which underscored growing concerns around digital well-being—including excessive screen time, cyberbullying, and emotional strain among young learners—alongside persistent digital inequalities affecting both youth and older adults. These insights will now guide the creation of structured, evidence-based modules designed to strengthen intergenerational learning, support seniors’ digital confidence, and enhance communication and empathy among younger generations.

In the afternoon, partners examined forthcoming activities across additional work packages. ECSH outlined the approach for capacity-building workshops and the impact assessment framework under WP4, while Rafina presented plans for intergenerational after-school projects under WP5, IFESCOOP led the session on dissemination and the promotional strategy within WP6, followed by contributions from Quart de Poblet on sustainability planning and policy-oriented multiplier events. Reintegra provided updates concerning community- and school-based multiplier activities scheduled for the next implementation period.

The meeting concluded with collective planning of future milestones and confirmation of upcoming meeting dates, ensuring coordinated progress across all partner organisations.

Through its continued collaborative approach, Digital Harmony is progressing steadily toward producing impactful, scalable resources that promote digital well-being, resilience, and meaningful intergenerational engagement across Europe.

DISCOVER Newsletter – 4th Edition: Completing Two Years of Digital Transformation in VET

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The DISCOVER project has successfully concluded a two-year cycle of activities aimed at upgrading Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Tunisia, drawing on the expertise of partners from Greece and Cyprus. Over the course of the project, key educational tools were developed to enhance the skills of VET providers and trainers and support the digital transformation of the sector.

Building the Digital Transformation of VET Providers
February 2025 – November 2025

Highlights:

New Educational Tools & Resources – Now Available:

  • Curricula for VET Providers & Trainers – Two comprehensive 20-hour blended-learning programs designed to meet the needs of modern digital teaching.
  • The Master Trainers’ Handbook – A practical guide for creating a high-quality digital and blended learning environment.
  • The DISCOVER eLearning Platform – Available in English, French, and Arabic, featuring:
    – Digital Toolkit & Ecosystem Mapping
    – Curricula and Handbook
    – E-learning tools and OERs
    – Community of practice forum

Final Conference in Bizerte
The project concluded with a highly successful Final Conference in Bizerte, bringing together 100 participants from VET, education, innovation, and digital transition policy sectors. The atmosphere of cooperation and active participation demonstrated that DISCOVER is not only a project but the beginning of an ongoing dialogue on digital empowerment in the VET community in Tunisia and beyond.

Continuing the Legacy – Resources Are Open to All
All DISCOVER educational tools and the eLearning platform remain freely accessible, supporting continuous skills development in vocational education and digital innovation.

Explore the resources and join the DISCOVER community: https://discoverproject.eu

Teachers Embrace TINKER Methodology for Inclusive Informatics Education

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

50 primary and lower secondary school teachers from 10 schools recently participated in a successful online training programme designed to introduce them to the innovative TINKER methodology. The three-session training focused on promoting authentic learning approaches and gender-inclusive practices within informatics education.

Key Highlights from the Training

The programme saw active participation from educators keen to enhance their teaching methods. Central discussions revolved around:

  • Applying Authentic Learning: Teachers explored practical ways to apply authentic learning principles meaningfully within their specific school contexts, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
  • Gender-Inclusive Strategies: A significant focus was placed on strategies to ensure all students feel included and represented in their learning experiences, fostering an equitable environment in informatics classrooms.

Practical Application and Future Implementation

A core component of the training was a practical workshop where teachers actively developed their own learning scenarios. These scenarios will serve as practical guides for the classroom implementations scheduled to take place over the coming months as the schools integrate the TINKER methodology.

Positive Initial Feedback

Initial feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the programme’s immediate relevance and practical value. Many teachers noted that the training helped them rethink how to design more engaging and inclusive informatics lessons.

Specifically, participants praised:

  • The usefulness of the practical examples provided.
  • The clarity of the TINKER methodology.
  • The relevance of applying the framework in real classroom settings.

