SMILE – Supporting Mobility and Internationalization for Learning and Engagement in Somali HEIs
Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE)
The SMILE project, implemented by an eight-member international consortium (from Somalia, Greece, Türkiye, Belgium, and Cyprus), aims to connect Somali Higher Education Institutions with the global academic community through three core pillars:
- Academic Mobility: Expanding access to international exchange programs for Somali students and university staff.
- Inclusive Access: Creating higher education opportunities for marginalised groups, including IDPs and female students.
- Global Partnerships: Building strong institutional ties between Somali universities and European academic networks.
Available Resource: Co-Creation Workshop Report
This report outlines the results of the SMILE co-creation workshop (Work Package 2), where Somali and European partners jointly assessed the challenges, priorities, and training needs for internationalising Somali HEIs across 5 focus areas: Academic Collaboration, Staff Mobility, Virtual Mobility, Inclusion Strategies, and Private Sector Engagement.
A YEAR BETTER – Empowering Seniors for Enhanced Digital Skills, Inclusion, and Wellbeing
Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Adult Education
A YEAR BETTER (AYB) is a seven-partner European project (Spain, Poland, France, Italy, North Macedonia, Belgium) designed to promote active ageing and bridge the digital divide for older adults.
Key Highlights:
- Empowering Seniors: Helps ICT low-skilled adults independently use online tools for healthcare, finances, and social connection.
- DigComp Framework: Maps “Digital Survival Skills” and offers a repository of digital solutions to combat loneliness.
- OER Platform: A free educational hub providing online and offline training in six languages.
Available Resource: Mapping Digital Survival Skills against Digcomp and Digital Solutions available to Escape Dejection and Loneliness
This report evaluates digital literacy among seniors (55+) across five European countries, highlighting how income, geography, and age impact their ability to use technology to avoid loneliness. While digital access is growing—driven by family communication and essential services—seniors still face significant psychological, technological, and safety barriers. Aligning with the DigComp 2.2 framework, the study calls for personalised, intergenerational training and user-centered design tailored to diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, promoting these “digital survival skills” is presented as a societal imperative for equity, active ageing, and democratic resilience.
Available Resource: Online Banking 101: “Your bank available 24h/24”
This introductory course helps understand how to use online banking safely and independently. Learners will learn how to access their account securely, manage payments and transfers, use key features and protect their data. No prior experience is needed, just a device, and a connection.
SOS Creativity – Seniors online security for creativity– Completed
Erasmus+ Partnerships for Creativity in Adult Education
The S.O.S. Creativity project, implemented by an eight-member international consortium (from Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, and North Macedonia), empowers older adults (65+) to safely navigate the internet and access online cultural resources without falling victim to cyber threats. While digital platforms offer rich artistic contents, seniors are disproportionately vulnerable to online risks like phishing, scams, and fake news. By providing non-formal IT training aligned with EU inclusion priorities, the project boosts digital awareness, prevents social exclusion, and helps seniors confidently exploit online culture and creativity.
Available Resource: Mapping of cultural and creative resources and digital skills and SOS self-assessment tool development
This report provides a panoramic mapping of the digital skills and competences required for older adults (“late digitals”) to safely navigate and enjoy free online cultural resources.
Based on exploratory desk research conducted across five European countries (Spain, Italy, France, Poland, and North Macedonia), the document evaluates the digital gap among ICT-low-skilled adults and identifies relevant social trends, existing adult education curricula, and national best practices. By pinpointing existing and missing digital competences, this baseline analysis serves as a practical roadmap to guide and optimise targeted educational strategies and training for seniors.
Available Resource: What is GDPR?
This training module introduces the GDPR and its scale, helping learners understand their fundamental digital rights, including the “right to be forgotten”. It practicalises online privacy by explaining what cookies and website disclaimers are, as well as why they exist. Finally, participants learn how to distinguish between harmful and harmless cookies, enabling them to navigate terms, conditions, and personal data security with greater confidence.
