The proposed project seeks to stimulate the development of existing educational activities in the target region by improving the quality and applying innovative approaches through the introduction of distance and online learning in a region with negative socio-economic indicators and the presence of minority groups and disadvantaged youth in the districts of Pleven, Bulgaria and Dolj, Romania.
The overall goal of the project is to create a modern and attractive educational environment in the two partner schools from Bulgaria and Romania with the support of experts from the Romanian partner 3, introducing distance and online complementary learning for equal access to inclusive and quality educational services.
Specific project objectives:
- Collaborative actions in the development of training materials and curricula, trainings, appropriate equipment and digitized tools, and outdoor learning spaces to create the conditions for inclusive and equitable quality education.
- Establish a joint learning network for complementary extra-curricular learning, promoting cohesion and positive impact among young people in the cross-border region.
Two thematic work packages will be used to implement the project, corresponding to the defined specific objectives. WP 1: “Development of training materials for students and trainers and equipment of training venues”, WP 2: “Establishment of a joint training network and implementation of 6 joint extra-curricular training activities in interest clubs”.
The project will contribute to improving the motivation of all participants in training, educational, motivational and other similar approaches that ultimately contribute to improving the quality of education and training services and increasing employment opportunities. This improves general socialisation and stimulates the provision of educational and training services by the relevant educational structures, as well as stimulating the interest of learners (including members of minority groups, young people in socially disadvantaged situations and/or those at risk of social exclusion).
The partners start from the notion that the introduction of innovative educational and motivational approaches will stimulate the general interest of learners in specific areas of their general and complementary education and will form in them a more sustainable interest in the advantages of distance and online learning. Since, in terms of general indicators, both the Bulgarian and the Romanian target region are lagging behind some European indicators and those registered in the national statistics of both countries, the project partners are of the opinion that the implementation of the measures envisaged by the project can be beneficial for the recipients of these measures and, through the exchange of synergistic experiences and adaptation, can create useful common approaches. To summarise, a cross-border approach is appropriate in this case, as with similar problems in the two neighbouring regions, it is necessary to compare the effectiveness of the concerted impact measures and assess how and to what extent they have a positive and sustainable effect.
If we take into account the massive use by young people of modern computer and Internet possibilities for entertainment and leisure, the partners are of the opinion that the transition to more significant distance and online learning improves both their general educational background and their overall personal development. Broadly speaking, these main lines of influence include both the improvement of currently existing educational and training services and the gradual incorporation of new forms contained in information technology for personal development, motivation and socialisation.
The outputs of the project implementation contribute to the achievement of the output indicators of Priority 3, SO 4.2 of the programme, namely RCO85 Participation in joint training schemes – 2 trainings (teachers and students); RCO87 Cross-border cooperation between organisations – 3 organisations will implement cross-border cooperation (1 from Bulgaria and 2 from Romania); RCO4 Investment in education, training and lifelong learning services – two investments in education (one in Bulgaria and one in Romania). Teachers, students and the local community will benefit from the outputs of the project during its implementation and after its formal closure.