News
EIVET - Emotional Intelligence for a More Effective Educational Process
On 01.12.2023, project No.: 2021-1-BG01-KA220-ADU-000033724 titled EIVET - Emotional Intelligence for a More Effective Educational Process, completed its implementation. The following results were achieved within the project:
- O1: Developed an EI training course consisting of methodology, training materials, and guidelines for their application. The methodology was created based on the developed Guide for Semi-Structured Interviews and Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews and Training Needs Assessment. The materials assist the learning process and trainers in organizing and conducting training. The developed methodology and training materials are applicable to all types of training.
- O2: Created an interactive educational board game in 5 languages (English, Bulgarian, Italian, Greek, and Slovak) to facilitate the educational process in the classroom and for continuous learning in an informal environment. The board game contains 4 sets of cards: emotion cards, strategy cards, context cards, and situation cards; instructions with descriptions of different situations/stories and suggestions for effective strategies for their processing; detailed instructions on how to use the cards and a guide on how to decode and integrate emotions and needs.
- O3: Developed a mobile application Smart Emotion, stimulating the process of awareness and self-reflection, providing a quick, accessible, and accurate assessment of the user’s current emotional state by “scanning” several key indicators by answering basic questions about the user’s physical condition, feelings, and thoughts. The application is available for users on iOS and Android;
- 2 short-term joint staff training: C1 Validation of the developed methodology and training course and C2 Validation of the developed interactive board game.
- 1 multiplier event - E1: Final event - what has been done and achieved;
- 3 partner meetings;
- 3 e-newsletters;
- a project logo; The achieved results (O1 and O2) can be downloaded from this link: …
The developed mobile application is available to all users on iOS and Android.
Welcome to the LOCAL project’s 2nd Newsletter
LOCAL Boosting Silver Economy through local community mentoring is an Erasmus+ project (KA2 Cooperation partnerships in adult education) which aims to eliminate aged-related discrimination through the development of upskilling pathways in the field of Silver Economy, Silver Entrepreneurship and Community Mentoring.
Short-term Training in Emotional intelligence for VET Centers
In February 2023 the first Short-term Training in Emotional intelligence for VET Centers was held on in Sofia (Bulgaria). It was orgnized by Foundation for Developing Emotional Intelligence of Sofia. The participants attending the training were the experts from country partners of the international project: Fondazione Luigi Clerici (Italy), Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici (Slovakia), Technical Training Bulgaria Ltd (Bulgaria), Mesogeiako ekpaideftiko kentro - m.e.k. life-long learning center level ii s.a. (Greece). The aim of the training was to validate the program modules created within the intellectual Output 1 of the Project and to improve participants' EI competences. In the development of training modules all project partners were involved according to their experience. They created training tolls and provided ideas for exercises for every topic.
LOCAL Boosting Silver Economy through local Community Mentoring
A groundbreaking training program aimed at upskilling educators, trainers, and staff working in adult education has been\ successfully conducted under the prestigious Erasmus+ project LOCAL. The training, specifically designed to equip participants with mentoring skills and support the implementation of thematic mentoring cycles, marks a significant milestone in promoting the Silver Economy as an opportunity for local community development.
A total of 80 adult educators and trainers from Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and the Netherlands participated in the eight training sessions held across these countries.
“There's No Age Limit in Entrepreneurship” - a digital collection of 9 real-life stories
The LOCAL consortium developed a digital collection of real-life stories of 50+ adults with outstanding lifepaths in mentoring and entrepreneurship skills to be used to inspire others to become more actively engaged in their local communities.
The identification of role models was a well-planned and organised process, led by Inthecity Project Development, The Netherlands. After defining criteria for identifying and selecting role models in the partner countries each partner presented their role model. The LOCAL Role models are aged between 55 to 73 and active in a variety of fields, such as: language and integration of refugees, social and cultural animation, agriculture, digital marketing, sports entrepreneurship, art design, insurance sector.
Emotional Intelligence for more effective Training Process
This autumn the analysis of the semi-structured interviews which is part of PR1 - Building teaching methodology in EI, training materials, and instructions, which will support the learning process and training providers in VET centers, social support centers, social enterprises, business support organizations, or other, in the process of organization and conduction of training - has finally been concluded. The interviews, based on guidelines for applying structured and semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, took place during the summer months and were aimed at identifying training contexts, needs and trainee’s groups according to the opinions of trainers and trainees in each of the four partner countries.
