Category: News

Partners from Europe, Vietnam, and the Maldives gathered in Mladá Boleslav for the first in-person SUSTAIN project meeting and intensive training sessions hosted by Škoda Auto University.

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic — Marking a major milestone in their three-year collaborative journey, partners of the international SUSTAIN (Sustainable Universities for Society Through Action, Innovation, and Knowledge Networks) project successfully gathered for their first in-person project meeting and intensive training sessions. The multi-day event was hosted by the project coordinator, Škoda Auto University (ŠAVŠ), in Mladá Boleslav.

Bringing together representatives from Europe, Vietnam, and the Maldives, the onsite meeting allowed the consortium to transition from virtual coordination to deep, face-to-face collaboration, solidifying plans for enhancing the “third mission” of higher education.

A Look Inside the Meeting Agenda

The comprehensive four-day itinerary combined rigorous strategic planning, institutional knowledge sharing, and experiential learning.

Day 1: Arrival & Alignment (Wednesday, 22 April)

The meeting commenced swiftly following the arrival of international partners in Mladá Boleslav. Representatives gathered at Škoda Auto University for an initial project meeting to review early milestones, followed by an official welcome dinner hosted by ŠAVŠ at the local eMBe restaurant to foster closer cross-cultural connections.

Day 2: Strategic Roadmapping (Thursday, 23 April)

An intensive, full-day session was dedicated entirely to project management and strategic alignment. Meeting in both morning and afternoon blocks at the university, partners mapped out operational timelines, discussed stakeholder engagement methodologies, and ironed out the framework for implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green solutions across partner campuses.

Day 3: Experience Sharing & Industrial Insight (Friday, 24 April)

Morning Training Session: The focus shifted heavily toward institutional capacity building. European and Indo-Pacific partners participated in a collaborative workshop titled “Third mission at your institution – share your experience.” Host institution ŠAVŠ and the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia) led the way, followed by insightful localized presentations from the Vietnamese (VN) and Maldivian (MD) delegations detailing their current community engagement landscapes.

Afternoon Factory Tour: To see sustainable corporate practices in action, partners spent the afternoon visiting the world-renowned Škoda Auto Museum and Factory, gaining practical insights into industrial sustainability and corporate social responsibility on a global scale.

Day 4: Future Blueprints (Saturday, 25 April)

The onsite gathering concluded with a vital training block led by the University of Dubrovnik (UNIDU). This session focused entirely on developing the “Blueprint” — a core project deliverable that will serve as the foundation for the participating universities to build long-term, inclusive, and sustainable third-mission strategies.

Moving Forward

With the foundational blueprints established and stronger institutional bonds formed, the SUSTAIN consortium leaves Czechia fully equipped to roll out the next phase of capacity building. The outcomes of this week will directly feed into the creation of sustainability learning materials and toolkits designed to empower regional higher education institutions across Vietnam and the Maldives.

Stay tuned to our channels for upcoming updates on the implementation of these third-mission strategies.

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic — Marking a major milestone in their three-year collaborative journey, partners of the international SUSTAIN (Sustainable Universities for Society Through Action, Innovation, and Knowledge Networks) project successfully gathered for their first in-person project meeting and intensive training sessions. The multi-day event was hosted by the project coordinator, Škoda Auto University (ŠAVŠ), in Mladá Boleslav.

Bringing together representatives from Europe, Vietnam, and the Maldives, the onsite meeting allowed the consortium to transition from virtual coordination to deep, face-to-face collaboration, solidifying plans for enhancing the “third mission” of higher education.

A Look Inside the Meeting Agenda

The comprehensive four-day itinerary combined rigorous strategic planning, institutional knowledge sharing, and experiential learning.

Day 1: Arrival & Alignment (Wednesday, 22 April)

The meeting commenced swiftly following the arrival of international partners in Mladá Boleslav. Representatives gathered at Škoda Auto University for an initial project meeting to review early milestones, followed by an official welcome dinner hosted by ŠAVŠ at the local eMBe restaurant to foster closer cross-cultural connections.

Day 2: Strategic Roadmapping (Thursday, 23 April)

An intensive, full-day session was dedicated entirely to project management and strategic alignment. Meeting in both morning and afternoon blocks at the university, partners mapped out operational timelines, discussed stakeholder engagement methodologies, and ironed out the framework for implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green solutions across partner campuses.

Day 3: Experience Sharing & Industrial Insight (Friday, 24 April)

Morning Training Session: The focus shifted heavily toward institutional capacity building. European and Indo-Pacific partners participated in a collaborative workshop titled “Third mission at your institution – share your experience.” Host institution ŠAVŠ and the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia) led the way, followed by insightful localized presentations from the Vietnamese (VN) and Maldivian (MD) delegations detailing their current community engagement landscapes.

