RATIONALE:According to World Tourism Organisation (WTO) news from 8th of April 2020, the world trade is expected to fall by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as the COVID 19 pandemic disrupts normal economic activity and life around the world. The economy must be relaunched as soon as the sanitary crisis will be stopped.As the coronavirus situation will gradually improve in Europe, tourism is expected to play a larger role in boosting consumption to help revive the economy. As the overseas travel have been suspended due to the pandemic, domestic rural tourism is expected to welcome more tourists, for people are chasing for a more healthy and natural lifestyle.The project will create the platform for a new era of the rural tourism, after COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as to exploit in village travel opportunities to conscious tourists by turning less-known places and rural areas into new routes of sustainable tourism, working tightly with the locals to revamp their traditions and cultural heritage and turning them into assets for socio-economic local development.OBJECTIVES:SMART VILLAGE Project intends to create a new educational curricula for upgrading until 2022 new digital basic skills and competences to more than 900 economic disadvantaged low-skilled and low-qualified senior adults impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, more exactly for persons living in deprived rural areas from at least 9 European local communities. The project will learn seniors how to create their own new business in villages by using innovative local cultural tourism opportunities based on social innovation best practices and circular economy principles. Our project can be a great opportunity for seniors to earn their own living in the economic crisis generated by the pandemic period, keep their mind engaged and challenged and stay active in the community.SMART VILLAGE project will produce new innovative teaching and learning approaches in the form of a research study and best practices collection, 4 multiple handbooks, a training kit, a videogame as tools for acquiring entrepreneurial competences in rural tourism. The project platform of resources and community will ensure direct impact on more than 900 adults learners (seniors) until 2022 who will increase their low digital skills and long term impact on more than 500 travel agencies and from Europe.TARGET GROUP: - seniors (50+), adult learners willing to work in the tourism chain sector from rural areas, the main considered marginalised (depopulated, isolated areas or with limited access to infrastructure: road transport networks, electricity and/or to telecommunications, including the Internet) or are included in marginalised populations, being people with low incomes, people at risk of poverty or social exclusion;- adult civil servants (+40) of the local public administration and private sector managers of SMEs from the rural villages.TRANSNATIONAL APPROACHEuropean added value lies in the fact that the actions under this initiative will address some crucial challenges such as improving the digital entrepreneurship skill in rural sustainable tourism at European level. The variety of countries the project partners represent ensures valuable input from all sides. By gathering 9 partners from 6 different countries, with expertise and different fields and knowledge areas, project aims to provide learning materials specifically developed to empower elderly to create business or to work in rural tourism sector in all countries of the EU.NEED:Rural tourism across Europe are undergoing big change. Whilst persistent challenges, such as depopulation and poor quality public services, and now the COVID-19 pandemy continue to put many rural communities under economic and social pressure, there are also new and exciting opportunities for rural residents. Opportunity arises from the key drivers of rural change in the 21st century, including the attraction of the tourists for the visitor’s experience related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle / culture, angling and sightseeing. This attraction is complemented by the impact of existing and emerging digital technologies on the tourist attitude and preference for the destinations promoting low-carbon and circular economies, the bioeconomy, new value chains, new patterns of mobility. Based on our previous research, review of literature and on the current situation due to pandemic crisis, seniors can play an important role in revival of the rural tourism, but they need to have upgraded competences and skills in:- the main principles of Smart Village concept;- social innovation business models in rural tourism;- circular business models (i.e. based on Flourishing Business Canvas; Inclusive Business Model);- digital research and promotion tools and management of online reservation system;- new sanitary and hygiene rules and conditions for accommodation and services.

ERBSN 4 H2020 is a 4-partner partnership covering Macroregion 2 (RO2) in Romania with the objective is to address the topic of H2020 Work Programme 2014-2015 ERBSN 4 H2020 «Establishing services for enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs in the Enterprise Europe Network». In this view ERBSN 4 H2020 will develop a viable macroregional network of 9 innovation experts, of which 3 Key Account Managers, all staff of 3 ERBSN-EEN centres, able to deliver the two innovation services proposed by H2020, namely „Key account management under SME Instrument of Horizon 2020” and „Services to enhance the innovation management capacities of SMEs” in the targeted Romanian Macroregion 2. The Key account management (KAM) services will be delivered to 4 SMEs benefiting of SMEs Instrument under H2020 and support them receiving the most appropriate services which will enhance the probability of a successful exploitation of their financed innovation projects over the first two SMEs Instrument phases, while posting them for further EEN services not covered financially by H2020, for phase 3. The services to enhance the innovation management capacities of SMEs with significant innovation activities and potential for international growth will be delivered to 55 SMEs, both identified under a thorough analysis of the RO2 innovative businesses, and among the unfinanced successful RO2 SMEs under the SMEs Instrument. To achieve its specific objective, ERBSN shall apply and extend a strategy of building its capacity for delivering H2020 services in the first months of implementation and apply KAM and EIMC imposed delivery procedures based on the deep knowledge of the Romanian business and innovation culture.

