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Author: Veronica Charalambous

CARDET Engages Key Stakeholders in Advancing Youth Leadership and Sustainability through the UxGE Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET recently conducted a series of stakeholder meetings as part of the UxGE – United for a Green Europe project, with representatives from the Municipality of South Nicosia – Idaliou, the Cyprus Youth Council, and the 71st Scout System.

Held online over the past few months, these separated meetings aimed to introduce the UxGE project and explore opportunities for collaboration with organisations that share a commitment to youth empowerment and sustainability. Participants were also introduced to the European Youth Together funding programme under Erasmus+, which supports initiatives fostering cooperation and innovation among young people across Europe.

During the discussions, CARDET presented the project’s aims, activities, and results, highlighting how UxGE seeks to equip young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead sustainably in the context of the European Green Pact.

As Europe faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the UxGE project aspires to nurture a new generation of leaders capable of driving change within their communities. The project focuses on leadership development, critical thinking, sustainability, and environmental awareness—laying the groundwork for both personal and professional growth among young people.

Project Objectives:

  • To enhance leadership abilities with an emphasis on critical analysis and decision-making.
  • To promote a deep understanding of sustainability principles and their application in diverse contexts.
  • To encourage active participation in societal and environmental issues, fostering responsibility and community engagement.

Through these stakeholder meetings, CARDET continues to strengthen its collaborations with key youth and community organisations, ensuring that the UxGE project contributes meaningfully to building a greener, more sustainable future for all.

Learn more about the project: https://uxge.aiij.org/

DataGame Project Concludes with Final TPM and Closing Conference in Athens

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

In October, the DataGame project marked a major milestone with its final Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) and closing conference in Athens, Greece, where partners celebrated the successful completion of two years of collaboration dedicated to empowering adult educators in data privacy and safety.

Hosted by CARDET, the meeting served both as a reflection and a quality checkpoint. Partners conducted an in-depth review of the DataGame E-Learning Platform, ensuring that every learning module, quiz, and gamified feature met the highest educational and technical standards. From verifying content accuracy and user experience to refining visual appeal and interactivity, the team’s focus remained clear: to deliver a platform that transforms GDPR learning into an engaging, accessible, and practical experience for adult educators across Europe.

Beyond reviewing final deliverables, discussions centred on sustainability and long-term impact. Partners explored ways to keep the DataGame spirit alive through integration into national training programmes, promotion via EPALE and digital education networks, and the continued use of the E-Learning Platform as a free Open Educational Resource (OER).

The closing conference also brought together educators, trainers, and stakeholders to test the platform live and reflect on how gamification can make complex topics such as data protection more approachable and enjoyable.

The “DataGame” project aims to enhance GDPR compliance, data privacy, and security within the European adult education sector, with a particular focus on informal learning providers and freelance educators. Over its two-year journey, the project has addressed the challenges arising from the shift to online learning and the varying levels of compliance across institutions. Targeting adult educators, managerial staff, programme planners, and policy decision-makers, the project seeks to foster a deeper understanding and implementation of data protection principles through gamification. Its long-term vision is to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of project outputs for at least three years post-completion.

While the project formally concludes, its mission continues — to strengthen digital responsibility, inspire innovation in adult learning, and help educators everywhere play, learn, and protect.

Learn more about the DataGame project here: datagame.cardetprojects.com

TINKER Project Partners Gather in Athens for Their Second Meeting

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 23–24 October 2025, the partners of the TINKER project met in Athens, Greece, for their second face-to-face meeting, marking the halfway point of the initiative. Dedicated to promoting authentic and gender-inclusive informatics education for upper primary and lower secondary schools across Europe, the meeting highlighted the progress made so far, as well as the exciting steps ahead.

During the meeting, partners discussed the implementation of the teacher training programme. From September until the end of November, 50 teachers in each partner country are being trained on the TINKER course. Following this phase, the trained teachers will apply the newly developed materials with their students throughout the school year, piloting innovative approaches in real classroom environments.

Another key point of discussion was the upcoming release of the TINKER eLearning platform and MOOCs. These will be hosted on the European Schoolnet Academy (EUN), offering teachers across Europe access to high-quality training opportunities and fostering collaboration among schools.

The meeting also provided space for partners to reflect on the next steps of the project, including activities on sustainability, policy action plans, and dissemination, ensuring that the project’s impact will extend beyond its lifetime.

For more information visit the project’s website.

Fostering Inclusion Through Mobility: PRIME Workshop at Agros KEPLI

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

As part of the Erasmus Days 2025 celebrations, a workshop dedicated to inclusive mobility took place at Agros KEPLI, engaging 25 participants in an interactive session under the PRIME – PRomoting Inclusive Mobility Experiences project.