Afternoon Factory Tour: To see sustainable corporate practices in action, partners spent the afternoon visiting the world-renowned Škoda Auto Museum and Factory, gaining practical insights into industrial sustainability and corporate social responsibility on a global scale.

Day 4: Future Blueprints (Saturday, 25 April)

The onsite gathering concluded with a vital training block led by the University of Dubrovnik (UNIDU). This session focused entirely on developing the “Blueprint” — a core project deliverable that will serve as the foundation for the participating universities to build long-term, inclusive, and sustainable third-mission strategies.

Moving Forward

With the foundational blueprints established and stronger institutional bonds formed, the SUSTAIN consortium leaves Czechia fully equipped to roll out the next phase of capacity building. The outcomes of this week will directly feed into the creation of sustainability learning materials and toolkits designed to empower regional higher education institutions across Vietnam and the Maldives.

Stay tuned to our channels for upcoming updates on the implementation of these third-mission strategies.

 Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic — Marking a major milestone in their three-year collaborative journey, partners of the international SUSTAIN (Sustainable Universities for Society Through Action, Innovation, and Knowledge Networks) project successfully gathered for their first in-person project meeting and intensive training sessions. The multi-day event was hosted by the project coordinator, Škoda Auto University (ŠAVŠ), in Mladá Boleslav.

Bringing together representatives from Europe, Vietnam, and the Maldives, the onsite meeting allowed the consortium to transition from virtual coordination to deep, face-to-face collaboration, solidifying plans for enhancing the “third mission” of higher education.

A Look Inside the Meeting Agenda

The comprehensive four-day itinerary combined rigorous strategic planning, institutional knowledge sharing, and experiential learning.

Day 1: Arrival & Alignment (Wednesday, 22 April)

The meeting commenced swiftly following the arrival of international partners in Mladá Boleslav. Representatives gathered at Škoda Auto University for an initial project meeting to review early milestones, followed by an official welcome dinner hosted by ŠAVŠ at the local eMBe restaurant to foster closer cross-cultural connections.

Day 2: Strategic Roadmapping (Thursday, 23 April)

An intensive, full-day session was dedicated entirely to project management and strategic alignment. Meeting in both morning and afternoon blocks at the university, partners mapped out operational timelines, discussed stakeholder engagement methodologies, and ironed out the framework for implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green solutions across partner campuses.

Day 3: Experience Sharing & Industrial Insight (Friday, 24 April)

Morning Training Session: The focus shifted heavily toward institutional capacity building. European and Indo-Pacific partners participated in a collaborative workshop titled “Third mission at your institution – share your experience.” Host institution ŠAVŠ and the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia) led the way, followed by insightful localized presentations from the Vietnamese (VN) and Maldivian (MD) delegations detailing their current community engagement landscapes.

Afternoon Factory Tour: To see sustainable corporate practices in action, partners spent the afternoon visiting the world-renowned Škoda Auto Museum and Factory, gaining practical insights into industrial sustainability and corporate social responsibility on a global scale.

Day 4: Future Blueprints (Saturday, 25 April)

The onsite gathering concluded with a vital training block led by the University of Dubrovnik (UNIDU). This session focused entirely on developing the “Blueprint” — a core project deliverable that will serve as the foundation for the participating universities to build long-term, inclusive, and sustainable third-mission strategies.

Moving Forward

With the foundational blueprints established and stronger institutional bonds formed, the SUSTAIN consortium leaves Czechia fully equipped to roll out the next phase of capacity building. The outcomes of this week will directly feed into the creation of sustainability learning materials and toolkits designed to empower regional higher education institutions across Vietnam and the Maldives.

Stay tuned to our channels for upcoming updates on the implementation of these third-mission strategies.

https://sustaininitiative.com

The European Society for Socio-Economic Integration (ESSEI) is proud to announce its participation in SUSTAIN – Sustainable Universities for Society Through Action, Innovation and Knowledge Networks, a new Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic).

Bringing together eight partner institutions from Europe, Vietnam, and the Maldives, SUSTAIN aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to become active drivers of sustainable development, community engagement, and societal transformation. The project places particular emphasis on supporting universities in Vietnam and the Maldives in developing their Third Mission—the role of higher education institutions beyond teaching and research, contributing directly to social, economic, and environmental progress.

Building More Sustainable and Inclusive Universities

Higher education institutions are increasingly expected to address complex societal challenges, ranging from climate change and environmental sustainability to social inclusion and community development. SUSTAIN responds to this need by supporting universities in embedding sustainability and stakeholder engagement into their governance, teaching, and outreach activities.