The successful completion of this training marks a crucial step in preparing educators to implement the TINKER methodology, ultimately aiming to create more engaging, authentic, and inclusive learning experiences for all students in informatics education.

For more information on the project, visit the official website: https://tinker-project.eu/

DISCOVER Project Marks Two Years of Impact with Comprehensive Digital Learning Resources for Tunisian VET Sector

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The two-year implementation of the DISCOVER project across Cyprus, Greece and Tunisia has concluded with a set of impactful digital tools and capacity-building initiatives designed to accelerate the digital transformation of the Tunisian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. The project focused on equipping VET centres with modern strategies, frameworks and training to help them respond effectively to labour-market demands for digital skills.

Digital Learning Strategy Toolkit

The Digital Learning Strategy Toolkit and Ecosystem Mapping was designed to guide Tunisian VET centres in shaping, developing and delivering effective digital learning strategies. It connects the centres’ needs with a structured framework and maps the roles, responsibilities and dependencies required for successful implementation. The Toolkit includes a digital learning readiness checklist adapted from the EU SEFIE for Work-Based Learning and tailored to the Tunisian context through extensive research activities. To support this work, the consortium conducted three focus groups with 24 participants across three VET centres and distributed self-assessment questionnaires to VET providers, trainers and learners, receiving 73 responses.

Training Curricula for VET Providers and VET Trainers

The training curriculum for VET trainers provides structured guidance on digital teaching methodologies, while the curriculum for VET providers supports institutional digital transformation efforts. Both curricula adopt a blended learning approach, combining self-paced online modules with in-person training. The project complemented these efforts through a two-day online study visit with 28 participants and a three-day physical study visit in Athens with 11 participants. In Tunisia, 15 Master Trainers completed an online Training of Trainers, while 34 VET providers and 41 VET trainers took part in three training cycles delivered across the participating VET centres.

Master Trainers’ Handbook

The Master Trainers’ Handbook was developed as a practical guide for Master Trainers tasked with delivering the curricula to VET professionals. It offers detailed instructions, tools and methodologies to ensure consistent and effective implementation. This component helped consolidate cooperation among eight institutions, establishing partnerships that will continue beyond the project’s lifetime.

eLearning Platform

A dedicated eLearning platform hosts all project resources — the Toolkit, curricula, Handbook and interactive materials — in English, French and Arabic, ensuring wide accessibility across the Tunisian VET ecosystem. The platform has engaged more than 100 registered users, while the DISCOVER Facebook page attracted 436 followers.

Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement

The DISCOVER project placed strong emphasis on visibility and stakeholder outreach.
The Final Conference held in Bizerte on 13 November 2025 brought together 100 stakeholders from across Tunisia. A further 200 stakeholders in Cyprus, Greece and Tunisia were reached through six dissemination workshops. The project also established a solid online presence, with the DISCOVER website registering 31,861 visits in 2024 and 74,660 visits in 2025.

All project resources are available through the eLearning platform: https://e-learning.discoverproject.eu/.

Through its extensive research, targeted training, and multilingual digital tools, the DISCOVER project leaves a lasting legacy for the Tunisian VET sector, strengthening its capacity to design and implement digital learning strategies and to keep pace with the digital skills demanded by today’s labour markets.

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

CARDET Showcases Inclusive Education Tools at ACT INCLUSIVE Final Conference in Brussels

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET took part in the ACT INCLUSIVE project’s Final Conference, “Inclusive education in action”, held on 12 November 2025 in Brussels. The event brought together educators, students, policy officers and organisations from across Europe to explore effective ways of strengthening inclusion in schools through practical tools and collaborative initiatives.

Throughout the conference, participants had the opportunity to engage with the project’s key resources: the Toolbox, the Training & Awareness-Raising Manual, and the Comic Book, all designed to support inclusive communication and foster understanding within school communities. These outputs have been developed to help teachers integrate inclusion-focused activities and discussions into their everyday classroom practice.

