Ride the Wave

Ocean&Climate Literacy for Nautical Schools

Financing Body: INDIRE – Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa (Erasmus+ School)

Training programme: Erasmus Plus – KA210 – Small-scale partnerships in school education

Duration: 17 months

Lead partner: Associazione Ambientalista Marevivo Onlus

Partners:

• Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association-HELMEPA (Greece)
• Istituto Statale di Istruzione Superiore “R.Del Rosso-G.da Verrazzano” (Italy)
• 1st Vocational High School of Konistres, Evia (Greece)

PROJECT ABSTRACT

Context

The project concretely contributes to the construction of the European education area in at least 4 of the 6 dimensions
defined by the Commission:

• Quality
• Gender inclusion and equality
• Green and digital transitions
• Teachers and trainers

Objectives

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
Increase awareness and knowledge of the role that seas and oceans play in the climate change mitigation process and contribute to the development of a more responsible “Sea generation”, leader in the ecological transition.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• Develop a shared proposal of Ocean & Climate Literacy
• Improve teachers’ knowledge and green strategies
• Encourage the adoption of sustainable behaviors by students
• Increase the strategic capacity of organizations for sustainability and environment awareness raising
• Stimulate the participation of women in the blue economy
• Increase the attractiveness and internationalization of nautical institutes
• Improve community awareness for more sustainable lifestyles

Activities

• WP1: Coordination of partnership, monitoring and evaluation of results
• WP2: Networking of local maritime organizations and exchange of good practices
• WP3: Ocean and Climate Education Course: indoor, outdoor and online activities
• WP4: Production of guidelines for the replicability of the initiative
• WP5: Communication and dissemination of results

Results

• Network of local maritime organizations active in the protection of the sea and in the sustainable blue economy to collaborate on a transnational and intersectoral level
• Ocean&Climate Literacy pathway: practical on-the-job and digital activities for collaboration between Greek and Italian students and teachers
• Toolkit for replicability: facilitate the structuring of local maritime networks and transfer the educational activities implemented in other European nautical institutes

DIG.I.T.ABLE

DIGital Inclusive Trainers for AccessiBLE Education

Financing Body: INAPP – Istituto Nazionale per l’Analisi delle Politiche Pubbliche (Erasmus+ VET)

Training programme: Erasmus Plus – KA202 – Strategic Partnership for Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Duration: 33 months

Lead partner: STUDIO SAPERESSERE SRL (Italy)

Partners:

• ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE POUR LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE (Belgium)
• National Rehabilitation Centre for Blind (Bulgaria)
• EQUALIZENT SCHULUNGS UND BERATUNGS GMBH (Austria)
• INTERACTIVE MEDIA KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER INTERMEDIAKT (Greece)
• EVALUATE – Esperti di valutazione degli apprendimenti e certificazione delle competenze (Italy)

PROJECT ABSTRACT

Context

The EC stresses that ICT must be used for people with disabilities, facilitating the use of online services and content and removing barriers. However, the concept of accessibility only applies to web products and services, through the Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines, while in synchronous distance learning the necessary accessibility parameters are not limited to the technical point of view, but concern 3 levels: access to web platforms, contents and activities. Specific parameters have been set up to ensure accessibility to the content, but there is no systematic development of theoretical paradigms and teaching methodologies, as well as operational guidelines for the planning of inclusive online activities. Inclusive and accessible vocational training programs for people with sensory disabilities also help to increase their participation in the labor market (the unemployment rate for blind/visually impaired people is 75% in Europe).

According to Cedefop, with the health crisis the continuity of learning can only be guaranteed thanks to the digital skills, flexibility and creativity of trainers, who must develop technical and andragogic skills for distance learning and need tools and methodologies to increase effectiveness, usability and active involvement of learners.

This urgency is even greater for VET that plays a key role in the up-skilling process and the prevention of the digital gap and that suffered a strong suspension of Work Based Learning due to the pandemic.