The workshop introduced participants to the project’s objectives and resources through a non-formal learning approach, encouraging active participation and reflection. Attendees explored the OER2 educational tool developed by the project, focusing on People with Intellectual Disabilities (PWID) travelling abroad. Through group discussions and creative brainstorming, participants exchanged ideas on how to design and implement more inclusive mobility experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The session highlighted the importance of accessibility, awareness, and collaboration in ensuring that international learning and exchange opportunities are open to all.

At its core, the PRIME project aims to make Erasmus+ programs more accessible and inclusive by enhancing the skills of professionals working in the fields of Vocational Education and Training (VET), Adult Education (ADU), and the Youth sector. By developing innovative tools and resources, PRIME supports organizations in managing high-quality, inclusive mobility projects that empower people with intellectual disabilities to engage in international experiences.

This workshop formed part of a broader commitment to celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and strengthen the spirit of European cooperation through the Erasmus+ framework.

More info about the project can be found here.

CARDET Receives Erasmus+ Innovative Teaching Award 2025 for e-Protect Project

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On October 18th, in Paphos, during the National Erasmus+ Award Ceremony, organized by IDEP, and held as part of the annual Erasmus Days celebration, CARDET’s and Research and Innovation Foundation’s (RIF) project “e-Protect” received the prestigious Innovative Teaching Award by the European Commission.

e-Protect was designed to empower older adults in the digital world, equipping them with the confidence and skills to navigate the internet safely and protect their personal data. Through our digital platform and tailored training materials, more than 20,000 people have already benefited from the project.

This award recognises the transformative impact of e-Protect in demonstrating that technology can be accessible and understandable for all, particularly for older generations. The award was received on behalf of CARDET by Michaela Protopapa, CARDET’s Education and Digital Learning Team Leader.

In a short video, Michaela Protopapa and Andreas Georgiou, Chief Operating Officer of CARDET, share how e-Protect helped promote inclusion and digital empowerment among senior citizens.

The winners will share their best practices at the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 Ceremony, which will take place on 8–9 December 2025 in Brussels and online. Their work will also be showcased on the award’s website, Erasmus+ social media channels, the European Education Area portal, and the European School Education platform.

Learn more about the project here!

Youth Well Project: Youth Professionals Unite in Barcelona to Strengthen Youth Collaboration Across Europe

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

Youth professionals from across Europe gathered in Barcelona, Spain, from 13 to 17 October 2025, for the Mobility of Youth Professionals for the Design of Joint Projects, a collaborative event hosted by OBREAL.

The mobility brought together dynamic youth workers, trainers, and project leaders to co-create innovative initiatives, exchange expertise, and enhance the sustainability of Youth-Well actions. Through interactive sessions and joint project design, participants explored new strategies to empower young people and foster meaningful, long-term partnerships across borders.

Supported by partner organisations and experienced youth trainers, the mobility provided participants with practical tools to translate the knowledge and skills gained in previous trainings into tangible, high-impact projects. At the conclusion of the programme, participants received Youthpass certificates, recognising their dedication to quality youth work, continuous learning, and civic engagement.

The Youth-Well project embodies a growing movement to strengthen the professional community of youth workers across Europe, building a resilient network dedicated to creating lasting opportunities and driving positive change for young people. Addressing the complex challenges at the intersection of youth, mental health, democracy, and resilience, Youth-Well seeks to empower young people across participating EU Member States. The project encourages them to take ownership of their wellbeing, their engagement in democratic life, and their role in shaping a more inclusive future.

Through its activities, Youth-Well supports young people in developing their own initiatives and projects that champion both mental health and active citizenship, fostering a generation of confident, connected, and civically engaged Europeans.

Together, we are shaping a stronger, more connected future for Europe’s youth.

Learn more about the project here.

Promoting Digital Transformation in VET From Tunisia to Europe: University of Nicosia and CARDET Showcase DISCOVER Project Results

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 17 October 2025, CARDET and the University of Nicosia jointly organised a dissemination workshop (multiplier event) to promote the DISCOVER project, its activities, and its results. The event brought together Vocational Education and Training (VET) professionals, trainers, educators, and students, offering an opportunity to explore innovative tools and insights developed throughout the project.

Participants included staff from the Distance Learning Unit and the Faculty Training and Development Unit of the University of Nicosia, as well as university students and other VET stakeholders.

During the workshop, the organisers presented the aims and objectives of the DISCOVER project, outlining its key activities and sharing data on participant engagement and profiles collected during its lifecycle. A special focus was placed on the project’s main results, including:

  • the Digital Learning Strategy Toolkit,
  • the Training Curricula for VET Providers and Trainers,
  • the Master Trainers Handbook, and
  • the DISCOVER e-training platform.

Although the DISCOVER project has been primarily implemented in Tunisia, where it supports the digital transformation of the Tunisian VET sector, the educational resources developed within the project are designed to have a broader impact. These tools and materials can benefit VET professionals worldwide who are seeking to advance the digital transformation of their institutions or teaching practices.

