The FIRST Network - International Support Network

The FIRST Network - International Support Network (18)

The FIRST Network - International Support Network

The FIRST Network  is an international network of civil society organizations operating in the area of adult liberal education. FIRST Network is the answer to the needs to access to specialists and experts in the international cooperation field to receive guidelines on how to solve specific problems, address challenges.

All interested in European networking, cooperation and networking - please feel invited to the European Networking Conference valorising the key outcomes of the “EUropean NETworking as a method for further training and exchange of ideas in the lifelong learning sector” [EU NET] project!

The Conference will take place 17th of April 2024 in the Citizenship Centre in Kraków, Poland (Centrum Obywatelskim in Kraków, Reymonta 20 Str., the building of the Henryk Reyman City Stadium). The conference starts at 10.00 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

The conferrence will be accompanied by the European Networking Fairs dedicated to the organisations interested in European level cooperation and networking.

Directly after the Conference, the Annual Meeting of the FIRST Network members begins.

The aim of the Conference is to share knowledge and tools developed during the 28-months long cooperation of five Civil Society Organisations from five European countries: Poland, Italy, Hungary, Iceland and Portugal - as well as to create a space for networking and European cooperation building.

We invite to the conference the representatives of Civil Society Organisations (i.e. associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc.)/institutions/enterprises/informal groups interested in European cooperation and lifelong learning. We invite board members, workers, co-workers, owners, managers, volunteers and members.

During the Conference, the following topics will be presented and discussed:
- The interactive Toolkit on European project management dedicated to the Civil Society Organisations, in two parts: Part 1: "Project planning and designing" and Part 2: "Managing, monitoring and evaluating the project".
- Recommendations for developing European cooperation of the Civil Society Organizations active in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
- Ecological and social aspects of Inclusion and Diversity in adult education.
- Digital transformation for better distance and online teaching and learning for adults.
- Environmental awareness of the learners and educators & supporting active democratic participation of the adult Europeans.

The interested will be offered the opportunity to present their organisations/institutions/enterprises/informal groups during the European Networking Fairs (we offer a table and space to display information/promotion materials about the activities of the represented organisations. What is more, we will invite you to prepare 1-page presentation of your organisation summarising its expertise and areas of interest for the European cooperation).

The Fairs are being organised by the FIRST Network, an international network of civil society organizations operating in the area of adult liberal education (lifelong learning). The Mission of the FIRST Network is strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations and entities active in the adult education sector to operate in the international arena, enhancing innovativeness and the ability to adapt to changes in the modern world. It includes organisations from Poland, Italy, HUngary, Portugal, Iceland, Denmark, Austria and Spain. 

Targi organizowane są przez FIRST Network, międzynarodowa sieć organizacji społeczeństwa obywatelskiego sektora uczenia się przez całe życie powołana w 2020 r. Celem sieci jest wspieranie zdolności tych organizacji do pracy na arenie międzynarodowej oraz działanie na rzecz podnoszenia poziomu innowacyjności działań i zdolności dostosowywania się do zmian zachodzących we współczesnym świecie. FIRST Network skupia organizacje z Polski, Włoch, Węgier, Portugalii, Islandii, Danii, Austrii i Hiszpanii. Perhaps it is during the EU NET conference that you will make new international contacts for the organisation/institution/group you represent?

The European Networking Conference programme is available here.

The FIRST Network Annual Meeting programme is available here.

Participation in the Conference is free of charge. The participants need to cover the costs of travel and accomodation in Kraków**.

In order to register to the Conference, please fill in the registration form available here:  Join the Conference!
The registration is opened by 15th of April 2024, by 23:59 CET.

If you would like to participate, but unable to come to Kraków - feel invited to use the opportunity to participate in the 1st part of the conference online! To register tthe online participation please choose this option in the application form here:  Join the Conference!

** There is the possibility to have the costs partly reimbursed. Please contact the organisers to learn more: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Conference is being realized in the frames of the “EUropean NETworking as a method for further training
and exchange of ideas in the lifelong learning sector” [EU NET] project, co-financed by the European Union in
the frames of the Erasmus+ Programme (2021-2027)

Feel invited to the virtual exchange of experiences and networking event organised by the FIRST Network! The event is expected to gather participants from Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal and more. Participants from any European country are welcomed.