Objectives

The DIG.I.T.ABLE – DIGital Inclusive Trainers for AccessiBLE Education project intends to contribute to:
– improve the alignment between the skills of professional trainers and the needs of the labor market through new skills and specialized digital competences applied to accessible and inclusive online training
– expanding the job opportunities of professional trainers through the acquisition of inclusive teaching skills that allow them to involve also groups of learners with special training needs
– improve the attractiveness of online continuing professional training, both for learners and trainers, through dynamic, interactive and engaging digital training approaches and tools
– broaden the career opportunities of workers with sensory (visual and hearing) disabilities through the increase of accessible and inclusive online vocational training opportunities
– increase the quality and impact of the activities implemented by continuing vocational training organizations, through the exchange of good practices for planning and developing the inclusive digital skills of their staff, in order to reach an ever-wider target of learners

Activities

WP1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT – Lead: SAPERESSERE + all partners
A1.1 Coordination and management
A1.2 Monitoring
A1.3 Evaluation

WP2: INCLUSIVE DIGITAL TRAINER CURRICULUM – Lead: SAPERESSERE + all partners
A2.1 Analysis of the training needs of people with sensory disabilities: focus on the accessibility of online, synchronous and interactive vocational training (Needs analysis)
A2.2 LTTA organization for the exchange of good training practices between partners in response to the needs of people with sensory disabilities (Collection of good practices)
A2.3 Elaboration of the new integrated didactic paradigm with description of the technical and didactic characteristics of an ideal interactive inclusive digital training (theoretical paradigm)
A2.4 Adaptation of existing digital tools to meet the special needs identified in the context of synchronous distance learning (Guide for the alternative and adapted use of existing technologies)
A2.5 Development and implementation of new digital tools for accessible, inclusive and interactive synchronous distance learning (innovative software for the involvement of the online class and related guidelines)
A2.6 Detailed description of the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the inclusive digital trainer
A2.7 Development of the training program to develop the figure of the inclusive digital trainer: methodologies, tools, activities and Learning Outcomes based on criteria provided by the certification tools
A2.8 Translation of the Curriculum into the languages of the partnership

WP3: TRAINING – Lead: InterMedia KT + all partners
A3.1 Test of the training methodology
A3.2 Detailed description of the criteria for selecting participants: basic knowledge, skills and attitudes that the student must possess when starting the training course
A3.3 Selection of participants in the Training: definition of the selection procedure, preparation of the call for participants and implementation of the selection (screening of CV and motivational letter; possible interview)
A3.4 Organization and implementation of the Training for inclusive digital trainers: online training of professional trainers in order to transfer them knowledge and skills to effectively design and deliver synchronous, accessible, inclusive and interactive distance professional training courses for people with sensory disabilities
A3.5 Pilot course: the new inclusive digital trainers deliver an inclusive digital training to a class with people with sensory disabilities. In each country (4), 6 groups of inclusive digital trainers deliver their own 2-hour pilot course, for a total of 48 hours of pilot-course
A3.6 Design, registration and editing of video-lessons
A3.7 Verification and certification of skills and competences

WP4: TOOLKIT – Lead: EVTA + all partners
A4.1 Follow-up: inclusive digital trainers report their direct experience in the field, with particular attention to the difficulties, critical issues and creative solutions introduced during the delivery of their pilot course
A4.2 Collecting feedback from the indirect target group on the quality, interest and accessibility of the pilot course
A4.3 Elaboration of the Replicability Toolkit with detailed operational instructions for the design and delivery of inclusive digital training to be disseminated at all levels of the education and training sector

WP5: COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION – Lead: EVTA + all partners
A5.1 Communication and Dissemination Plan
A5.2 Construction of a European database of stakeholders
A5.3 Website development and implementation
A5.4 Newsletter
A5.5 Social media strategy
A5.6 Promotional video
A5.7 Press Office
A5.8 Production of information materials
A5.9 Organization of 3 Multiplier Events

Expected results

The project contributes to the general objectives through the achievement of the following SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. Improvement of trainers’ digital skills, knowledge and ability to use specific methodological tools and approaches for distance learning, with a particular focus on designing online courses that are dynamic, interactive, engaging and inclusive (at least 120 trainers involved)
2. Improvement of the accessibility and inclusiveness of continuing professional training online for people with sensory disabilities (visual and hearing) (at least 50 people with sensory disabilities involved in the pilot course)

The specific objectives will in turn be achieved through 3 TANGIBLE RESULTS:

1. The curriculum of the inclusive digital trainer
2. The online certified professional training course for inclusive digital trainers (120 participants from the direct target group) and 50 participants with visual and hearing impairments (indirect target group)
3. The toolkit for the replicability of the online professional training course with guidelines on how to organize the inclusive online training course for people with sensory disabilities, including teaching approaches, methodologies, tools, recommendations and practical examples.