All project partners contacted respondents from VET centers and universities: on the one hand experts having profound competence and expertise in providing training courses to different trainees (long-term unemployed, emigrants, employees, students, and trainers) and on the other hand trainees (long-term unemployed, emigrants, employees, students, and trainers). The five project partners conducted 103 interviews in total – 32 tutors and experts were interviewed with a questionnaire designed for trainers, and 71 potential trainees were interviewed with the form for the trainees.
LOCAL Boosting Silver Economy through local Community Mentoring
On November 29, 2022, [name of your organisation] joined the third transnational meeting of LOCAL, a Project co-funded by the Erasmus Plus Programme of the European Commission, which brings together 9 Partners from 8 different countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain). The meeting was held in Pescara and hosted by the Italian partner EPIC.
The LOCAL project aims to create and test a mentoring programme to upskill adult education providers and improve the professional skills of adults over 50. The final aim is to enhance the Silver Economy as an engine for the economic development of communities, and specifically in rural areas.
Multiplier Event: Young Farming in the Digital Era
On October 6, 2022, Agency for Economic Development – Kostinbrod will organize a Multiplier event at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv as part of YOUNG FARMERS (Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young Farmers), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together seven Partners from five different countries (Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Spain).
The focus of this Multiplier Event is to engage stakeholders and the various parties involved: young farmers from rural areas of Europe, enterprises promoting digital farming, suppliers of digital entrepreneurship.
Third Transnational Young Farmers project Meeting in Sofia
On September 30, 2022, Agency for Economic Development – Kostinbrod will host the third transnational meeting of YOUNG FARMERS (Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young Farmers), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together seven Partners from five different countries (Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Spain). The meeting will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The main aim of the meeting will be to discuss the final outcomes and results of the YOUNG FARMERS project implementation. The Partners will discuss the piloting sessions held across Europe, the guidelines for further uptake, and policy recommendations.
The Project’s Website is ready-to-use and online, translated in 5 languages, available at https://www.young-farmers.eu providing specific information on project aims, activities and results.
Read moreLOCAL Boosting Silver Economy through local Community Mentoring
On July 22nd, 2022, the Consortium joined the second Transnational Meeting of the LOCAL project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together 9 Partners from 8 different countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain). The meeting was held in Valladolid and hosted by the Spanish partner INFODEF.
The meeting represented an opportunity for partners to talk about the results developed so far and set deadlines for future activities. The Consortium is working to create and test a mentoring programme to upskill adult education providers and improve the professional skills of adults over 50. The final aim is to enhance the Silver Economy as an engine for the economic development of communities, and specifically in rural areas.
Piloting Sessions on EU incentives, Export Management and Competitive Strategies for Young Farmers in Plovdiv
June 9th 2022, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. At the Agricultural University in Plovdiv the Agency for Economic Development – Kostinbrod, National Association of Young Farmers in Bulgaria and Together for Personal development organised three piloting sessions with students of the University within YOUNG FARMERS (Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young Farmers), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together seven Partners from five different countries (Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Spain).
Agency for economic development Kostinbrod developed a document that outlined the timing, tasks and means to deliver the pilot version of the training. The Plan also provided guidance on how to structure the teaching activities, which tools to be used to collect feedback and comments from users.
EIVET Emotional Intelligence for More Effective Training Process
Sofia, February 28th 2022: With the kickoff event hosted online by the Organization “Technical Training” (Bulgaria) in February the activities of the project “EIVET Emotional Intelligence for more effective Training Process” with the reference number 2021-1-BG01-KA220-ADU-000033724 started.
The main objective of the project is to improve the availability of high quality learning opportunities for adults by integrating science and methodology of EI in the training process in order to support and to improve the efficiency and post-training success of the trainees and therefore to overcome the effects connected to unemployment, increased by the economic and financial crisis, which EU is facing after COVID-19.
The project focuses on two target groups: on the one hand it involves experts and tutors within VET centers, BSO, Social Organizations and Enterprises and on the other hand trainees, who will be the end users of the training courses. The target group of trainees will include employed, unemployed, low skilled people, youth and migrants.
Read moreLOCAL: Boosting Silver Economy through local Community Mentoring
On January 25th, our Kick-off meeting took place, the first Transnational meeting in an online format! It was a pleasure to meet the partners involved, who will collaborate over the next 24 months!
The LOCAL project 1) will identify 50+ adults to serve as inspirational role models through their mentoring and entrepreneurship skills, 2) will develop and test a blended in-service mentoring training programme to empower professionals working in adult education in supporting adults 50+ to develop entrepreneurial skills and 3) will also develop and test a bespoke thematic mentoring cycle addressed at engaging 50+ adults in silver economy topics, digital and entrepreneurship transversal skills.
