"<< Objectives >>Project main objective, is development, implementation and promotion of the Activity- based educational concept for secondary school students in tackling of environmental challenges that communities in regions of Pazardzhik - Bulgaria, Kochani – North Macedonia and Larissa - Greece are facing. The project offers an interdisciplinary educational approach suitable for any topics from community interest, with high transferability potential for implementation in any educational institution.<< Implementation >>The following activities will be implemented in the frame of the project lifetime:1. Project Management and Implementation activities 2. 3 Trainings events, 1 long-term Teaching/learning event and 1 blended mobility event3. 3 Executive/Operational meetings & working sessions4. Activities related with creation of 4 Project Intellectual Outputs/Results 5. Communication/Promotion activities<< Results >>Expected project's outcomes/results are:- Four IOs created- Successfully implemented ""Activity-based"" educational concept in three secondary schools- Established teachers network on eTwinning platform (with min 42 STEM teachers from 3 secondary schools)- Minimum 72 students with increased skills for team work, implementation of critical thinking as well as a competences in successful performance of researching and finding the best solutions on environmental challenges from community interest"

"Main idea of the project is to create innovative pedagogical and teaching methods which will be based on digital technologies. The aim of our idea is to learn and encourage educators/teachers and students to collaborate and use technology in a creative and effective way. In present education systems in most of the EU countries, it is becoming very challenging for teachers to motivate students to learn the material presented in the classroom. Surveys made in the project partners secondary schools, in the phase of project idea development, just prove the well-known fact that students easily ""get bored"" by the academic content presented in formal education process. Traditional teaching methods are focused on providing facts; however, having access to and consuming a lot of information isn’t learning. Being informed isn’t the same as being educated. Virtual Reality (VR) can motivate students towards academic achievement. By using of VR technology, teachers can attract the attention of students to developed VR education material and make studying process exciting and more effective. VR is on the doorstep of education, and without a doubt, it’ll change the world as we know it. New school classrooms will be technologically advanced places of learning, with VR technology, that will allow significantly increasing of students’ engagement and learning. The present limits can be notified in the lack of necessary IT equipment, as well as lack of teachers skills in ability of the underlying technology to customise the material on such way that it can be easier to implement VR material as a part of the class curriculum. Main project objectives are to improve quality and attractiveness of education process in regions of Municipalities of Ludbreg, Croatia, Kocani, N. Macedonia, Limassol, Cyprus and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria by development and implementation of innovative VR based learning methodology; to increase secondary schools teachers’ and students' competences and skills in using of online available VR educational contents in everyday classes; to establish strategic partnership among different socio-economic types of organisations for increasing of quality level of education with implementing of the best practices and development of innovative education methods.The specific objectives of the planned activities will be: to develop own innovative ICT - based educational module with utilisation of VR technology; to improve students achievements in school subjects with help of VR educational technology; to improve students teamwork skills through the transnational competitive event in the frame of long-term teaching assignment; to establish transnational teacher's network by using of eTwinning networking modules and to create of a strategic Action plan for transnational cooperation in the field of education.Partnership include different types of organizations: Local government of Ludbreg (CRO), four secondary schools (Ludbreg, Pazardzik, Kocani and Limassol), two NGOs LAG Kocani (MK), and CSEG(BG) and SMEs (CRO and CYPRUS).Local public bodies and NGOs will prepare a document for development of strategic transnational partnership among local public bodies, schools and NGOs from four municipalities (Ludbreg, Kochani, Pazardzik and Limassol) for development of educational process by using of innovative ICT based methods and best practices. Teachers from schools will be trained for for using of and completing of the tasks for newly developed VR education module; also a number of students (436) in testing the education methods and to actually follow the course in full shape and content.Trainers (SME) will have responsibility to deal with preparation of education module and materials (Guidelines); NGOs will take over dissemination of project results, organisation and realisation of events and realisation of trainings.The main activities foreseen in the frame of the project are: management and coordination of the project; transnational meetings; theoretical and practical short term training events, long-term teaching assignments and short term exchange of groups of pupils; development of the intellectual outputs (Strategic document, Guidelines and education module); development and maintenance of project web-site; organisation of media publications and press releases for the project activities and results; preparation of presentations for final dissemination events.With realisation of project activities and dissemination of project results in front of local and national authorities that are dealing with education, project partners are expecting that impact of this project will be very positive and will lead to significant further efforts for increasing of implementation of ICT - based educational approaches in education process, as well as increasing of attention of authorities on possibility for “moving of” education activities beyond the classroom borders."