Funding institution: European Commission –JUSTICE Programme

Project duration: 24 months

Project title: SERENY – STRENGTHENING APPROACHES FOR THE PREVENTION OF YOUTH RADICALISATION IN PRISON AND PROBATION SETTINGS

Project lead partner: UNIVERSITA’ DEGLI STUDI DELLA CAMPANIA LUIGI VANVITELLI- FACOLTA’ DI GIURISPRUDENZA

Partner:

• UNIVERSITY OF PALERMO – FACULTY OF LAW (Italy)
• DANUBE UNIVERSITY KREMS – DEPARTMENT OF MIGRATION AND GLOBALISATION (Austria)
• UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA – OSPDH (Spain)
• AVOKATI I POPULLIT – OMBUDSMAN (Albany)
• PRODOS CONSULTING (Italy)
• THE PEACE INSTITUTE. INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STUDIES (Slovenia)

Project abstract

Context:

Inhumane prison conditions, overcrowding and ill-treatment are factors that may contribute to the increase of radicalisation in the European prison system. Radicalisation and related behaviours find a flourishing field of growth in the prison and probation system. In this context, young adult prisoners (age group: 18-29) are considered vulnerable and at risk of radicalisation as they are still in the process of developing their identity.

Objectives:

The SERENY project aims to contribute to the prevention and reduction of radicalization phonomena in the European prison system among young inmates by protecting the  respectful of their human rights as granted by International, EU and CoE laws and regulations. Particularly, the Serenity projects aims to:

1. Foster the adoption of evidence-based youth radicalisation prevention programs and practices in detention settings, respectful of international, EU and CoE human rights law and standards;
2. Provide concerned operators with knowledge and insights from primary data and qualitative studies that are ‘person-centered’, which can use concrete cases to ascertain whether and how certain measures impact on individuals’ evolution towards and away from radicalisation.
3. Enhance synergies among academia and practitioners, human rights NGOs, penitentiary administrators and key actors.

Activities

The project is based on the following main activities:

• Analysis. Collection of quantitative and qualitative datas, analysis existing legislation, approaches, training programmes, practices and interventions related to the prevention of violent extremism and radicalisation in prison and probation settings, with a focus on young adults. This activity involves the production and distribution of:
• Handbook to increase human rights protection in prisons with regard to vulnerable/at risk young adults;
• Handbook on young adults in detention to understand and deal with early signal of radicalisation;
• Case studies collection related to radicalisation risks prevention and mitigation programmes based on a human rights promotion perspective.
• Dissemination and awareness. This activity aims at disseminating the project results to all target groups and key actors involved in the prevention of radicalisation of young adults in prisons, ensuring a broad impact and visibility of the project results both at national and transnational level.

In order to stimulate the discussion about project’s relevant topics and best practices sharing also from an interdisciplinary point of view, it is planned to organize workshop, round-table discussions composed by different fields experts and a major international conference to present project’s outcomes and allow key stakeholders and professionals to discuss technical issues and define common ground for future collaboration.

Expected outcomes:

• Involved prison and probation administrators and staff and front-line operators, policy-makers will have access to new knowledge, understanding and to comparable data, facts and figures of viable and effective radicalization prevention programs and interventions, finding guidance to the implementation of strength-based, protective and promotive practices, respectful of young inmates’ human rights according to international and EU standards.
• prison and probation administrators and staff and front-line operators will achieve greater understanding of the individual dimension of radicalisation processes to timely detect and act on them, to promote positive behaviors of vulnerable/at risk youngsters in prison facilities, properly considering their special needs as recognized by the EU and international law.
• Increased multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral sharing of ideas, perspectives, experiences and good practices, contributing to an open social innovation dialogue across Europe which takes into account the multifaceted aspects of the topic.

