No one is left behind!

"<< Background >>""No One Stays Behind"" (NSB) was developed in response to challenges facing Vocational Education and Training (VET), namely the issue of early school dropout, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. It focused on supporting students, especially those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds and NEETs, who often face additional challenges related to low motivation and lack of academic interest, aspects that have a huge impact on their academic success. Therefore, NSB's central theme is the inclusion and recovery of learning, based on the application of the STEAM methodology (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and the use of digital tools. We understand the importance of creating innovative and inclusive educational environments, which value the skills and potential of all students, promoting equity of opportunities, “leaving no one behind”. Based on this premise, this partnership aimed to promote cooperation and exchange of knowledge between institutions from different countries, seeking to improve the quality of education, proposing various learning activities, non-formal and informal, with the purpose of achieving this objective.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the ""No One Stays Behind"" project was to reduce early school leaving by enhancing students' motivation through non-formal and informal learning, particularly those in disadvantaged socio-economic contexts. The project aimed to improve VET students' engagement by offering innovative learning tools such as the STEAM-based Summer School, mentorship programs, and digital resources. Through these activities, the project sought to empower students with critical thinking, digital skills, and vocational training, aligning with European priorities for inclusion, equity, digital transition, and education for sustainability and the development of skills for the 21st century.<< Implementation >>The project involved several key activities across different stages. These included 3 transnational project meetings (TPM), 3 Learning/Teaching/Training activities (LTTA), and the development of 4 Project Results (Rs) such as the NSB App, the e-book ""The Role of the Mentor… in 1 Minute."", the digital guide “Summer School… Manual”, and the Evaluation Management Platform, digital tools that will remain at public disposal for free use and implementation. Besides the TPMs held in Belgium, Italy and Portugal, the project partners met regularly online to align responsibilities, assess progress, and discuss the sustainability of the results. The LTTAs held in Slovenia, Cyprus, and Turkey, focused on training staff in STEAM methodologies, mentoring practices, and digital tools for result evaluation. Additionally, although they weren’t present at formal meetings and LTTA events, students at all partner schools were involved in testing and developing some of the digital tools resulting from the project. There was also a Multiplier Event – “Innovative Vocational Education and Training Practices”, in July 2024, in Vila Verde (Portugal), with the presentation of all results, lectures on STEAM methodology and a showcase of STEAM good practices.<< Results >>The project resulted in several concrete outputs, including:1. NSB App: An app for Android and iOS devices to help students to self-assess their learning needs in various subject fields. With quizzes about language (native and foreign), Maths, Science and Technology, that allow them to understand which areas they need to develop furthermore. It also includes educational gamified challenges.2. e-Book -“The role of the Mentor… in 1 Minute!”, a practical guide for mentors in VET contexts, offering advice on how to encourage and motivate students with learning difficulties through non-formal educational activities. It provides essential information on their roles and responsibilities, and on and how to become a Mentor.3. “Summer School… Manual”, A digital guide with proposals of STEAM-based activities that engage students in project-based learning, with a focus on urban sustainability and future cities, to be developed with target students that are struggling to achieve academic success.4. NSB Evaluation Platform: this digital tool aims at monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the NSB project tools, collecting data to continuously improve the educational strategies employed."