Digital technologies are quickly changing education and is bringing many opportunities for schools & training organisations, impacting what, where & how education is delivered. However, the adoption of these technologies remain slower than seen in other industries. One study by the European Commission (Survey of Schools: ICT in Education) found that only 25% of students in the European Union are taught by digitally confident and supportive teachers, while another study by the OECD found that 56% of teachers report that they have “moderate to high development needs” when it comes to using technology at work. In addition, teachers fail to appreciate the digital opportunities which exist and those which are due to open up in the near future. Building the digital skills of teachers & students is a vital step in actually benefiting from technology in education. Various teachers are ready to accept the wave of digitization but more effort still need to be exercised when it comes to teacher training. Outmoded teaching and training methods need to meet with 21st century teaching & learning trends. The IDEAL project aims to help educators, teachers & trainers in (in)formal adult education to understand & put digital education into practice. IDEAL will promote modern pedagogies, training methods & teaching practices, and develop learning materials and tools that support the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education & training. As a result, the project will promote digital literacy, skills & inclusion for both teachers & learners. The IDEAL project will be executed by a partnership of seven organisation from 6 different EU countries: - Enseña (ES), a training center for employment providing training services to contribute to the development and qualification of both workers & companies. - Eolas (ES), provides services & support to all enterprises, organisations & entities with demands in the field of the design & management of projects. - Inqubator Leeuwarden (NL), provides training & coaching to starting companies to firmly establish their business and to help them maximise their personal growth. - Expontential Training & Assessment (UK), is working with learners in over 50 countries undertaking professional development & qualifications in management & leadership, coaching & mentoring, business support & management consulting. - CrystalClearSoft (EL), expert in e-learning, develops its own learning tools ranging from e-learning platforms offering personalised learning environments, serious games, simulations, immersive environments etc. - North-East Regional Development Agency is authorized as provider of training & education by the National Authority for Qualification and carries out this activity under their North-East Regional Studies Center (CRS). - Eurocrea Merchant (IT) is a consulting & training company that aims to improve the competitiveness of the European society through business development, training & creation of transnational partnership. The project uses a clear, complete & high quality methodology, including the 3 phases: 1. Strategy (activities Preparation & Research) 2. Development, Implementation & Testing (activities Development & Alpha testing, and Implementation & Beta testing) 3. Review, Finalisation and Dissemination (activities Review & Finalisation, and Dissemination) What makes this project innovative is that the IDEAL project aims to provide a complete package of materials and tools which has been divided into steps that are built on a very logical succession and therefore form a whole. The following results will be developed in the IDEAL project: - IDEAL Campaign (IO1) to inform and convince educators, teachers and trainers involved in adult education about the opportunities and benefits of digital education - IDEAL Teacher Manual (IO2) describing step-by-step HOW digital tools and ICT can be implemented in their teaching practices and strategies - IDEAL Toolkit (IO3) that provides teachers, trainers and educators with a comprehensive toolkit that offers the best digital & modern tools to use and easily, quickly and directly implement in their course or training - IDEAL online platform (IO4) to make the materials easily accessible & free of charge The IDEAL project expects to have an impact on: - Teachers & learners in adult education as IDEAL will lead to professional development - Organisations involved in adult education (including the project partners), as through the project, organisations look at how digital technology can support the development of new training and teaching methods and improve the effectiveness and impact of courses. In addition, IDEAL will contribute to the development of modern & digital education focused on 21st century skills. It will also change the perceptions of the importance of digital skills. Finally it will also fight EU’s crisis of shortage of employees with digital skills.

