As part of the “Cohesion Policy Stands by you!” information campaign, Aspon Consulting (CY), Alpha Cyprus (CY), Innovation Hive (GR), and GEInnova (ES) have launched a new scenario-based gamified learning experience called “Cohesion Island“. The game aims to educate youth and the public about the Cohesion Policy of the European Union and its role in improving the lives of all EU citizens.

In “Cohesion Island” players take on the role of governor  of Cohesion Island, one of the largest islands of Artea, an imaginary country in the European continent and a member of the EU. They face various challenges which require them to take decisions that will effectively solve the various problems and thus improve the level of well-being of their constituents. Players have access to the city budget for investments, and certain investments may be eligible for co-funding from Cohesion Policy funds. The game also includes a city library, which provides players with useful readings and real examples related to the Cohesion Policy to help them make informed decisions during the game, which are in line with Cohesion Policy’s objectives.

“We believe that ‘Cohesion Island’ is a unique and fun way to educate youth and the public about the Cohesion Policy,” said a spokesperson for the project. “By putting players in the role of a mayor/governor, we hope to provide an interactive learning experience that will familiarize players with the different Cohesion Policy funds and how they are utilized to achieve the policy objectives across the EU. We also want to show how Cohesion Policy funds have a real impact on people’s daily lives.“

The objectives of the game are to provide an overview of EU Cohesion Policy, make participants aware of the different Cohesion Policy funds and how they are utilized to achieve the policy objectives across the EU, make participants acquire a deeper understanding of how Cohesion Policy funds have an impact on their daily life, and familiarize players with examples of real projects implemented through Cohesion Policy funds.

“Cohesion Island” is available to play now through this link: https://cohesionisland.eu/ 

For more information about the game and the “Cohesion Policy Stands by you!” project, please visit the project’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. 

GEINNOVA organised through the SCALE funded Erasmus+ project a piloting activity at the ‘Colegio San Vicente de Paúl’ on 15/03/2023. The activity plan was developed and implemented by Geinnova’s staff, consisting of Micol Petrone, Michela Orrù and Alessandro Marconi. The target group was a class of 20 students aged around 12, supported by their English teacher Carmen Pinilla.

The program of activities was developed by combining the principles of ACLs and the theme of climate change. Applied Creativity Labs (ACLs) equip children and young people with the creative behaviors and thinking skills needed in order to develop innovative solutions to real world challenges. Young people are presented with an overview of a real world ‘challenge’ (ie. Climate change) and then receive bespoke creativity training, which builds their creative capacity to generate solutions.

Creative skills are essential for life, learning and future work: they are highly valued by employers and international organizations such as the World Economic Forum, as they develop positive attitudes, flexibility and openness to new challenges. Additional employability skills are developed such as teamwork, communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving. These skills enable young people to be successful in their learning and future careers.

During the ACL implementation in SPAIN, Geinnova’s team worked with young students aged 12 starting with an icebreaker activity called “bish, bosh, what are you doing?”

Then, GEINNOVA staff showed a presentation on climate change, its effects and consequences; supplemented by an overview of ACLs methodologies. The games supplied as ACLs activity combined to the climate change topic were:

– Quiz about climate change

– If climate change was an animal

– If climate change’s solution was an animal

– I don’t like your idea

– Recycling

The recycling activity consisted of using empty plastic bottles in order to create plant pots. To stimulate students’ creativity, they were also provided with materials to decorate the pots. The plants chosen to be grown were lentils, grown in cotton balls. The choice is justified by the fact that these seedlings will need daily care, so as to empower the students.

The main objective of ACLs is the creative problem-solving process, following some steps: 

– Clarify the task

– Think divergently

– Choose an idea

– Think convergently

– Do it in practice

– Refine and improve

– Present

– Review the process

Students embraced the project and activities with enthusiasm, actively participating and practicing the methodologies administered. The result was a good 3-hour lesson on climate change, which allowed the class to think actively and critically about the topic.

The second round of the Erasmus+ 2021 call for proposals is now available.

It has become common practice for the Erasmus+ call for proposals to be available in two waves. If the first Erasmus+ application deadline for 2021 was set for 11 May, leaving many applications behind, you can now have access to more opportunities for Erasmus+ proposals and access to EU funding as the second round is available, with a deadline of 3 November 2021.

For 2021, the first round was long-awaited by all organisations involved in EU funding after unexpected delays for its publication.

At the moment, round 2 of the Erasmus+ 2021 call for proposals is open for the following KA2 projects, until 3 November 2021 (12h CET).

1. Small-scale partnerships in adult education (KA210-ADU)
2. Small-scale partnerships in school education (KA210-SCH)
3. Small-scale partnerships in vocational education and training (KA210-VET)
4. Small-scale youth partnerships (KA210-YOU)
5. Youth Cooperation Partnerships (KA220-YOU)

Any public or private organisation established in a programme country can apply for an Erasmus+ call. In fact, these are open to any type of organization active in any field of education, training, youth, sport or other socio-economic sectors, as well as to organizations that carry out transversal activities in the different fields.

If you are interested in Erasmus+ 2021, you can contact us or consult your National Agency (NA).

If you want to take a look at the Erasmus+ Programme Guide, you can find it here.

For any questions, do not hesitate to contact our team!