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.
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 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.
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 virtual matchmaking seminar: YOUTH WORK. Exchange of good practices & networking meeting, October 14th.
The event involved also representatives of the organisations not being the FN members: in total 17 participants from 6 EU countries.
The event was followed by a short evaluation which results give some ideas for the FN development. - There were the Recommendations for the validation and recognition system for the European project managers working in civil society organisations developed by several FN members: FAIE (PL), COOSS (IT), FHSASB (HU), Rightchallenge (PT), EDUCULT (AT), + Interfolk (DK) & Future Worlds Centre (CY) [AER-V, Erasmus+]
- Common initiative of several FN members, ”EUropean NETworking as a method for further training and exchange of ideas in the lifelong learning sector”, [EU NET], continues [Erasmus+]
[EU NET would be realised by 28th months, beginning from February 2022. EU NET is about developing self-directed learning materials for first-time European projects realisers as well as on further researching the legal and organisational opportunities for the European Networks. The FN Members involved are FAIE (PL), COOSS (IT), FHSASB (HU), Rightchallenge (PT) and HAC (IS)]
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.
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.
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:
- 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. - 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.
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.
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.
Feel invited to the first 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, June 25th, 11.00 - 12.30 CET; Zoom
The aim of the event is facilitating the European cooperation in the field of culture/arts/cultural heritage through creating a platform for experiences exchange and new partnerships building.
Addressees: Representatives of organisations/institutions/enterprises/informal groups related to education, interested in European cooperation in the field of culture/arts/cultural heritage.
We invite both experienced international projects realisers and beginners in the field of 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 arts/culture/heritage - specific projects examples. You would also learn about one of the possibilities to co-finance European cooperation in this field - the Creative Europe Programme.
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 June 23rd, 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.
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. The basic terms of operation of the FIRST Network are described in the Memorandum of Understanding Founding the FIRST Network.
The FIRST Network is open for new members that can become the civil society organisations and entities active in the field of liberal adult education/lifelong learning. If interested in being the Member, please fill in this form and contact one of the Founding Members representatives:
Poland:
Agnieszka Dadak: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Italia:
Lorenza Lupini: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Magyarország:
Marianna Labancz: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Danmark:
Hans Jørgen Vodsgaard: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Österreich:
Aron Weigl: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We have the pleasure to announce that, with the date of 4th of December 2020, the five project partners of the "First-time international projects realisers support network" project accepted the final shape of the Memorandum of Understanding founding the international FIRST Network. The word 'FIRST' is the acronym of First International Realisation Support Team Network.
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. The goals and planned activities of the Network are described in the Memorandum of Understanding.
The FIRST Network is open for new members, that can become the civil society organisations and entities active in the field of liberal adult education/lifelong learning. If interested in getting involved in the FIRST Network activities, please contact one of the Founding Members representatives:
Poland:
Agnieszka Dadak: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Italia:
Lorenza Lupini: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Magyarország:
Marianna Labancz: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Danmark:
Hans Jørgen Vodsgaard: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Österreich:
Aron Weigl: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In this handbook for interested in international cooperation you will find, firstly, a brief review the basics of andragogy and adult education methods. Secondly, you will find here real, practical examples on organising European level, international trainings supporting international cooperation. How to plan, design and deliver international training for first-time international projects realisers? What should it contain? What methods could be used? What possible training programmes could be realised? And especially - how to turn a 'traditional', on-the-site training into an online form? Feel invited to get inspired by the Polish, Hungarian, Danish, Austrian and Italian experiences while planning your trainings - or chosing the best training offer to upgrade your competences!
There were ten representatives of civil society organisations - first-time international projects managers and management bodies members - who took part in the pilotace mentoring cooperation. The aim of this cooperation was to test various scenarios of mentoring cooperation in order to support those interested in initiating international cooperation in planning and designing their first international projects.
The mentoring pilots were realised between October 2019 and May 2020, in all the five partner countries: Poland, Italy, Denmark, Austria and Hungary.
The report presents ready-to-use mentoring programmes, both for the adult education organisations managers and first-time international project managers.
In this handbook you will find, first of all, some review of the basics of andragogy and adult education methods. Secondly, you will find there some real, practical examples of national trainings supporting international cooperation realised in Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Italy and Austria. How to plan, design and deliver trainings for the first-time international projects realisers? What modules should such a training course contain? What methods could be used? What possible training programmes may be realised realised? Here you will find some helpful examples to design good training courses/find the best training offer for upgrading your competences.
The research was realised in Poland, Italy, Hungary, Denmark and Austria in the spring 2019. It consisted of on-line questionnaire, interviews and a desk research. The research respondents were over 200 managers and management bodies members of the civil society organisations active in the field of lifelong learning, as well as several specialists working for the European grant programmes operators. In addition to the key competences of the international project managers, the report describes the needs of support expected by the international cooperation specialists from the managers of the organisations they are working for.
The research was realised in Poland, Italy, Hungary, Denmark and Austria in the spring 2019. It consisted of on-line questionnaire and interviews. The research respondents were over 200 managers and management bodies members of the civil society organisations active in the field of lifelong learning.