"<< Background >>The main project aims is to support awareness-raising about environmental and climate-change challenges. The planned activities will support the testing of innovative practices (educational approach based on Virtual Reality software) to prepare students and school teachers to become true factors of change. New educational approach will meet the needs of school students (12th to 14th years age) to increase their overall acknowledgement about tackling of the Climate change phenomenon and to inspire them to take a real actions in „real life“ (e.g. saving resources, reduce energy use and waste, compensate carbon footprint emissions, increasing use of renewable energy sources, environment friendly transportation, etc. Teachers will accomplish skills and competencies about environment protection and together with pupils will become true factors of change.Climate Change phenomenon is the biggest reason why /for the first time in the human history/ the Doomsday clock is set on 100 seconds to midnight /a moment when the nonrecoverable process of destroying of our only planet will be reached/.Performed Surveys, for rang of introduction of Climate Change in education process, shows that besides this issue is addressed in formal education, traditional educational methods which are used for teaching of this topic offers mainly basic theoretical acknowledgement, usually with old facts.Using of VR in education process is advanced education approach, which multiple times is overcoming the potential of traditional educational methods, and education systems must accept and accommodate on this fact. Recent decreasing of the prices of necessary Virtual Reality equipment (for example a high quality VR headset that is using mobile phones for presenting of VR contents are with prices of around 50-60 Euros) makes this innovative educational approach acceptable to many educational institution on primary as well as on secondary level. With stimulation of teachers to accept the new methodology and with appropriated training programs in increasing of their skills and competences in using VR equipment and VR education software, all necessary pre-requests will be met.<< Objectives >>The project's main objectives are focused on: developing Climate Change tackling strategies and educational methodologies based on VR orientated education curricula that better meet the needs of schools' teachers and students; improving quality and attractiveness of the education process in regions of Velenje (Slovenia), Syros (Greece), Ludbreg (Croatia) and Kocani (North Macedonia) by development and implementation of innovative VR based learning methodology; increasing of teachers’ and students' competences and skills in using of online available VR educational contents in everyday classes and establishing of transnational strategic partnership among different types of organizations (Local public bodies, NGOs, SMEs, Education institutions) for increasing of quality level of education by development of innovative education methodsProject have a Specific objectives: to develop own innovative Climate Change orientated VR - based educational software with utilisation of ""state of the art"" VR technology; to improve students' interest and achievements in STEM school subjects with help of VR educational technology; to improve students skills in ""learning by doing"" educational approaches through transnational competitive event in the frame of long-term teaching assignment; to improve students presentation skills (for the best students from four schools); to establish transnational teacher's network by using of eTwinning networking module and to create of a strategic Document that will include an Action plan with developed realistic actions/projects for the future transnational cooperation in the field of education;In the frame of project we will strengthen skills and capacities of teachers and students in primary schools to take problem of climate changes seriously and to foreseen some concrete actions to prevent it and mitigate effectively. Through the project we will promote environmental education and motivate teachers and students to behave in sustainable manner. Also, the project will support project partners schools' teachers in developing innovative teaching and assessment methodology. The school teachers will be trained in using of the Virtual Reality equipment and Virtual Reality-based educational software in their everyday lessons. In addition to this, project partners would like to emphasis that in the frame of joint staff training events teachers will work with Trainers/experts to develop own educational approach to implement Open Educational Resources (web 2.0 tools), as well as a free online available Virtual Reality based educational software in their everyday school lessons, and not just to be passive observers on training events. This will significantly increase teachers skills and competences in implementation of ICT based educational methods in their future teaching process. Planned teachers' training in using of eTwinning networking module will allow future cooperation with their colleagues abroad and exchange of good practices. that will lead to increased capacity for development of new and more efficient educational approaches.<< Implementation >>- Development of an innovative ICT-based educational approach to increase student interest using Virtual Reality (free online virtual reality software and completely newly designed and created educational software related to climate change challenge and developed in Virtual Reality) that will enable students to understand adaptation strategies and climate change mitigation with a significant increase in their digital competencies.- Short-term training events for school teachers on how to use virtual reality equipment and educational software based on virtual reality in their daily lessons.