InMEDIATE
International Mediators Trained in Europe

Financing Body: BIBB / Nationale Agentur Bildung für Europa beim BIBB

Training programme: Erasmus Plus – KA202 – Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training (VET)

Duration: 30 months

Lead partner: STEINBEIS BERATUNGSZENTREN GMBH (Germany)

Partners:

• Resolutia – Gestione delle controversie (Italy)
• Mediatorzy (Poland)
• Prodos Consulting (Italy)
• Università degli Studi di Firenze(Italy)
• Steinbeis-Hochschule (Germany)
• Swps Uniwersytet (Poland).

Project abstract

Context:

Despite the numerous initiatives in place at EU level to foster the practice of civil mediation for settling cross-border disputes, the effective uptake of mediation is still hindered by multiple obstacles. One of the main challenges in this field is the lacking uniformity in mediation training standards and selection procedures, due to heterogeneous national regulatory frameworks. Various studies in the field highlight that even expert mediators need specialized training to face the challenge of mediating international civil disputes, where conflict dynamics and intercultural issues are at stake.

Objectives

The main objective of the project is to establish a common European standard for the professional qualification of the international mediator. This will be achieved through a training programme, aimed at providing professional mediators, lawyers and other legal professionals with a comprehensive set of specialist knowledge, technical and intercultural skills, including ODR techniques. In particular, the project aims to:

1. map existing training programmes at national level in the different EU countries, detecting criticalities and identifying good practices in the field;
2. develop uniform quality standards to foster mutual recognition of competences between EU countries and contribute to greater professional mobility in the field of international mediation;
3. implement a digital platform for training and exchange of knowledge and good practices in the field of cross-border civil mediation;
4. to build a qualified European network of professional mediators specialised in cross-border civil mediation.

Activities

The project is grounded on 3 main pillars:

1. Design and development of a Curriculum for International Civil Mediators;
2. Creation of the InMEDIATE e-learning platform;
3. Production of a Toolkit for the replicability of the competence validation process.

The training program includes an online course accessible through the InMEDIATE platform and face-to-face work group sessions (Mediation Labs), based on simulations of real cases of international disputes.

Foreseen results:

• Enhanced capacity of mediation professionals to deal with cross-border disputes;
• validation of learning outcomes according to uniform standards jointly set up by partner universities;
• production of guidelines for legal professionals and mediation centres on how to transfer, adopt and implement the InMEDIATE training programme;
• creation of a European network of qualified professionals in the field of international mediation;
• increased public awareness about the quality and reliability of international mediation services;

finally, the project has a clear multiplier effect: besides the specific legal community of mediators and legal professionals, the project’s outputs will produce Economies of scale providing European citizens with better services, thus contributing to overall savings in resources and time.

ENTRNET
Develop National Networks of Adult Education Providers in the field of Entrepreneurship

Financing Body: Erasmus+ Programme – Key Action 3 – European Commission

Duration: 36 months

Lead partner: Institouto Mikron Epichiriseon Genikis Synomospondias Epaggelm (Greece)

Partners:

• Ministero dell’educazione e degli affari religiosi (Grecia)
• Manpower (Grecia)
• Learning Digital di Stefano Tirati (Italia)
• Ente Nazionale del Microcredito (Italia)
• Odisee vzw (Belgio)
• Association Europeenne pour la formation professionnelle (Belgio)
• Universitatea dunarea de jos din gelati (Romania)

Project abstract

Context:
In a time of uncertainty and rapid change, Europe needs youngsters with an entrepreneurial mindset, who are able to turn ideas into action. Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be learnt, therefore it needs to be integrated into educational systems. In 2016, the EU Commission published the European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework which has opened the debate over what it means to be entrepreneurial across all aspects of life and set a framework to support the establishment of national level approaches, the design of curricula and entrepreneurial learning, the assessment of individuals’ competences for education or employment.
Adult – Entre- Net suggests an understanding of entrepreneurship not as an activity limited to the business world but as a transversal competence that can apply to all spheres of life and is crucial not only for better labor market participation, but also for a more active participation of people in society, where they can contribute through any type of value creation. Entrepreneurship is a key competence that requires a comprehensive and systematic approach within policy and practice across sectors. Although most countries in Europe have increased their efforts in the area of entrepreneurship education, further work needs to be done to ensure cooperation between policy-makers and stakeholders in the fields of education, employment, industry, innovation and youth and support a holistic approach to the development of the entrepreneurial competence using EntreComp,with a lifelong learning perspective.