The idea is to engage adults 50+ in entrepreneurship as a later career option, thus helping to counteract aging, prolonging employment and professional integration and reducing unemployment in late ages. Therefore, our targeted groups are professionals working in adult education and 50+ adults.
By delivering on its outputs (project results): PR1 - LOCAL digital hub for community mentoring; PR2 - LOCAL in-service mentoring training, and PR3 - LOCAL Thematic mentoring cycles, the project will contribute to improving the social inclusion of adults aged 50+ and will be contributing to the creation/development of new companies/startups in the Silver Economy ecosystem.
Supporting and Boosting the Competitiveness of EU Young Farmers: Agency for Economic Development – Kostinbrod joined the second Transnational Project Meeting of YOUNG FARMERS
On June 28, 2021, Agency for Economic Development – Kostinbrod joined the second transnational meeting of YOUNG FARMERS (Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young Farmers), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together seven Partners from five different countries (Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Spain). The meeting was held in online mode due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The main aim of the meeting was the presentation of the literature review, country reports, tools and good practices, and surveys, including a detailed analysis from each Partner. During the first phase of YOUNG FARMERS implementation, Partners focused on the review of policy papers, studies, research, articles and other relevant sources and resources.
The Partnership also discussed the implementation of courses (ten in total) under Intellectual Output 3.
The content of the training will address three main areas:
- Challenges and opportunities for farming in Digital Era
- Entrepreneurship, Business Competitiveness and e-marketing
- Internationalisation and e-commerce
All YOUNG FARMERS results will available in multilingual versions, free of charge and without restrictions through the dedicated OER platform.
AED Kostinbrod joined the online Kick-Off meeting of the YOUNG FARMERS Project
On November 26, 2020, AED Kostinbrod joined the online Kick-Off Meeting of YOUNG FARMERS (Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young farmers), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together seven Partners from five countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland and Spain). The Kick-Off Meeting, hosted by the Institut De Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (IHF asbl), was originally planned in Brussels, but has been rescheduled online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
While young farmers represent the economic bulk of European rural areas – territories that make up from 40% to 80% of every European nation – numerous EU reports identify the need of a strong entrepreneurial and risk management training (as well as new technologies) from which rural entrepreneurs can benefit in terms of new and more innovative models for business competitiveness.
The financial and long-term sustainability of their business is by several key factors: lack of entrepreneurial training; overall lack of digital and ICT competences; the competitive pressure represented by big industrial value chain.
A DIGITAL REPOSITORY OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITTIES FOR YOUNG FARMERS
ADVANCING BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS OF RURAL ENTREPRENEURS:
On September 2020, the Erasmus+ National Agency in Bulgaria communicated the approval of the YOUNG FARMERS - Rural Entrepreneurship Leveraging Advanced training for Young farmers proposal, under the KA2 Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training.
The project officially kick-started in mid-December with the first online transnational meeting during which partners had the great opportunity to refine and review the activities, deliverables and outcomes of the project as originally planned during proposal.
One of the very first activity was the development, testing and implementation of the Open Educational Resource Platform : the main showcase of project’s results and its greatest and most tangible channel for international visibility. The OER Platform is available in 5 languages (EN, BG, IT, ES, PL) and all of its content is fully available for free, with no sort of log-in / identification required from the user.
For the next two years, the Platform will host and mainstream all major Partnership’s achievements; each section of the OER Platform is a stand-alone library of its corresponding output.
The “Mapping” section will be the repository of the country reports elaborated by partners during the first half of 2021. Each country report (one for every nation represented by the Partners[1]) is an in-depth analysis of socio-economic dynamics both threatening and enhancing young farmers’ competitiveness. The analysis will bring out to light specific needs / empowerment opportunities that the Partnership will address through the development, testing and validation of dedicated training material – fully available for free, with no kind of limitation for its access. The educational resources will be published on “Toolkits”. The “Guidelines” sections will host two very important documents: guidelines to promote the uptake of project results and deliverables beyond the scope of the partnership and the scale of the project; a Policy Memo collecting all the lessons learned acquired at implementation and consolidating the wealth of knowledge on the dynamics of digital and ICT tools applied to farming entrepreneurship from an operational perspective.
Strategically relevant for the widespread impact of the project is also the “Associates” section: stakeholders in the domain of rural entrepreneurship, primary sector, agribusiness, etc., will be able to join the community of practice of YOUNG FARMERS; they will remain updated on project activities, news and deliverables.