The event featured a series of panel discussions showcasing insights from those directly involved in the project’s local workshops. Cyprus was represented in three panel discussions by our CARDET Project Manager, Andri Psilogeni, along with a student and a teacher from Agios Antonios Gymnasium, Limassol. All three highlighted the positive impact of the workshops, emphasising the value of student engagement and the importance of continued efforts to advance inclusion. Their contributions reflected a strong commitment to sustaining the project’s momentum and promoting inclusive education at national and European levels.

The conference programme included presentations from EASPD, COGAMI, and EACEA, as well as exchanges with students who participated in the project’s artwork contest, “What does inclusion mean to you?”. The day concluded with networking opportunities and an exhibition of the project’s materials, allowing participants to further discuss the tools and share ideas for future collaboration.

The ACT INCLUSIVE Final Conference marked a significant milestone in the project’s journey, celebrating achievements while inspiring continued action toward more inclusive and supportive learning environments across Europe.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.easpd.eu/project-detail/act-inclusive-raising-awareness-on-inclusive-education-and-empowering-students-with-disabilities/

DISCOVER Project Marks Successful Completion with Final Conference in Tunisia

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The DISCOVER Project celebrated its successful completion with a well-attended Final Conference on 13 November 2025 at the Bizerte Resort Hotel in Tunisia. Hosted by the Centre de Formation et d’Apprentissage de Bizerte – ATFP, the event gathered around 100 participants, including high-level institutional representatives, VET providers, trainers, project partners, and stakeholders from across Tunisia and Europe.

Among the distinguished guests were the Governor of Bizerte and the Director General of ATFP, whose presence underscored the national importance of strengthening digital learning capacities within Tunisia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

Building the Foundations for Digital Transformation in VET

The DISCOVER Project, co-funded by the European Union, was launched in response to the growing need for digital skills in Tunisia, where nearly half of available jobs require adequate digital literacy. The project has focused on equipping VET centres, trainers, and learners with the tools and competencies necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital labour market.

Through a multi-stakeholder approach, the project has supported Tunisian VET institutions in designing and implementing their own digital learning strategies. This included the development of an ecosystem mapping toolkit, updated training curricula, targeted capacity-building programmes, and mobility activities that strengthened cooperation between Tunisian and European partners.

Conference Highlights

The conference opened with introductory remarks and an overview of the programme, followed by a series of insightful presentations addressing the digitalisation priorities of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MEFP) and the strategic vision of ATFP.

Key sessions included:

  • Overview of the DISCOVER Project, introducing the consortium, objectives, and target groups.
  • Presentation of Results (Work Packages 2–3 and 5–6), showcasing the progress achieved in digital strategy development, capacity building, and pilot implementation.
  • Demonstration of the DISCOVER E-Training Platform, presenting its structure, features, and access modalities.
  • Case Study from CFA Bizerte, highlighting the practical implementation, monitoring, and feedback processes.
  • Impact Assessment, outlining improvements in learners’ employability, trainers’ pedagogical innovation, and the overall modernisation of participating centres.

The programme concluded with a dynamic panel discussion on International Cooperation: Opportunities and Benefits, featuring representatives from MEFP, ATFP, Erasmus+ Tunisia, and ARSII.

A Collaborative Effort Towards a Digital Future

The event wrapped up with closing remarks and acknowledgements, followed by a networking lunch offered by the organisers. Participants welcomed the opportunity to exchange experiences and explore future avenues of collaboration.

The Final Conference reaffirmed the project’s contribution to enhancing the digital readiness of Tunisia’s VET system and strengthening its alignment with labour market needs. Through DISCOVER, VET providers, trainers, and learners have gained valuable tools and insights that will continue to support the sector’s digital transition long after the project’s end.