Objective:
Within participating countries, help to establish new national or regional networks of adult education providers, and facilitate their involvement in European cooperation.

Activities:

• Work Package 1 – Management
  Definition of all the activities and mechanisms of project preparation, project management and implementation, risk management, quality assurance and evaluation.
  Responsible: IME-GSEVEE
• Work Package 2 – Establishment of Adult Education Networks
  Establishment of National networks of adult education providers cooperated for the development and assessment of entrepreneurial competences. Strongly rooted in their local/regional/national territory, these communities will also start to develop a transnational dialogue with other clusters based in different contexts, identifying additional mobilizers and networkers in each nation.
• Work Package 3 – Creation of the co-design strategy (action plan to promote entrepreneurial education for adult learning)
  Within this action, we will define a plan of activities that will contribute to the creation of a learning pathway built on the basis of the needs of individuals and organizations coming from different national contexts, with the objective of creating more learning or upskilling opportunities for the target group needs.
• Work Package 4 – Transnational testing activity
  Testing the package designed during WP3, for the purpose to demonstrate a collaborative, cross-sectoral nature fruit of cooperation among different actors. It is expected to demonstrate the innovative aspects and the potential to support the identified target groups (in terms of an improved development of entrepreneurship competence, and approaches and tools for the development of the abovementioned competences as well). the results of the testing phase will be propaedeutic to produce a set of policy recommendations (under WP5).
• Work Package 5 – Capitalization activities
  The grant beneficiary will produce a GUIDE with concrete recommendations for an effective transposition of the EntreComp model into different contexts (10-15 pages) highlighting lessons learnt in using EntreComp for developing new activities on the ground around the entrepreneurship competence.
• Work Package 6 – Dissemination
  Project partners will widely implement dissemination acticities in order to promote the establishement of the networks and the relevant project’s results.

Expected results

Thanks to the aforementioned actions, the partnership aims to reach the following results:

• Creating, putting in action and guaranteeing the future activity of locally/regionally/nationally-based adult education networks, that will use Adult-Entre-Net project’s results as an instrument to foster the development of entrepreneurial skills
• The mapping of the general context related to the use of EntreComp for the strengthening of entrepreneurial skills in the various nations, with the objective of determining the state of application and the new possibilities
• The creation of new opportunities for entrepreneurship education or the expansion and adaptation of the existing ones
• The definition of more effective instruments for the assessment of incoming and outgoing entrepreneurial competences for the individuals involved in entrepreneurial education and training
• The improvement of the ties between the world of education and training and the world of employment, built upon a strong cooperation between public authorities and institutions that represent the world of trade and employment.

NEVER AGAIN. Developing an innovative training methodology to prevent and combat the risk of secondary victimization of women victims of violence

Financing Body: European Commission – Rights, Equality and Citizenship Program

Duration: 24 months

Lead partner: University of Campania  “Luigi Vanvitelli” – Law Department (Italy)

Partners:

• D.i.Re Donne in Rete contro la violenza
• IL SOLE 24 ORE
• Prodos Consulting
• Movimento Artistico Socio Culturale (M.A.S.C.)
• Associazione Maschile Plurale

Project abstract

Context:

Discriminatory attitudes, cultural stereotypes and prejudices – embedded in institutional, law enforcement, judicial and media system – seriously limit the ability of women victims of gender-based violence (GBV) to seek help and access justice. Stereotyping usually leads to victim-blaming, which in turn may result in secondary victimisation.

The effects and impact of secondary victimisation are likely to lead to ineffective and harmful interventions. Women are less likely to seek justice due to a lack of confidence in the justice system and are also less likely to be aware of their rights.