- Long term teaching/learning assignment for students in primary school in using OER and VR-based educational software- Organization of transnational project meetings for project management and monitoring and evaluation of the realized project activities. - Organization of multiplier events<< Results >>Following Concrete project results are expected: Development and adoption of three Project Results; 16 school teachers with increased skills and competencies for using VR technology; Established transnational teachers network (min 56 teachers) by using of eTwinning networking module; min 400 children from four schools with increased competences and skills for using VR technology in the learning process; as well as with increased acknowledgment for tackling of Climate Change phenomenon; created Project web site with best practices from project activities and with included (free for downloading) materials and created IOs that will be at disposal for teachers from other schools aS well as for any other interested stakeholders on local, regional, national level.In addition, to above mentioned, a minimum of 160 local relevant stakeholders will become familiar with advantages that new developed educational approach is offering versus traditional teaching methods /participants on each of the National multiplier events in Greece, Croatia, and North Macedonia as well as on the Final Project Conference / National multiplier event / in Slovenia). The project will not have an impact only on present schools' students, but with trained teachers, and developed VR-based education approach, will ensure that also thousands of students in the next generations will have the opportunity to be educated by using the innovative approach based on VR, for better understanding of Climate Change related topics in school subjects."

Significant percentage of the daily created amount of solid waste can be reused with very low efforts, but unfortunately it continues to damage our environment. This is why necessity of urgent actions in the sphere of waste selection and recycling are key precondition to ensure long life of our planet.The children in kindergartens were ideal target group to be presented a way how we can reduce our carbon footprint on the Earth and help our fragile environment. The project teached young children about the ecological challenges facing the world today and showed them how, through a recycling and waste management project, they can help address these challenges by composting food waste that was used to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers in their schools’ gardens. Implementation of the project activities led to establishing of the strategic partnership between different type of organizations (local public bodies, kindergartens and civil sector) gathered together to give their contribution for enhancing the quality of early childhood education.Following the new trends of pre-school education and good practices, and also the available technologies, it appeared that the best approach was LEARNING BY DOING when they can DO IT by themselves. The main aim of this project was to develop age appropriate framework to teach pre-school children about reusing and recycling much of the waste they daily produce and improving the quality of work. This was realized by increasing of the kindergarten’s teachers competences and skills for development of own approach to importance of waste selection and recycling, as essential concept for assisting them to encourage the pre-school children to undertake their own pilot projects especially in using and promoting of composting and production of eco-products.Partnership of the project included different types of organizations: local government of Ludbreg (CRO), public utility Vodovod (MK), three kindergartens - Radost (CRO), Pavlina Veljanova (MK) and Radost (BG), one SME Lucera (CRO) and two NGO - LAG (MK) and CSEG(BG). Local public bodies, SME Lucera and NGOs prepared document for development of strategic transnational partnership among local public bodies, SME, kindergartens and NGOs from three municipalities (Ludbreg, Kochani and Pazardzik) for increasing of quality of pre-school education.Pre-school teachers were trained for implementation of waste selection and recycling and learning by doing methods for composting procedure and establishing of eco-gardens and they were working with pre-school children on practical tasks. Trainers had responsibility to deal with preparation of education materials (Handbook) for theoretical and practical education on using of OER, waste selection and recycling with composting; NGOs carried out dissemination of the project results, organization and realization of the events, realization of trainings and establishment of project’s web page.The main activities foreseen in the frame of the project were following: management and coordination of the project; transnational meetings (3); theoretical and practical short term joint staff training events (3); development and printing of the intellectual outputs (Strategic document and Handbook) development and maintenance of the project web-site; preparation of brochure, leaflet and fact sheets for the project activities; organization of media publications and press releases for the project activities and results; preparation of presentations for final dissemination events.Foreseen methodology which was used on the teacher’s trainings was a mix of theoretical and practical approach. Participants were given the theoretical information required to effectively create and implement their own teaching solution in their classes, with aim to increase knowledge of pre-school children. Also teachers were trained to get familiar with composting technology, its advantages, real “on site” implementation in Eco-gardens and analysis of results.The main impact, aim of the project, was to promote new learning approaches and networking as a great opportunity for more efficient pre-school education. Cooperation among teachers and among other authorities and responsible persons for education, with potential implementation of good practices in pre-school education, by realization of planned activities in developed document for strategic partnership, was desired long-term impact from the project.