ERBSN 4 H2020 is a 4-partner partnership covering Romanian Macroregion 2 (RO2) and which objective is to address the topic of H2020 - Work Programme 2017-2018. Out of the 4 partners, three are technically involved in delivering H2020 innovation services for SMEs, while the coordinator is involved to administratively deliver the project. With this view, ERBSN 4 H2020 operates a viable macroregional network of 9 innovation experts, of which 3 Key Account Managers, all staff of the 3 ERBSN-EEN centres, able to deliver the two innovation services proposed by H2020. The Key account management (KAM) services will be delivered for 3 SMEs expected to benefit of SMEs Instrument under H2020, and support them receiving the most appropriate services which will enhance the probability of a successful exploitation of their financed innovation projects, over the first two SMEs Instrument phases, while posting them for further EEN services not covered financially by H2020, for phase 3. The services to enhance the innovation management capacities of SMEs with significant innovation activities and potential for international growth will be delivered for 47 SMEs, identified under a thorough analysis of the RO2 innovative businesses, and among the SoE RO2 SMEs under the SMEs Instrument. In order to achieve the specific objectives, ERBSN shall build sinergies with the consortium's services under COSME, in order to stimulate innovation and facilitate SMEs access to H2020 innovation services and funding. Special actions have been proposed under 2017-2018 COSME activities.

“Innovation Management Agents in SMEs” (INMA) is based on 2 priorities of Europe 2020 Strategy about delivering growth that is smart, through more effective investments in education, research and innovation and inclusive with a strong emphasis on job creation. In line with the achievement of the above challenges, arises INMA project aiming to import and transfer to Turkey and to other European countries INMA training program, awarded for its quality by Spanish Ministry of Education and Science 2007.INMA proposes the update, enhancement, and transference to Turkey, Italy, Portugal, and Romania of the following “Innovation Manager” training products-materials-tools, to address identified needs in above countries regarding employment, education, and innovation:• INMA Occupational Profile including areas of knowledge, competencies, responsibilities, and functions within the enterprise. • INMA Training PACK (training modules and materials, ICT training tool, Virtual Community) focused on 5 knowledge areas: New Technologies, Strategic Management, Knowledge Management, People Management and Corporate Social Responsibility.To ensure effective implementation of INMA training tools and materials, these have been translated and adapted to the national contexts of recipient countries and tested through the INMA blended learning training course. INMA training program has been adjusted so that it responds to recipient countries labour market demands. The project includes the development of a work-based INMA internship program, to allow students apply INMA learned knowledge in real business environments. INMA curriculum has been formalized and aligned with ECVET system to facilitate its incorporation to national VET systems in recipient countries.INMA project addresses following needs identified in recipient countries: -SMEs represent the 90% of the European enterprises, with low capacity to maintain an innovation and development internal department, so that innovation gets slowly into these organizations, making their competitiveness difficult. INMA profile is meant to work externally –integrated in a network of other innovation managers- for several SMEs (reducing the cost of a Knowledge Europe for each enterprise), being a link between university and enterprises.-Innovation and ICT sector is mostly occupied by men, being women representation very low. With the present profile update, adjustment to new European national contexts, and its transference, we expect to turn it around, placing Innovation at the same level as the knowledge and exchange and not only to ICTs.ACHIEVED RESULTS:-Create employment for qualified unemployed, especially women.-Increase women participation in ICT sector.- Provide affordable solutions to European SMEs innovation needs/challenges, increasing SMEs innovation implementation.-Equip greater number of VET providers, at European level, with effective and updated comprehensive training materials and tools.- Provide recipient countries with a training program for the development of Innovation Management competences matching the requirements of the future labor market. TARGET GROUP:-Unemployed with academic qualification-Unemployed women with academic qualification returning to labor market -People holding job positions below their qualification level seeking a professional promotion.-SMEs-Training organizations/ VET centers-Business associations and entrepreneurs networks within the innovation sector.-Policy makers and Government bodies with competences in labor, training and innovation areas (Local administrations, local development agencies, guidance organizations). ACTIVITIES:-Transfer Workshop to deliver INMA profile, training pack and materials to experts/ VET providers from partner countries.-Synthesis and analysis of the innovation needs/challenges of European SMEs.-Adjustment and update of the INMA occupational profile and training pack to partner countries’ national contexts and languages.-ICT Training tool upgrade/ transfer supported by the 2.0 Social Community-Creation of the national/European network of universities, businesses, SMEs, government employment and education representatives, VET providers, etc. fostering their participation in INMA Virtual Community. -Training pack testing through blended learning pilot in recipient countries.-INMA internship program development-Design and promotion of Innovation manager ECVET Curriculum-Evaluation, Dissemination and exploitation of the project and its resultsINMA training platform: http://documenta.es/web/moodle/course/index.php?categoryid=3 Login:gulcePassword:gulce2018INMA virtual community: http://www.documenta.es/web/community-inma/All project results at GOOGLEDRIVE:https://www.google.com/drive/ Email:project.inma@gmail.comPass: inma1517PARTNERSHIP: Promoter Çankırı Karatekin University(TR),Partners-Çankırı Civil Society Association(TR), Documenta(ES),ISQ (PT),E.RI.FO.(IT), SMRDA-Muntenia(RO)