Time and place: Thursday, December 14th, 10.30 - 12.00 CET; Zoom

The aims of the event are: 
- Exchange of experiences and good practices concerning useful, valuable tools, methods and solutions for organizing and conducting motivating/engaging/attractive educational experience for the young adults, 18+.
- Networking and possible matchmaking for common projects in the field.

Addressees: Representatives of organisations/institutions/enterprises/informal groups related to education and employment, interested in European cooperation in the field of education/lifelong learning & youth work.

The programme: At the meeting the FIRST Network Members and guest speakers would share experiences - and give an opportunity to discuss the following topics:
- The DigiComPass Training course, based on the DigComp Framework of the European Commission, and the implementation of Flipped Learning 3.0 framework as the training approach.
- The experience in interventions against early school leaving.
- Europass digital identity as a key to personal success on the European labour and education market.
- The European youth projects participant perspective - do's and dont's for the lifelong learning organisers and providers.
- Student volunteering in digital competency development for older people.

The detailed programme of the meeting is available HERE.

Registration: The registration to the event will be opened by December 13th, 23:59 CET. The registration form is available HERE.

Feel invited to use the Toolkit on European project managing, monitoring & evaluating!

The aim of this Toolkit is to support the beginners in the field of European project management and all the persons/organisations willing to cooperate and network on the European level.

This Toolkit is primarily dedicated to the members, workers, co-workers, volunteers, and the adult learners of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). We believe it may be also useful for any public and/or
private organisation; in general - a wide range of education – related organisations, institutions, and decision makers.

The Toolkit addresses the need for more practical examples, more case studies, material for further self-directed learning in the field of European projects initiation, designing, developing and realising.
It is designed as a practical and reusable resource for the practitioners in the field of European project management.

The Toolkit is divided into two parts:
1. Part 1, related to project planning and designing. The aim of the first part of the Toolkit is to guide you from a project idea to a successful proposal - is available HERE.
2. Part 2, related to project coordinating, monitoring and evaluating, is aimed to support the successful implementation of the European projects that have been co-funded by the European Union - is now available in English. The translations into Polish, Italian, Icelandic and Portuguesw will be published soon. 

The key chapters of the Toolkit 2, "Managing, monitoring and evaluating the project" answer the following questions:

1) Technical management: How to execute the project as promissed in the project application?

2) Team management - how to manage communication, relations, motivation, potential conflicts solving?

3) How to assure the right project monitoring - from the perspectives of the project manager?

4) How to assure the right project evaluation: process (time-budget-quality) and impact evaluation?

5) What are some useful project management supporting tools?


The material is available in a PDF version to download and an on-line ineteractive version, in 6 languages: English - Italian - Hungarian - Portuguese - Polish

The material is also available in an on-line, ineteractive version, in 6 languages: English - Italian - Hungarian - Portuguese - Icelandic - Polish

 

The Toolkit was developed by the FIRST NETWORK members:
Foundation of Alternative Educational Initiatives (PL), COOSS Marche Onlus scpa (IT), Folk High School Association Surrounding Budapest (HU), Rightchallenge (PT), Húsavík Academic Center (HAC) In the frames of the EU NET project, co-financed by the European Union.

Feel invited to use the Toolkit on European project planning & designing!

The aim of this Toolkit is to support the beginners in the field of European project management and all the persons/organisations willing to cooperate and network on the European level.

This Toolkit is primarily dedicated to the members, workers, co-workers, volunteers, and the adult learners of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). We believe it may be also useful for any public and/or
private organisation; in general - a wide range of education – related organisations, institutions, and decision makers.

The Toolkit addresses the need for more practical examples, more case studies, material for further self-directed learning in the field of European projects initiation, designing, developing and realising.
It is designed as a practical and reusable resource for the practitioners in the field of European project management.

The Toolkit is divided into two parts:
1. Part 1, related to project planning and designing. The aim of the first part of the Toolkit is to guide you from a project idea to a successful proposal - already available.
2. Part 2, related to project coordinating, monitoring and evaluating, is aimed to support the successful implementation of the European projects that have been co-funded by the European Union - will be made available early autumn 2023.