Objectives

NEVER AGAIN aims to prevent and combat secondary victimisation in gender-based cases, in line with national and European legislation. In particular, the project aims to:

• Improve the gender-responsiveness of the justice system and strengthen the access to justice for women victims of violence.
• Contribute to the consistent and effective implementation of EU regulations and national laws – with specific regard to “secondary victimization” – in the daily practice of justice professionals.
• Sensitize media professionals to the importance of changing dominant social representations of VAW in media reporting and storytelling, too often based on sensationalism and stereotyped models.
• Enhance awareness and understanding among direct target groups of the legal, social and cultural roots of violence against women.

Activities

The project builds on 2 main pillars:

1) Training program for law enforcement representatives, judicial professionals and journalists on the prevention of secondary victimization

2) Communication, dissemination and awareness-raising activities. This activity foresees the production and distribution of: multilingual visual contents for social media; articles and E-Book; sponsored social media posts; guidelines for media professionals.

Training activities will be involving 100 police officers, 200 justice professionals and 50 journalists and will be coupled with communication and awareness-raising activities addressingg a wider audience. Among the planned activities, the project foresees 10 theatrical interactive performances, specifically designed to raise public awareness on the issue of secondary victimisation.

Foreseen results:

1. improved sensitivity and responsiveness towards the needs and rights of women victims of violence;
2. increased capacity to use a victim-centred approach;
3. improved knowledge and competences on EU and national laws regarding secondary victimization;
4. increased understanding of the importance of correct use of language when reporting on VAW and GBV;
5. enhanced awareness about the cultural roots of VAW and secondary victimization.

Exchange of good practices and network creation in adult education and e-learning in the field of EU funding

Financing Body: Erasmus+ Programme – European Commission

Duration: 22 months

Lead partner: EUFRAK-EUROCONSULTS BERLIN GMBH

Partners:

• Prodos Consulting
• European Projects Association
• European Fund Management Consulting OÜ
• Wieser Consult S.R.L.
• Informo – Udruga Za Poticanje Zaposljavanja, Strucnog Usavrsavanja I Obrazovanja
• Asociacion Building Bridges
• Instituto Pedro Nunes Associacao Para A Inovacao E Desenvolvimento Em Ciencia E Tecnologia

Project abstract

Context:

Adult educational institutions in the field of European funding need to network with each other, exchange good practices, discuss new metholodogical approaches both in frontal teaching, elearning and the use of ICT during the training they offer. Furthermore, they need to exchange information and get prepared to successfully enter the new funding period 2021-2017 to be able to deliver a better educational offer to their training participants. These are the needs the present partnership has identified and that will be a central point of the present project. In particular, training institutions need to innovate in their way they provide trainings and integrate e-learning and use of information and communication technologies.

Objectives:

The objectives of the present strategic partnership are to create a European network between the participating organisations and beyond, to discuss good practices and innovations in the training each organisations offers with a specific focus on e-learning and to successfully prepare and enter the new funding period through a constant exchange of information and material. The participants will be trainers of the participating organisations (direct target group of the present project) and the adult learners of the trainings each organisation offer will be the final beneficiaries (2nd target group). These will strongly benefit from the knowledge acquired by the trainers educators in new educational approaches and e-learning.

Activities:

• 5 project meetings (Kick-Off meeting and final conference in Brussels included)
• 1 joint term staff training event that will support the trainers implementing new learning and teaching
• dissemination both online and offline at local, regional, national and European level
• incorporation of the new training methodologies in partners usual training activities: all project partners will be requested to provide the same input (according to their specific working field and specialisation) linked to the educational field

Outputs of the project:

• a handbook (of 20-30 pages) with specificities about the funding programmes of the new period 2021-2027
• a mapping of organisations active in the field of education related to European funding with the connected creation of a European network of organisations working in the educational field related to EU funding and finally a common declaration from the partnership on expectations and wishes for the new funding period

DICA EUROPA!