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

Youth Well Project Concludes, Empowering European Youth to “Break the Silence” on Mental Health

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The EU-funded Youth-Well project successfully wrapped up to foster youth empowerment, mental health, and democratic participation with an engaging final event, the “Podcast – Breaking the Silence: Speaking Openly about Youth Mental Health”, held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the WindMill Workspace in Nicosia.

The event, which fostered dialogue and inspiration, marked the official end of the Youth Well project, which addressed challenges at the intersection of European youth, mental health, democracy, and resilience.

A Project Built on Empowerment and Action

A core goal of the Youth Well initiative was to connect young people across participating Member States so they could take ownership of their future, their mental health, and their participation in democracy. The project actively helped young people set up their own initiatives and projects that equally advocate for mental health and active citizenship.

Throughout its duration, the Youth Well project delivered significant resources and activities, including:

  • Advocacy activities across Europe specifically targeting European youth.
  • Training manuals for youth workers focused on mental health and democracy.
  • An e-learning platform designed to build essential leadership skills.
  • International conferences for emerging youth advocates.

Final Event Fosters Open Dialogue

The podcast, attended by a diverse audience of young people, advocates, and policymakers, delivered on its promise that “The change begins when we speak openly”. The panel facilitated a high-level discussion on how to destigmatise mental health, which the organisers emphatically declared “is not a taboo, but everyone’s business!”

The speakers who led the insightful conversation included:

  • Ms. Poly Grigora, Expert by Experience & Mental Health Empowerment Advocate (Host).
  • Ms. Eleni Antoniou, Blogger, Podcaster, and Journalist (Co-Host).
  • Mr. Nicos Kettirou, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary Health Committee.
  • Ms. Maria Diplarou, Social and Developmental Psychologist.

The final event highlighted the Youth Well project’s contribution in creating a space for youth to engage in democratic processes and promote their own mental well-being.

Learn more about the project here: https://youthwell.eu/

Final Event of the INNOVATE Project Highlights Practical Approaches to Innovation Management

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The final event of the INNOVATE Project took place on 12th of November at the University of Cyprus (UCY) with the collaboration of the University’s Center of Entrepreneurship, bringing together students, educators, and professionals for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to innovation and creativity in practice.

Hosted under the theme “Innovation by Design: Managing Ideas for Impact through the Innovation Management System”, the event showcased how structured innovation processes can transform ideas into tangible outcomes. Participants had the opportunity to explore the project’s Innovation Management System (IMS), a practical framework designed to support individuals and organizations in managing ideas strategically for meaningful impact.

The session featured an engaging presentation by Konstantinos Souroullas, PMP®, EU Project Manager III & QMS, who shared insights from his extensive experience in adult education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through interactive discussions and creative exercises, attendees were introduced to innovative tools and gamified learning methods developed as part of the European INNOVATE initiative.

The INNOVATE Project, co-funded by the European Union, aims to equip young professionals and university students with practical innovation management competencies, aligned with the international standard ISO 56000. The project also offers free access to online training modules and resources, supporting learners in developing skills that enhance their employability and readiness for the modern labor market.

Participants left the event with valuable knowledge on how to apply innovation management principles in real-world contexts, and with inspiration to continue fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in their academic and professional journeys.

Learn more about the project and its achievements here.

Civic Champions Project – Second Newsletter Now Available

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

The Civic Champions Project continues to strengthen and protect civil society organisations (CSOs) across Europe. The second newsletter highlights recent activities, including national Civic Champions Days, the Mid-Term Transnational Project Meeting in Palermo, and the International Consultation Meeting in Vienna, where partners discussed emerging threats to civic space and introduced innovative tools like the Early Warning Mechanism to monitor attacks and raise public awareness.

This issue also features the release of a new Comparative Report analyzing civic space in Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, alongside a brochure summarizing key trends and challenges for CSOs and human rights defenders. Upcoming activities include national policy briefings, a documentary showcasing positive CSO stories, and a training programme aimed at enhancing advocacy, collaboration, and evidence-based responses to civic space risks.

Learn more about the Civic Champions Forum here!