The event concluded with a discussion on the potential for wider use of the project’s outputs, encouraging ongoing collaboration and exchange of best practices in digital education.

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

Article at Politis for the 20 years of CARDET

CARDET: 20 Χρόνια Αφιερωμένα στην Εκπαιδευτική Πρόοδο και την Καινοτομία

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in 20 years, Media Highlights.

Το Ερευνητικό Κέντρο CARDET (Center for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology) γιορτάζει 20 χρόνια επιτυχημένης πορείας, με δράσεις και καινοτομίες που αφήνουν θετικό αποτύπωμα στην κοινωνία. Από την ίδρυσή του το 2004, καθιερώθηκε ως ένα από τα κορυφαία ανεξάρτητα, μη-κερδοσκοπικά, ερευνητικά και αναπτυξιακά κέντρα στην Κύπρο και την Ευρώπη. Το όραμά του παραμένει αναλλοίωτο: να ενισχύει την κοινωνία μέσα από την εκπαίδευση, την καινοτομία και τη δια βίου μάθηση.

Ένα Όραμα με Διεθνή Ακτινοβολία

Το CARDET ιδρύθηκε με την πεποίθηση ότι η εκπαίδευση είναι ο σημαντικότερος καταλύτης για την αλλαγή. Με βασικές αξίες την ακεραιότητα και τη διαφάνεια, έχει αναπτύξει στρατηγικές συνεργασίες με κορυφαίους παγκόσμιους οργανισμούς, όπως η Microsoft, η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή, η UNICEF και το Yale School of Public Health. Μέσω αυτών των συνεργασιών, το CARDET έχει συμμετάσχει σε έργα σε περισσότερες από 40 χώρες, επηρεάζοντας θετικά τις ζωές πάνω από τριών εκατομμυρίων ανθρώπων παγκοσμίως.

Πολυδιάστατη Δράση και Κοινωνικός Αντίκτυπος

Η δράση του CARDET εκτείνεται σε ποικίλους τομείς, όπως η εκπαίδευση, η κοινωνική ένταξη, η ψηφιακή μάθηση, η προώθηση της ευημερίας, η ενδυνάμωση της ψυχικής υγείας, η επιχειρηματικότητα και η βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη.

Το CARDET υλοποιεί καινοτόμα προγράμματα που ανταποκρίνονται σε σύγχρονες κοινωνικές προκλήσεις. Ενδεικτικά, σε συνεργασία με το Υπουργείο Υγείας και την UNICEF, υλοποιεί δράσεις ευαισθητοποίησης για θέματα ψυχικής υγείας, προώθησης της επιχειρηματικότητας και της βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης, καθώς και ενδυνάμωσης των δικαιωμάτων των νέων, των ηλικιωμένων και των ατόμων με μεταναστευτικό υπόβαθρο.

Παράλληλα, διαπρέπει στον τομέα της εκπαιδευτικής τεχνολογίας, αξιοποιώντας σύγχρονα εργαλεία όπως η ρομποτική, η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη και η εικονική πραγματικότητα, με στόχο να εφοδιάσει τους εκπαιδευτικούς με τις απαραίτητες δεξιότητες. Επιπλέον, μέσα από εξειδικευμένα προγράμματα του, το CARDET, συμβάλλει ουσιαστικά στην κοινωνική ένταξη μεταναστών και προσφύγων, παρέχοντάς τους τα απαραίτητα εφόδια για την ομαλή ενσωμάτωσή τους.

Με περισσότερα από 400 έργα σε διάφορες χώρες, το CARDET έχει δημιουργήσει ένα ισχυρό διεθνές δίκτυο συνεργασιών που ενισχύει την αποστολή του, προσαρμόζοντας διαρκώς τα εκπαιδευτικά του εργαλεία στις εξελισσόμενες ανάγκες της κοινωνίας.

Ματιά προς το Μέλλον και Νέες Πρωτοβουλίες

Η ομάδα του CARDET συνεχίζει με τον ίδιο ζήλο και αφοσίωση στο όραμα για έναν δίκαιο και βιώσιμο κόσμο. Οι προτεραιότητες για τα επόμενα χρόνια περιλαμβάνουν την περαιτέρω ενίσχυση των υφιστάμενων τομέων δράσης, την επέκταση σε νέες πρωτοβουλίες και την ανάπτυξη νέων συνεργασιών.

Μια χαρακτηριστική πρωτοβουλία που αναδείχθηκε από αυτή την εμπειρία είναι η Learning Edge. Ως φυσική εξέλιξη της 20ετούς εμπειρίας του CARDET, η Learning Edge αποτελεί τον στρατηγικό συνεργάτη για τον ψηφιακό μετασχηματισμό και την ανάπτυξη του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στον εταιρικό κόσμο. Προσφέρει δομημένες λύσεις και εργαλεία Τεχνητής Νοημοσύνης για την αντιμετώπιση των σύγχρονων προκλήσεων.