"There is a growing interest nowadays of using immersive technologies to promote Cultural Heritage, to engage and educate visitors, tourists and citizens. Digital heritage (DH) is the use of digital media in the service of preserving cultural or natural heritage. The main aim of digitization of cultural heritage is to enable the permanent access to specific cultural achievements (from three targeted regions in Croatia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia) starting from historical objects, paintings and/or traditional craftsmanship, up to local/regional traditional folklore music and/or dances to any interested person, regardless of his/her location on the world map.Project main objectives are: Development of innovative educational approach with introducing of Digital Heritage in education process by using of 360-degrees videos; Establishing of a teachers network for transnational cooperation by using of eTwinning networking module; and promotion of advantages of long-term transnational strategic partnership among different type of organization in development of innovative educational methodologies.Project specific objectives are:- increased teachers' skills and competences in using of innovative ""state of the art"" VR technology /360-degrees videos/ in the educational process, with educational approach that will lead to reinforced creativity in education.- creating of Digital Heritage 360-degrees videos enhanced by animated 3D elements for promotion of cultural heritage in targeted regions in Croatia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia (min 9 - 3 per each country)- increasing of students interest and overall acknowledgement about importance of Cultural Heritage preservation- enhancing students skills development and reinforcing of their creative potential;- improving of students presentation skills (for the best students from three schools)- establishing of transnational teacher's network by using of eTwinning networking module.- creation of a strategic Action plan with developed realistic actions/projects for the future transnational cooperation in the field of education;- to present in front of the relevant stakeholders on local regional and national level an advantages of new developed ""learning by doing"" Digital Heritage-based educational method e.g. use of the high level ICT technology in Cultural Heritage preservation.The partnership necessary for the successful realization of the project activities is consisted from 6 partners from three European countries (One NGO and one primary school from Croatia, North Macedonia and Bulgaria).Project Partners have determined as the best approach a combination of following activities: 3 transnational project meetings, 3 short-term joint staff training events, 1 short term mobility of groups of pupils, development of 3 Intellectual outputs and 3 multiplier events /one in each of three countries/. Main target groups, as well as direct beneficiaries, are students on the age of 12 to 14th years old as well as a school teachers that are teaching school subjects related with the History, the Art and Music education from three schools from targeted regions. As indirect beneficiaries can be determined educational institutions that will get a more attractive educational process with highly competent teachers ready to implement new educational approaches, and an overall society that will get an important preserved data about the cultural heritage from the targeted regions.School Teachers that are teaching the History, the Art and Music education will got increased competences and skills for practical implementation of new education approaches by using of VR, will become familiar with using of the eTwinning module for networking with their colleagues from other European countries to share the best practices. In addition they will got increased skills for practical implementation of ""activity-based"" education methods, which will lead to significant and effective improvement of the formal and non-formal schools' education programs, for present and future generations of students in their schools.Long-term impact for the three targeted regions can be seen by improved quality of their school education process for which they are very much interested in. Project activities will lead to increasing of the attractiveness of education process in primary schools, will improve their services, quality of teaching of future generations of students in their schools, will establish cooperation with other schools from other countries.Project partners expect that with dissemination of project results through ERASMUS+ program network, by presenting of project achievements as good practices through eTwinning platform and You Tube, positive impact will also be made on the EU and larger international level, especially in maximizing the impact of Erasmus+ program in the field of cultural heritage education and encouraging greater awareness of Europe’s rich cultural heritage in schools"