Over the next three years, the project will focus on:

• strengthening institutional capacities for Third Mission activities;
• promoting sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and green practices within higher education;
• advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles;
• reinforcing cooperation between universities, civil society organisations, public authorities, and the private sector;
• developing practical tools, methodologies, and capacity-building resources that can be integrated into institutional practices and policies.

Through these actions, SUSTAIN seeks to position universities as key actors in achieving sustainable and inclusive development within their communities.

ESSEI’s Role in the Project

As a European partner, ESSEI contributes its expertise in European cooperation, stakeholder engagement, dissemination, and capacity building. Within the project, ESSEI co-leads dissemination activities, supporting the consortium in ensuring that project results reach relevant audiences at local, national, regional, and international levels.

In particular, ESSEI will:

• contribute to the development and implementation of the project’s dissemination strategy;
• ensure alignment with Erasmus+ and European Commission requirements regarding communication, visibility, and exploitation of results;
• support the transfer of European good practices related to sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and university-society cooperation;
• provide methodological guidance to partner institutions in Vietnam and the Maldives in line with the capacity-building spirit of the Erasmus+ programme.

Through this role, ESSEI will help maximise the visibility, impact, and long-term sustainability of the project’s outcomes.

An International Partnership

SUSTAIN brings together a diverse consortium of higher education institutions and education stakeholders committed to strengthening sustainable and inclusive higher education:

• Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic) – Coordinator
• University of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
• The European Society for Socio-Economic Integration – ESSEI (Italy)
• Banking Academy of Vietnam (Vietnam)
• Phu Yen University (Vietnam)
• Bac Giang Agriculture and Forestry University (Vietnam)
• Islamic University of Maldives (Maldives)
• Zikura International College (Maldives)

This transnational partnership creates a unique platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and jointly developing innovative approaches that strengthen the contribution of higher education to sustainable development.

For more information about the project, visit the official SUSTAIN website: https://sustaininitiative.com/

A 4.2 Piloting to 120 targets

A YEAR BETTER consortium is pleased to announce the launch of the Work Package 4 activity: Piloting the AYB Training with 120 target group representatives. Piloting activity involves real-world testing with target audiences to assess usability, effectiveness, and impact. It aims to gather feedback, refine training materials, and monitor user satisfaction and preferences through anonymous usage statistics to monitor performance, usability, as well as user satisfaction and training preferences.

Project partners will deliver AYB trainings, channeling through as many participants as possible, according to their internal schedule to ensure the maximum exposure. AYB training material includes a set of 10 training modules, available on the AYB OER Platform, each aligned with the 21 competencies outlined in the DigComp framework. A minimum of 120 seniors will be trained.

Feedback from the particicipants will be collected from interested parties involved in training (participants, trainers, staff members, etc.,) at the end of each training course.

Thanks to the results obtained by the piloting activity, project partners will further fine-tune AYB Training accordingly, in its final version. Guidelines for future training will be based on the piloting activity insights.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

“A Year Better” (AYB) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, proudly announces the successful implementation of Work Package 3 (WP3): Development of AYB Training Content, coordinated by E-Seniors (France) with the active contribution of all project partners from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium.

Building upon the research and mapping achieved in WP2, WP3 focused on creating engaging, learner-centered training materials designed to enhance seniors’ Digital Survival Skills in line with the European DigComp framework.

Within this work package, the consortium has:

• Developed 10 interactive and accessible training modules, each lasting up to 45 minutes, addressing practical digital skills related to online banking, cybersecurity, social participation, independent living, and active ageing.
• Created a full set of supporting materials, including:
  • Training content in word and PowerPoint versions 
  • Thematic glossary and self-assessment quizzes
  • Video summaries, and certificates of completion
• We are currently preparing multilingual translations of all training content into six languages, ensuring accessibility for seniors across Europe and strengthening the inclusivity of the project’s outputs.

A Step Towards Digital Empowerment

The AYB training program aims to empower older adults to develop essential digital competences, enabling them to navigate everyday online environments safely and confidently. Each course is designed to be short, practical, and easy to follow—promoting autonomy and lifelong learning.

By integrating the DigComp framework with a senior-focused approach, WP3 marks a significant step in improving the quality, flexibility, and accessibility of adult education in Europe.

With the completion of WP3, AYB now moves forward to Work Package 4, which will focus on deploying and piloting the training modules through the project’s multilingual Open Educational Resources (OER) platform.

Join us on our journey toward a digitally inclusive and empowered society!

To access the training modules currently available in English: https://ayearbetter.eu/training.php?lang=EN

For more information about the AYB project:
🌐 www.ayearbetter.eu 
📸 www.instagram.com/ayearbetter 
📘 www.facebook.com/ayearbetter 
📧 ayearbetter@gmail.com 
#AYearBetter #ErasmusPlus #DigitalInclusion #ActiveAgeing 

“A Year Better” project, co-funded by Erasmus+, is pleased to announce the successful completion of Work Package 2 (WP2), dedicated to the mapping of Digital Survival Skills in line with the European DigComp framework. The finalization of WP2 is the result of a common effort of partners from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium, who closely cooperated to reach the common goal.