The key chapters of the Toolkit, "Project planning and designing" answer the following questions:

1) How to define the project idea?

2) How to find and chose the proper EU grant programme to realise my project idea?

3) How to find and choose the project partners?

4) What is the project structure/framework?

5) What are the competences needed to realise/coordinate/manage European projects?


The material is available in a PDF version to download, in 6 languages: English - Italian - Hungarian - Portuguese - Polish

The material is also available in an on-line, ineteractive version, in 6 languages: English - Italian - Hungarian - Portuguese - Icelandic - Polish

 

The Toolkit was developed by the FIRST NETWORK members:
Foundation of Alternative Educational Initiatives (PL), COOSS Marche Onlus scpa (IT), Folk High School Association Surrounding Budapest (HU), Rightchallenge (PT), Húsavík Academic Center (HAC) In the frames of the EU NET project, co-financed by the European Union.

 

At the end of 2022 The FIRST Network counts 13 member organisations from 8 countries of the European Union: Poland, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Iceland and Spain.

The FIRST Network Members are:
Foundation of Alternative Educational Initiatives (PL), https://fundacjaaie.eu
COOSS Marche Onlus scpa (IT), https://www.cooss.it
EDUCULT - Institute of Cultural Policy and Cultural Management (AT), https://educult.at
Folk High School Association Surrounding Budapest (HU), http://www.bknsz.hu/
COMMIT (AT), https://www.commit.at
Simbiosofia Consulting and Training (IT), https://simbiosofia.it/
Rightchallenge (PT), https://rightchallenge.org/
Strangers Become Friends (AT), https://www.fremdewerdenfreunde.at/
Carpathian Foundation – Hungary (HU), https://karpatokalapitvany.hu/
The NGO Network for International Project Work (DK), https://www.ngo-netvaerk.dk/
Húsavík Academic Center (HAC) (IS), https://hac.is
European Initiative for education/ Europäische Bildungsinitiative (AT), https://www.advanced-training.net/ebi-eie/
Escuela Oficial de Idiomas Madrid-Villaverde (ES), https://www.eoivillaverde.com/

Two organisations joined the Network in 2022.

In 2022, the FIRST Network realised:

The FIRST Network is opened to new members! If you would like to actively involve the organisation you represent in European cooperation and networking around lifelong learning, please feel invited to join us!

Information how to get involved is available HERE.

The Statute of the FIRST Network.

Based on the results of the 34 months long European exchange and consultations process, the recommendations for the validation and recognition system for the European project managers working in civil society organisations are:

  • Acknowledge that the dimension of mission and purpose is crucial in the 3rd sector.
  • Define clear definitions/understandings of competences, skills and experiences.
  • Build competence validation and recognition systems encompassing theoretical and practical parts of a competence.
  • Allow flexibility that considers the diversity of the civil society.
  • Recognise cultural and social differences.
  • Be sensitive to the qualities of values and attitudes.
  • Ensure validation through transparent procedures.
  • Ensure recognition of formal, non-formal and informal knowledge.
  • Ensure simplicity to understand and measure.
  • Allow accessibility for those already working in the area [of civil society] and also those without experience.
  • Consider the complexity of the individual personality [of the candidates to validate and recognise their competences].
  • Take into account work experience in various areas.
  • Have the recognition and validation system evidence-based to achieve recognised status in the European Union.
  • Include references to the already existing, similar/relevant recognition and validation schemes to avoid “reinventing the wheel".


By making progress in the areas as mentioned above, we will address the most critical and helpful root characteristics of the valuable and practical validation system for the European projects' managers and achieve positive change in many other areas such as:

  • Transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications on the European level.
  • Extending and developing the competences of educators and other personnel who support adult learners.
  • Supporting the setting up of and access to upskilling pathways.
  • Strengthening the European Civil Society Organisations sector.
  • Promoting lifelong learning among the Europeans.

