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.

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 project core partners, 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.

Project title: "Recommendations for international project managers competences recognition and validation for lifelong learning" (AER-V).

Short description:
The main challenge the project addresses is little support available for recognition and validation of knowledge, skills and competences of international project managers active in Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the adult education sector, acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning.The challenge was named during the realisation of the related project - “The first-time international projects managers support network”.

The overall aim is to support recognition and validation of knowledge, skills and competences of international project managers active in Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the adult education sector, acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning.

The direct target group of the project includes the members, workers, co-workers, educators and volunteers of the Third Sector adult education organisations (i.e. Civil Society Organisations, including informal groups, Non-governmental organisations and other non-profit organisations).

The project flow is based on several transnational meetings aiming at good practices and experiences exchange. The project also includes a short-term joint staff training event - Structured Democratic Dialogue Co-laboratory.
As a result there will be recommendations for international project managers competences recognition and validation for lifelong learning developed.
AER-V is an element of a long-term strategic plan of the project core partners, aiming at delivering sustainable support for international cooperation of the adult learning sector CSOs.

Related project: “The first-time international projects managers support network”.

Period of realisation: December 2019 – December 2021.

Project partners:
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
INSTITOUTO NEUROEPISTIMON KAI TECHNOLOGIAS KYPROU/ Future Worlds Centre (CY), www.futureworldscenter.org

Co-funding: Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union (2014-2020), KA2 Exchange of Good Practices.

We have the pleasure to announce that new FIRST Network Members were admitted in April 2021.

The new FIRST Network Members are:

COMMIT, Austria, https://www.commit.at/veranstaltungen
Simbiosofia Consulting and Training, Italy, www.simbiosofia
Rightchallenge, Portugal, https://rightchallenge.org
Strangers Become Friends, Austria, https://www.fremdewerdenfreunde.at/
Carpathian Foundation – Hungary, https://karpatokalapitvany.hu/
The NGO Network for International Project Work, Denmark, www.ngo-netvaerk.dk
Húsavík Academic Center (HAC), Island, https://hac.is/

The virtual welcome meeting, where all the present FIRST Network Members could meet for the first time, took place May 28th.

Welcome on board!

Currently the FIRST Network in built by 11 organisations from 7 EU countries.

The "First-time international projects realisers support network" (1stTIPPM) project was concluded in December 2020.

All the project resulta are available at this Portal as well as on the Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform.

The works of the 1stTIPPM Partners are continued twofolds:
1. Through the activities of the FIRST Network, founded in December 2020.
The FIRST Network is 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.

2. Through the complementary project, "Recommendations for international project managers competences recognition and validation for lifelong learning" (AER-V).

The European Union recently introduced small-scale partnerships into Erasmus+ to reach out and provide opportunities to smaller grass-roots organizations which might have less experience with international partnerships. The small-scale partnership requires only a minimum of two organizations in programme countries to work together; it is open to public or private organizations in the fields of education, training, youth, sports, and other socioeconomic sectors.

The objectives of the program are stated as:

• Attracting and widening access for newcomers, less experiences organisations and small-scale actors to the programme.
• Supporting the inclusion of target groups with fewer opportunities
• Supporting active European citizenship and bringing the European dimension to the local level.

If your organization is new to international cooperation, a small-scale partnership could be the perfect starting step. It requires less coordination than a project with many partner organizations, and thus is a good introduction to the complexities and challenges that can occur with transnational projects.

Find more info about small-scale partnerships—including eligibility criteria, how to set up a project, and funding rules—here on the European Commission’s website.

This glossary, created by the European Commission, highlights key competences and skills needed in contemporary Europe. These can also be incorporated into application materials.

The glossary defines skills and competences in the following categories

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Attitudes and values
• Language skills and knowledge

Check out the full glossary here.

The European Commission has created a database for research results that are produced by Horizon 2020 projects. They accept publications from many subject areas including the humanities and arts as well as social sciences, which are checked and then published for peer-review. 

The research published through Open Research Europe is open for all to access, allowing the information gained through Horizon projects to have a wide reach.

Open Research Europe is currently accepting submissions and will publish its first articles in March 2021. 

Check it out here.