Be in Europe
All Intellectual outputs created within the project Be in Europe have been finalized. The available languages include English, Bulgarian, Greek, Portuguese, Italian and French.
The documents will be uploaded on our platform here: www.beineurope.eu
Be in Europe - Sofia Multiplier Event
Save the date! Another multiplier event will be organized on 14 of January 2021 in Sofia under the implementation of project “Be In Europe” (Erasmus+ Programme) with Title “Migrants’ Integration - meeting with local actors”. The presented IOs in combination with the corresponding piloting sessions are essential for migrants and entrepreneurs who hire migrants (as stated in the feedback, following the piloting sessions). Where? 122, Ovche pole Str., 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria @ 13 h EET, the Seminar hall of Technical Training Bulgaria on the 4th floor.
For any questions and/or confirming your participation you can contact Anton Caro, Project Coordinator, a.caro@ttbulgaria.eu
Be in Europe - Newsletters
We are pleased to announce that the first three newsletters are already issued. You may find interesting and useful information concerning the project Be in Europe there, as well as a couple of lines about the training sessions performed with the target groups.
Awaiting your comments!!!
Our platform is awaiting your comments! - www.beineurope.eu/cliches Open a cliché, click on it, leave a comment! Ready, steady, go!
Training session with entrepreneurs under the project Be in Europe
A training session on Conflict management will be organized on the 21 Oct 2020 for a group of migrants entrepreneurs within the project Be in Europe in City Avenue Hotel, Sofia. The topic was transversally developed within the project by other project members and was selected for piloting because of its relevance and timeliness.
Training session with entrepreneurs under the project Be in Europe
An opportunity for 15 migrants will take place on the 19 and 20 Oct 2020 in two training sessions in City Avenue Hotel, Sofia. The event will enrich the participants in the field of Decision making and Time management for better adaptation and better social inclusion. These two topics were selected among a list of thematics transversally developed within the project by other project members.
Be in Europe - Online survey
Welcome to Be in Europe project Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/tobeineuropeYou will find here news about events and initiatives connected with the project, but not limited to.
Be in Europe - is online now!
Technical Training Bulgaria will carry out two events in autumn aimed at migrants. Within Intellectual Output 2 there is a scheduled 8 h training on Decision Making and Time Management with a group of 15 participants. Within Intellectual Output 3 there is a 8 h training on Conflict Management for 6 businessmen of migrant origin. These sessions will test the quality and usefulness of the training materials developed within the project.
Be in Europe – Platform with Clichés about Migrants
Within the Project “Be in Europe” a platform was created for the support of an activity called "Cliché". Through this activity, participants were invited to anonymously share a cliché (through photos, drawings, video, etc.) and share different experiences in each territory of the partnership. The activity aimed at taking stock of these clichés and understanding things differently, from another angle within an intercultural environment in which we live. The contribution of our partners is available online through the following link: https://www.beineurope.eu/cliches
Be in Europe - Online survey
Within the Project “Be in Europe” a platform will be created for the support of an activity called "Cliché".
Through this activity, participants will be invited to anonymously share a cliché (through photos, drawings, video, etc.) and share different experiences in each territory of the partnership.
The activity has the aim of taking stock of these clichés and understanding things differently, from another angle within an intercultural environment in which we live.
The contribution of our partners is available online through the following link:
beineurope.eu/cliches
Be in Europe - is online now!
The Project “Be in Europe” is online now! Follow us on
www.beineurope.eu
Be in Europe project aims to accompany migration dynamics while developing and promoting alternative learning device for migrant integration within society and labour market of the host countries.
The goal is to participate in building a transcultural and tolerant Europe that creates wealth for all and by all.
The project is designed for, on one hand, migrants and supporting organizations promoting their social and cultural integration and, on the other hand, companies and organizations involved in professional integration.
In particular, it aims at working on the development and implementation of learning devices aimed at:
- Improving psychosocial skills for migrants: to solve problems; to make decisions; to communicate effectively; to manage stress, emotions, etc.;
- Mediation and intercultural competences for companies;
- Support for creation of activity/ entrepreneurship support for the exchange of good practices, mentoring activities and a case study about "clichés”;
- The establishment of conditions for sustainability of the devices by closely associating direct beneficiaries all along the project and by using the collaborative platform "Be in Europe". This platform will have a double function: it will host all project outputs and ease networking amongst the different actors, and will be the technical basement for all activities to be developed.
