FROM SCHOOL TO EU

<< Background >>The project–coordinated by Liceo “Leonardo Da Vinci”(IT), with OGEC “Françoise Cabrini” of Noisy-le-Grand (FR) ,IES Etxebarri BHI of Etxebarri (ES) and garagErasmus (BE)– aimed at making school programs more inclusive and able to provide the tools to face the challenges of contemporary society. It also intended to improve access to education and implement measures to guide students throughout their academic careers. We wanted to promote the opportunity of participating in democratic life, boosting EU citizenship through the debate with peers and experts on crucial issues Europe is facing, with a bottom-up approach. All this was made possible thanks to the adoption of strategies to help students complete their path and obtain progress in their basic skills, first of all in public speaking and intercultural communication. Moreover, we really aimed at stimulating new teaching methods and international strategies in our schools, hoping that this first project could be a launching pad for innovative teaching methods. To achieve these objectives, the collaboration between the three schools and garagErasmus ASBL was essential to promote the development of modular study programs, recognizing the acquired skills with micro-credentials.<< Objectives >>Implementing the project aimed to:-Boost digital skills and key competences through non-formal education, focusing on both teachers and pupils, utilising online platforms (virtual rooms).-Recognize acquired skills by issuing microcredentials.-Enhance peer-to-peer activities, fostering key competences through zero-waste initiatives, promoting leadership and collaborative decision-making.-Participate in democratic life, encouraging EU citizenship through debates with peers and experts on crucial European and local issues, adopting a grassroots, bottom-up approach.-Stimulate tolerance, inclusion, and social skills among young generations through a participative, inclusive, non-discriminatory project that encourages intercultural dialogue.-Provide networking opportunities by sharing results on platforms like E-Twinning, School Education Gateway, and, if still active, the together.eu platform.-Stimulate new teaching methods and internationalisation strategies in schools, aspiring for this initial project to be a catalyst for innovative teaching methods and the development of a proper internationalisation strategy.<< Implementation >>The following activities were implemented:-Preparation and kick-off meeting: held in Arzignano established coordination, finalised webpage, and set basic principles. gE designed visual elements. -Selection of EU ambassadors:. Open calls engaged students, ensuring comprehensive teacher training and active student involvement.-EU virtual rooms: Activities included 5 plenary virtual meetings, negotiations, expert sessions, and final proposal preparation. -Presentation of outcomes: A blended event showcased virtual room outcomes. Each group involved ambassadors from all three schools, aiming to enhance skills, promote EU values, and provide tangible recognition through micro-credentials.-Vote of best EU proposals: involved an appointed jury and an online voting process. gE provided video creation guidelines, and a significant online engagement campaign exceeded expectations.-Study trip to brussels: the winning group presented sustainability proposals to MEP Moretti, engaged in workshops, and visited EU institutions. -Communication and dissemination: Social media, notably Instagram, played a pivotal role, showcasing exceptional engagement for voting videos.<< Results >>The kick-off meeting (Nov 2022) in Arzignano established crucial project principles, with representatives from partners outlining responsibilities. The selection of EU Ambassadors involved 59 students, providing essential training for teachers and marking the project's inception. EU Virtual Rooms engaged the EU Ambassadors across five sessions, producing tangible outcomes, and counting the presence of three experts. The presentation of EU Proposals on Europe's Day involved 20 speakers, reaching a broad audience of families and stakeholders including the Mayor of Arzignano. The Vote of Best EU Proposals surpassed expectations on social media, accumulating 2500+ likes and 17,500 views. The study trip to Brussels (Nov 2023) involved 19 students and 26 teachers, enhancing intercultural understanding. Communication efforts effectively disseminated project messages, with outstanding engagement on social media and publications on local press.