“Migrant and refugee workers support for cultivating inter-cultural competences” Erasmus Project

Project Title

“Migrant and refugee workers support for cultivating inter-cultural competences”

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Migrants’ issues; Integration of refugees; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

In recent years, tens of thousands of migrants and refugees have sought asylum and international protection in EU countries. They want to become an integrated part of European society, and this poses new challenges for the people who work with them. In order to be able to deal effectively with ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity, professionals need new skills and competencies. In the context of the general rules of the European Community for dealing with migration, the @MigrationSpotlight project has developed and implemented training modules, activities and materials for those working with refugees and migrants – social workers, educators, psychologists, doctors, NGOs and charities. The aim is for them to be sufficiently prepared to work in culturally diverse environments and in a multilingual environment, through targeted knowledge of cultural identities to be able to effectively achieve intercultural interaction. The created training methodologies are based on the creative approach; the project changes the philosophy of training of workers with migrants and refugees, which directly affects the integration of migrants in European society. The project is implemented by five partner organizations: Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation Alef – Bulgaria, FERDINAND PORSCHE FERN FACHHOCHSCHULE GMBH – Austria, UC LIMBURG – Belgium, EDEX – EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE CORPORATION LIMITED – Cyprus, EPIMELITIRIO CHALKIDIKI – Greece. To achieve the objectives, the partners carried out a number of research activities – surveys, field studies, analyzes of existing training programs, identified needs and prepared reports outlining how intercultural competence activities should be developed. Four basic pools were identified, on which all activities and programs developed in the project are based: (1) Intercultural knowledge, (2) Interpersonal skills; (3) Team efficiency; (4) Cultural empathy.
5 main products have been developed:
1. Research report – published on the project website – http://atmigrationspotlight.openedict.eu/
2. „Train the Trainer” Program – 4 theoretical models and 60 practical exercises based on culture and different arts. It is published in a booklet in five languages – English, Bulgarian, Greek, Flemish and German. It is available on the project website.
3. Guidelines for intercultural mentoring and an interactive tool – designed to shift learning policy and practice from “advice and guidance” to “learning conversations”.
4. Online platform for hosting shared virtual environments – an interactive tool in which 50 mentors and mentees can communicate simultaneously, individually and in groups, exchange views, information and support materials, plan and conduct online meetings, which was especially necessary during the restrictions of COVID-19 – http://104.248.203.74/
The products developed under the project were tested in different types of activities:
1. Multiplayer events – in Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Austria in the presence of nearly 120 participants
2. Online mentoring procedure – lasted two months with the participation of mentors and mentees from the five partner countries
3. Two-day online training, based on the “Train the trainer” program, mentoring procedure and guidelines for using the online platform with the participation of specialists from Bulgaria, Greece, Austria, Belgium and Cyprus. Feedback was received from the users of the products, on the basis of which they were improved and adapted according to the educational needs. All project results are available in English, Greek, Bulgarian, German and Flemish on the project website, its Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/MigrationSpotlight-2324742070895688/ or through the printed editions – booklet, leaflets and etc. The project has had an impact on all levels of European space – local, regional, international. The main target groups manage to apply the developed practices and strategies and to upgrade their intercultural competencies, which helps them to successfully deal with the cultural, religious and linguistic diversity of refugee groups. The availability of materials and the completion of the project help to create a learning environment that meets the needs of all migrants and refugees. The project also has an impact on migrants and refugees themselves, promoting their equal treatment and inclusion.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 124399,15 Eur

Project Coordinator

Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation Alef & Country: BG

Project Partners

• EDEX – EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE CORPORATION LIMITED
• FERDINAND PORSCHE FERNFACHHOCHSCHULE GMBH
• UC LIMBURG
• EPIMELITIRIO CHALKIDIKI