Be in Europe - Project Multiplier event
Project Multiplier event was organized on 10 of March 2020 in Sofia under the implementation of project “Be In Europe” (Erasmus+ Programme) with Title “Migrants’ Integration - meeting with local actors”. The participants agreed with the major findings provided by Mr. Kostadinov and Mr. Pashov on the obstacles, which migrants face in Bulgaria. Then a discussion followed with the participants, which went ahead until the end of the event. The presented IOs are essential for migrants. Some recommendations include: a dedicated session within the piloting on culture awareness; multi-level structure of the materials, optimized for low-skilled people; to create videos for those who do not master English with subtitles in the most-widely spread migrant languages. The participants in the Multiplier Event of the Project provided the following comments: a/ The Outputs of the Project were addressed as appropriate for the target groups they were intended for; and b/ The participants generated interest in the piloting sessions and the training materials.
Be in Europe - E1 MULTIPLIER EVENT
Project Multiplier event will be organized on 10 of March 2020 in Sofia under the implementation of project “Be In Europe” (Erasmus+ Programme) with Title “Migrants’ Integration - meeting with local actors”. As attached you can find the Agenda and Project Resume info. For any questions and/or confirming your participation you can contact Anton Caro, Project Coordinator, a.caro@ttbulgaria.eu
More infoBe in Europe - Online survey
We created an online questionnaire for migrants, to collect as much useful information as possible on setting up businesses and, for businesses, providing practical advice/sharing the experience of setting up businesses while learning from exchanges to better understand interculturality within businesses.
Be in Europe - Aims
A large part of European countries is experiencing or will experience migration related to labour needs, but also to population displacement. Migration crisis in Europe started in 2010 and saw further growth in 2015, which that year went up to more than one million migrants in Europe (source: International Organization for Migrants). Meanwhile, we can only acknowledge the relative failure of integration of migrant populations: host countries face difficulties in welcoming and integrating these new citizens.
More infoBe in Europe - Project presentation
Be in Europe is a European project launched in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme dealing with adult education. Be in Europe project proposes to foster active inclusion in Europe.
Mastering basic skills and social inclusion, Third multiplier event
E3 DISSEMINATION EVENT of IGETADAPT Project “Innovation and Good Practices Exchange through Adaptation and Testing of Suggestopedia as a Highly Effective Teaching Method”, 3rd July 2018 in Lyon, France Third multiplier event E3 will take place in Lyon, France , on 3rd July 2018.
DURING THE EVENT, FOLLOWING TOPICS WILL BE DISCUSSED:
- Basic knowledge and basic skills, an european overview
- Issues with the fight against illiteracy in our society
- Access to training as a pathway to citizenship
- Basic knowledge as a pathway to social inclusion
- The strategies of cleaning companies
- The challenges of IGETADAPT project
- Main principle of suggestopedia
- Use of suggestopedia in training courses
- The crazy palace: the global simulation method in classes for asylum seekers
Innovation and Good Practices Exchange through Adaptation and Testing of Suggestopedia as a Highly Effective Teaching Method
E2 DISSEMINATION EVENT of IGETADAPT Project “Innovation and Good Practices Exchange through Adaptation and Testing of Suggestopedia as a Highly Effective Teaching Method”, 27th October 2017, Lugo, Italy Second multiplier event E2 will take place in Lugo, Italy, on 27th October 2017.DURING THE EVENT, FOLLOWING TOPICS WILL BE DISCUSSED:
Multiplier Event
The following 1-day seminar took place in Sofia on 27 Apr 2017. There were several presentations:
- Presentation of the IGETADAPT Project – objectives and activities by Dilyana Kalaydzhieva – project coordinator
- Presentation of Intellectual output 1 - target group's needs, existing methodologies within partners' countries by Anton Caro - project expert
- Presentation of the Methodological Framework (Output 1) by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Galya Mateva.
A professional atmosphere formed and a fruitful discussion followed.
Methodological Framework – Draft 1
The first draft of the methodological framework was presented during the training organized in Sofia from 5 Dec to 9 Dec 2016. It discusses the target group needs and the best practices used by the institutions on one hand, on the other hand – the principles of suggestopedia, the methodological framework and material design, since one of the main objectives of the project is to develop a Methodological Framework based on Suggestopedia to provide insights into designing new training courses to suit the needs of the project partners.
This project has been funded with the support of
the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union
The project IGETADAPT
The project IGETADAPT is based on transfer of the "Suggestopedia" educational system and its adaptation to the methodologies used in trainings and education on Basic skills for adults.