Within WP2, the consortium has:

• Identified and analysed essential digital skills for seniors, with a focus on how these skills can help combat digital isolation
• Assessed existing tools and digital resources available to older adults, highlighting both strengths and gaps
• Compared European, national, and local standards to outline a clear and coherent framework of “Digital Survival Skills”

The mapping results will serve as the foundation for the project’s next stages, particularly:

• the design of multilingual training modules in Work Package 3
• the development of the Open Educational Resources (OER) platform hosting training materials
• a strategic approach to fostering the digital inclusion of older adults

The AYB team is now building on these findings to create practical and accessible training content, which will be piloted in the coming months. With WP2 finalised, the project moves one step closer to its overarching goal: strengthening digital competences, promoting autonomy, and supporting seniors’ active participation in today’s digital society.

For more details about WP2 outcomes, visit the Mapping section on the official website.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

On 17 September 2025, the partners of the European project A YEAR BETTER (AYB), co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, gathered in Málaga (Spain) for a Transnational Project Meeting. Hosted by Arrabal-AID and IT Solutions For All, the meeting brought together representatives from the six partner organisations across Spain, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, and Belgium to review progress, share updates, and plan the next stages of the project.

The agenda opened with a welcome and introduction by the hosting partners, followed by a session on Project Management (Work Package 1) to ensure coordination and smooth implementation. Partners then discussed the official closure of WP2, led by IAL FVG (IT), focusing on mapping Digital Survival Skillsagainst the DigComp framework and identifying digital solutions to help seniors combat loneliness and foster inclusiveness.

The highlight of the meeting was WP3, presented by E-Seniors (FR), which centers on the development of a multilingual training curriculum tailored to seniors’ needs. Building on the findings of WP2, the training will include 10 modules, available in six languages, covering essential areas such as financial literacy, social participation, independent living, and active ageing. The partners discussed the structure, methodology, and content of these modules, ensuring they address real challenges faced by ICT low-skilled seniors and late digital adopters. WP3 represents a cornerstone of the project, as it directly empowers seniors to use online tools for daily needs and to maintain their independence in a digital society.

IT Solutions For All then presented the progress of WP4, which involves the development and piloting of the AYB Open Educational Resources (OER) platform, the main hub where seniors will access the training materials and resources created during the project. A workshop on green and sustainable practices further enriched the agenda, underlining the consortium’s commitment to sustainability.

The meeting concluded with a joint session dedicated to next steps, action items, and future collaboration opportunities.

The A YEAR BETTER project is committed to empowering seniors by enhancing their digital skills, promoting social inclusion, and supporting active ageing. Through its training program and OER platform, AYB is paving the way for a more inclusive digital society where seniors can remain independent, connected, and confident in their everyday lives.

For more information about AYB project:

www.ayearbetter.eu

www.instagram.com/ayearbetter

www.facebook.com/ayearbetter

ayearbetter@gmail.com

Join us on this journey towards a digitally inclusive future for all!

With Europe’s population aging rapidly, digital exclusion among seniors remains a growing concern. The Erasmus+ project “A Year Better” (AYB) addresses this challenge by equipping older adults with the skills to navigate the digital world, enhancing their independence, inclusion, and quality of life.

On May 20th, 2025, partners met in Brussels, hosted by the Belgian partner IHF asbl, for the project’s first in person meeting. The session focused on reviewing progress and aligning the next steps across all the Work Packages.

Key discussions included project coordination (WP1), mapping activities (WP2), training development in six languages (WP3), and the design of AYB’s user-friendly Open Educational Resources platform (WP4). A dedicated workshop on green practices further connected AYB’s goals with broader sustainability principles.

A highlight of the meeting was Work Package 2 (WP2), led by IAL FVG, which focuses on mapping essential Digital Survival Skills aligned with the DigComp framework. WP2 identifies the competencies seniors need to manage daily online tasks—such as healthcare access and financial services—safely and independently. It also collects free, user-friendly digital tools available in each partner country (Spain, Italy, Poland, North Macedonia) and across the EU, promoting social inclusion and reducing loneliness.

Each partner has conducted secondary research and produced national reports, soon to be available on the project website. Together, these resources will form a digital repository to support targeted training and sustainable upskilling paths for seniors.

As the project moves forward, A Year Better continues to foster digital inclusion for older adults—ensuring they are confident, connected, and empowered in a digital society.

🔗 www.ayearbetter.eu