The reccommendations were developed in the frame of the project AER-V "Recommendations for international project managers competences recognition and validation for lifelong learning" co-funded by the Erasmus Plus Programme of the European Union, involving the following FIRST Network members:
Fundacja Alternatywnych Inicjatyw Edukacyjnych (PL), www.fundacjaaie.eu (Leader)
Cooperativa Sociale COOSS MARCHE ONLUS scpa (IT), http://www.cooss.it/it/
Interfolk, Institut for Civilsamfund (DK), www.interfolk.dk
EDUCULT - DENKEN UND HANDELN IN KULTUR UND BILDUNG (AT), www.educult.at
Rightchallenge - Associação (PT), www.rightchallenge.org
and
Future Worlds Centre (CY), www.futureworldscenter.org

More details: HERE

The title: ”EUropean NETworking as a method for further training and exchange of ideas in the lifelong learning sector” [EU NET].

Short description:
The main challenge EU NET addresses is lower than possible level of European networking of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) active in the lifelong learning, adult education sector.

The project Partners identified the reasons of this situation in the two main areas: Firstly -  the lack of proper/affordable legal and formal solutions supporting networking accessible for the non-profit and/or not-for-profit CSOs. Secondly - the need for more practical examples, more case studies, material for further self-education in the field of European level cooperation and networking of the adult learning CSOs.

The overall aim of the EU NET initiative is to support the European level networking of the Civil Society Organisations active in the lifelong learning sector.

This support would be offered in two forms:

  1. Designing, developing and disseminating the Toolkit on European Project Management for the Civil Society Organisations active in the Lifelong Learning Sector. The toolkit is to be an interactive handbook for self-directed learning and upgrading competences in the field. It would be delivered in two parts:
    Part 1: Project planning and designing.
    Part 2: Realising, monitoring & evaluating the project.
  2. Conducting European level research and legal analysis, and designing and developing the Recommendations for European Networking of the Civil Society Organizations active in the Lifelong Learning Sector – proposing new ways of networking available and affordable for non-profit and not-for profit CSOs.

We shall widely invite to test/review these solutions!
(If interested to take part in the testing/reviewing, please contact the EU NET coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We shall inform you directly when the testing begins!)

The EU NET continues and builds on the conclusions from the two preceding projects, initiated and coordinated by FAIE: The “First-time international projects realisers support network”, realized in the period 2018 – 2022 and the “Recommendations for international project managers competences recognition and validation for lifelong learning", realized in the period 2019 – 2022.

EU NET is an element of a long-term strategic plan of the FIRST Network, aiming at delivering sustainable support for international cooperation of the adult learning sector CSOs.

The period of realisation: February 2022 – May 2023.

The project partners:
Fundacja Alternatywnych Inicjatyw Edukacyjnych, PL (Coordinator), www.fundacjaaie.eu
Cooperativa Sociale COOSS MARCHE ONLUS scpa (IT), http://www.cooss.it/it/
Folk High School Association Surrounding Budapest, Hungary, http://www.bknsz.hu/
Rightchallenge - Associação (PT), www.rightchallenge.org
Húsavík Academic Center (IS), www.hac.is

Co-financing: The European Union.

Feel invited to the virtual exchange of experiences and networking event organised by the FIRST Network! The event is expected to gather participants from Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal and more. Participants from any European country are welcomed.

Time and place: Friday, October 14th, 10.00 - 11.30 CET; Zoom

The aims of the event are: 
- Exchange of experiences and good practices concerning working with the youth/young adults.
- Networking and possible matchmaking for common projects dedicated to the youth/youth workers.

Addressees: Representatives of organisations/institutions/enterprises/informal groups related to education, interested in European cooperation in the field of education/lifelong learning & youth work.

The programme: At the first part of the event you would learn some good practices related to working with the youth and young adults - some specific projects examples, good practices - in the field of arts education, eco-community buildng, possibilities of upgrading competences in the EU with EU co-financing.

The second part of the event will take place in 'breakout rooms' - smaller international groups. There you would have the possibility to present your successful projects, exchange experiences, initiate new partnership(s), build your European network or just listen to the discussion if you chose so...

The detailed programme of the meeting is available HERE.

Registration: The registration to the event will be opened by October 13th, 23:59 CET. The participation is limited to 32 persons. While registering - please choose the topic that interests you most while registrating to the event. The registration form is available HERE.