Available Resource: Guidelines for future training
These guidelines provide a practical and pedagogical roadmap for Adult Education teachers and operators to train “late digitals” on safely accessing online cultural resources while navigating internet and social media risks. Developed from testing and validation activities, they cover organisational, educational, and content-related strategies to ensure easy transferability. Ultimately, they serve as an actionable tool to help elderly centres and community organisations successfully implement and sustain S.O.S. Creativity training courses.
EYES – Enlarging Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit–Completed
Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Vocational Education and Training
The EYES project imblementedy by a consortium of six partner organisations from France, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, and Bulgaria strengthens vocational education and training (VET) by equipping trainers with innovative methods to foster entrepreneurship, democratic values, and active participation among young people.
The project focused on three key priorities:
- Innovative VET Practices: Supporting trainers in modernising their teaching methods and adopting learner-centred approaches.
- Promote the development of a collective entrepreneurial culture: Empowering young people to assess their entrepreneurial potential, create and manage collective enterprises, and develop a strong sense of initiative.
- Democratic Values & Teamwork: Promoting active citizenship, cooperation, and a better understanding of business realities through teamwork and the implementation of local entrepreneurial projects.
Available Resource: Global Report on Best Practices in Entrepreneurship Education
This report presents the findings of a comparative study carried out across six European countries to identify innovative approaches to entrepreneurship education for young people. Bringing together 42 good practices, case studies, and successful initiatives, the report highlights effective methods to foster entrepreneurial skills, employability, and active participation. Its recommendations provide the foundation for the development of the EYES training programme, ensuring it responds to the real needs of young people, VET professionals, and educators.
Available Resource: Methodological Guide for Trainers
The Methodological Guide for Trainers is a practical resource designed to support VET professionals, teachers, and trainers in delivering the EYES training programme. Based on cooperative learning and collective entrepreneurship, it provides methodologies, tools, and step-by-step guidance to engage vulnerable young people in entrepreneurial projects. The guide also presents the EYES training framework, local implementation strategies, and best practices gathered from partner countries to help foster initiative, teamwork, and employability skills.
Building Learning Opportunities to Support Small Organisations for Multiculturalism– Completed
Erasmus+ Small-scale partnerships in adult education
The BLOSSOM project was coordinated by the Katabba Cultural Association (Italy) in partnership with the European Society for Socio Economic Integration (ESSEI, Belgium). The project was created to strengthen the international capacity of small cultural organisations, particularly those operating in remote areas, by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to participate in European cooperation initiatives and Erasmus+ opportunities.
The project focused on three key priorities:
- Capacity Building for Small Cultural Organisations: Enhancing the organisational and operational skills of local cultural associations, enabling them to overcome geographical barriers and actively engage in European networks and transnational projects.
- Internationalisation & Strategic Development: Supporting the creation of practical resources, including an operational manual for small cultural organisations and a tailored internationalisation strategy to guide long-term European cooperation.
- Erasmus+ Skills & European Cooperation: Increasing participants’ understanding of the Erasmus+ programme through online training, study visits, mentoring activities, and the exchange of good practices, empowering organisations to develop and manage international partnerships and projects.
Available Resource: Operational handbook for small cultural associations
One of the main outcomes of the BLOSSOM project is the Handbook for Small Cultural Organisations, a practical guide designed to help organisations with little or no experience in Erasmus+ access European funding opportunities. The handbook introduces the fundamentals of the Erasmus+ programme, explains the key steps involved in preparing a successful project proposal, and provides practical guidance to overcome common barriers such as limited knowledge of funding rules and project management procedures. By supporting organisations in developing their international dimension, the handbook encourages small cultural associations to transform their ideas into successful European cooperation projects.
Available Resource: Katabba Internationalisation Plan
The Katabba Internationalisation Plan, provides a strategic framework to help small cultural organisations expand their activities beyond the local level and build a sustainable European dimension. Based on organisational self-assessment, SWOT analysis, and SMART objectives, the plan defines a clear roadmap for strengthening international partnerships, increasing participation in Erasmus+ projects, promoting sustainable cultural initiatives, and enhancing the association’s visibility and outreach. By combining long-term strategic planning with practical actions, the resource supports small organisations in turning their local cultural heritage into opportunities for international cooperation and growth.