Η δέσμευση του CARDET προς την κοινωνία και την εκπαιδευτική πρόοδο παραμένει πιο ισχυρή από ποτέ.

Δημοσιεύτηκε στο Sigma Live

Report Reveals Concerning Findings Regarding Youth Mental Health in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

The Ministry of Health is committed to treating youth mental well-being in Cyprus as a national priority.

A new national report from the Ministry of Health and UNICEF reveals that stress and anxiety are widespread among young people in Cyprus, yet a significant number are not seeking the help they need. The study, coordinated and run by CARDET with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus and the Cyprus Youth Council, amplifies the voices of youth alongside those of parents, educators, and mental health professionals, pointing to an urgent need for more youth-friendly, accessible, and stigma-free services.

The Reality of Youth Mental Health

Key findings from the report reveal:

  • High Anxiety: 86% of youth report high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while 75% feel constant pressure and stress.
  • The Help-Seeking Gap: Although 60% of young people felt they needed to visit a mental health professional, fewer than half (43%) actually did so. The reasons cited include stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access.
  • Early Onset: The majority of mental health disorders (75%) appear before the age of 25, underscoring the urgency of early support.
  • Rising School Referrals: Referrals to psychologists in schools increased significantly, with more than 7,700 students referred in 2020–2021.

Major Barriers to Support

The study identified four key barriers to accessing mental health care:

  • Stigma and prejudice.
  • Lack of youth-friendly, welcoming spaces.
  • Low awareness of services.
  • Unequal access, especially in rural areas.

One participant summarized the issue: “We don’t always know where to go for help. And even when services exist, they don’t always feel like they are for us”.

A Call for Action

The report calls for a shift towards prevention and early intervention, with a strong emphasis on engaging young people in shaping the services they use. These recommendations will inform the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan being developed by the Ministry of Health.

“These findings are a wake-up call”, said Alexandros Tifas, a Mental Health Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Health. “Behind the numbers are young people who deserve compassion, understanding, and access to support when they need it. By turning their voices into action, we can create services that truly respond to their needs and build a society where mental health is a shared priority”.

Stay Engaged

This report complements the ongoing awareness campaign, #OnMyMind #MoreToSay, which encourages open conversations and practical action for the well-being of young people across Cyprus.

Read the full report here!

For further information and support regarding Mental Health, click here!  

About the Project

The project Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus is funded by the European Commission via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. CARDET coordinates the research component with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) and the Cyprus Youth Council (CYC). Project Reference: ECARO/PCA202294/SPD2024252

UxGE Project: Final Evaluation Meeting and Conference of the “United for a Green Europe” Project Held in Kaunas, Lithuania

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Project News.

On 23-26 of September 2025, the Final Evaluation Meeting and Conference of the “United for a Green Europe” project successfully took place in Kaunas, Lithuania, marking the completion of a 24-month Erasmus+ European Youth Together initiative dedicated to empowering young people to take action for a greener, more inclusive, and sustainable Europe. 

The events were hosted by Asociacija Aktyvistai and brought together representatives from all partner organisations: Asociación Iniciativa Internacional Joven and Ayuntamiento de Málaga (Spain), The Rural Hub (Ireland), CARDET (Cyprus), Out of the Box International (Belgium) and Asociacija Aktyvistai (Lithuania).

During the Final Evaluation Meeting, partners reflected on the project’s overall achievements, assessing the extent to which objectives were met and evaluating the outcomes of each Work Package. Discussions centred on successes, challenges, and lessons learned throughout the project’s implementation, setting the stage for future collaboration within European youth and sustainability initiatives.

The Final Conference, which also gathered young people, youth workers, and local community members, showcased the project’s main results, including:

  • the multilingual eBook and Guide “United for a Green Europe”;
  • the video “Participatory Proposals for a Greener, More Inclusive and Sustainable Europe”; and
  • the final project video, summarising key achievements and impact across partner countries.

These outputs reflect the collective voice of youth leaders and young Europeans who contributed participatory ideas for advancing the goals of the European Green Deal. The conference also provided a platform for dialogue on sustainability, youth participation, and environmental action, fostering exchange and inspiration for continued cooperation.

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, “United for a Green Europe” ran from December 2023 to November 2025. Over its two-year duration, the project developed educational resources, digital tools, and international learning opportunities to strengthen youth engagement in Europe’s green and social transformation.

The consortium reaffirmed its shared commitment to continue promoting sustainability, active citizenship, and cross-border collaboration for a greener future.

For more information about the project and its results, visit: https://uxge.aiij.org/