At the end of 2021 The FIRST Network counts 11 member organisations from 7 countries of the European Union: Poland, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Denmark, Portugal and Iceland.

The FIRST Network Members are:
- Foundation of Alternative Educational Initiatives (PL), https://fundacjaaie.eu
- COOSS Marche Onlus scpa (IT), https://www.cooss.it
- EDUCULT - Institute of Cultural Policy and Cultural Management (AT), https://educult.at
- Folk High School Association Surrounding Budapest (HU), http://www.bknsz.hu/
- COMMIT (AT), https://www.commit.at
- Simbiosofia Consulting and Training (IT), https://simbiosofia.it/
- Rightchallenge (PT), https://rightchallenge.org/
- Strangers Become Friends (AT), https://www.fremdewerdenfreunde.at/
- Carpathian Foundation – Hungary (HU), https://karpatokalapitvany.hu/
- The NGO Network for International Project Work (DK), https://www.ngo-netvaerk.dk/
- Húsavík Academic Center (HAC) (IS), https://hac.is

The Welcome meeting admitting the seven new members took part 28th of May 2021. One organisation - Interfolk (DK) decided to leave the Network.

In 2021 the Network members organised two virtual matchmaking seminars:
- MATCHMAKING around CULTURE/ARTS/HERITAGE that took place June 25th,
- MATCHMAKING around EDUCATION/LIFELONG LEARNING, the 8th of October.
The events involved, apart from the FN members representatives, also representatives of the organisations not being the FN members – in total 43 participants from 10 EU countries.

Each event was followed by a short evaluation, which results give some ideas for the FN development.

There was also a project proposal designed by FAIE intended for the Erasmus+ programme call for proposals, where several FN organisations were invited to cooperation – and some decided to join. The initiative entitled "EUropean NETworking as a method for further training and exchange of ideas in the lifelong learning sector" (EU NET) was co-financed and would be realised by 28th months, beginning from February 2022. The main aim of the project is to support the European level networking of the Civil Society Organisations active in the lifelong learning sector. The intended project results are: Delivered Toolkit on European Project Management for the Civil Society Organisations active in the lifelong learning sector and delivered Recommendations for European Networking of the Civil Society Organizations active in the Lifelong Learning Sector, based on thorough researching the existing legal and organisational opportunities for the European Networks on the EU level. The FN Members involved are FAIE (PL), COOSS (IT), FHSASB (HU), Rightchallenge (PT) and HAC (IS).

Concerning management of the Network, the main initiative giving and planning body, the FIRST Network Council, currently counts 4 members, who are also the founding members of the Network: FAIE (PL), COOSS (IT), FHSASB (HU) and Educult (AT). The Council composition is to be widened in 2022.

The Statute of the FIRST Network.

Feel invited to the second virtual matchmaking event organised by the FIRST Network! The event is expected to gather participants from Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal and more. Participants from any European country are welcomed.

Time and place: Friday, October 8th, 10.00 - 11.30 CET; Zoom

The aims of the event is facilitating the European cooperation in the field of education/lifelong learning through creating a platform for experiences exchange and new partnerships building and/or preparing to designing successful application for Erasmus+ small scale grant.

Addressees: Representatives of organisations/institutions/enterprises/informal groups related to education, interested in European cooperation in the field of education/lifelong learning.
We especially invite beginners in European cooperation.

Draft programme: At the first part of the event you would learn some good practices related to European cooperation in the field of education/lifelong learning - specific projects examples. You would also learn You would also learn about one of the possibilities to co-finance European cooperation in this field – Erasmus+, small scale partnerships (just 2 partners needed….)

The second part of the event will take place in 'breakout rooms' - smaller international groups. There you would have the possibility to present your project idea, exchange experiences, initiate new partnership(s), build your European network or just listen to the discussion if you chose so...

The detailed programme is available HERE.

Registration: The registration to the event will be opened by October 7th, 23:59 CET. The participation is limited to 40 persons. while registering - please tell us about your particular interests in the subject - we'll do our best to assign you to the group of similiar interests. The registration form is available HERE.

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