Dialogue, Integration, Competences and Skills in the new Third sector

Financing Body: Project financed through the PON SPAO (National Operational Program “Active Employment Policy Systems”) and promoted by ANPAL and the European Social Fund

Duration: 24 months

Lead partner: STUDIO SAPERESSERE SRL

Partners:

• Prodos Consulting
• Cittadinanzattiva
• Associazione Legambiente e Formazione
• ARCI APS

Project abstract

Context: Access to finance is a strategic priority for the sustainability and future development of non-profit organizations, which must face both an increase in social needs resulting from the economic crisis, and a growing competition fueled by reduced public resources available. Therefore, the objective of integrating resources is of primary importance and it is essential to pay attention to the important financing opportunities offered by the European Union.

Objectives: through a specialized training course on European planning and EU Cohesion policies, addressing volunteers, associates and employees of non-profit organizations, the project intends to strengthen the role of Third Sector bodies in the programming, planning and management of ESI funds and European Programs 2014/2020, for a more effective and efficient use of public resources.

The main objective of the training is to provide participants with tools and methods to identify the most appropriate EU financial resources and develop project proposals in line with European standards. In particular, the course intends to train and/or update ETS professional figures, with specific theoretical knowledge and operational competences in project management and social project financing.

In line with the objectives of the call, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of the ETS and to empower operators in the sector, especially in the 5 least developed Regions: in fact project resources are allocated mainly to Southern Regions (Project Labs, information events and networking meetings).

Activities: the training will be delivered in “blended” mode, including both distance learning activities (about 20 hours of FAD), frontal classroom lectures (40 ProjectLab) and 10 Webinars. Distance education involves a synchronous learner-teacher interaction and is intended to provide participants with adequate theoretical knowledge, teaching materials and preparatory tools for practical laboratories. Therefore, the methodology consists of the synergic action between the acquisition of theoretical competences through video-lessons and the practical approach of project Labs.

SpreK.O.

A national network to fight against waste and the promotion of responsible consumption

Project funded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies – “Avviso n.1/2018 per il Finanziamento di iniziative e progetti di rilevanza nazionale ai sensi dell’articolo 72 del Decreto legislativo 3 luglio 2017, n.117 e S.M.I. – Anno 2018”

Year: 2019

Duration: 18 months

Lead Partner: CA – Cittadinanzattiva

Partner: AICS – Italian Culture and Sport Association

Project abstarct

SpreK.O. aims to increase citizens’ awareness on waste reduction. This need was made evident by the recent research carried out by ISTAT on citizens’ behavior and satisfaction regarding separate collection (July 2018), from which it emerged that 93.4% of families would like more information on how to separate waste.

 The SpreKO project combines AICS and CA’s consolidated experience in organizing events and awareness-raising addressing young people and adults, with the aim of encouraging a significant lifestyle change, especially in production and consumption patterns, to promote the development of territories and communities. The project intends to stimulate the joint commitment of all social actors, directly involving citizens in this change.

In particular, the project intends to:

– promote citizen empowerment;

– strengthen AICS and CA’s associative network;

– promote and initiate strategic partnerships and collaboration paths with local authorities and companies in order to enhance the local dimension as a space for effective confrontation;

– involve young people as promoters of environmentally sustainable behaviors;

– promote the replicability of good practices already implemented at the local level

SpreKO will make use of AICS and CA’s widespread presence at national level to identify the most critical areas and organize 20 territorial initiatives on the theme of sustainability and waste reduction.

YesSsi – Simple Access to ADR for Consumers

Year: 2019

Lead partner: Resolutia S.r.l.

Financing body: Consumer Programme, European Commission

High levels of confidence encourage consumers to experiment and shop around which supports new businesses, boosts competition and creates growth. Too often, however,  civil justice systems present obstacles for consumers to access courts, in the form of unpredictable costs, complexity of litigation, and lack of clear timescales. Additionally, the low monetary value of the vast majority of consumer disputes makes courts often an unsuitable forum to obtain individual redress.

These critical factors become severe obstacles in Italy, a country which suffers from a chronically inefficient judicial system: according to statistical reports (World Bank’s Doing Business 2019), Italy ranked 111° out of 183 countries in civil litigation efficiency.

The “YesSsi Project- Simple Access to ADR for Consumers”- aims to promote and facilitate a widespread and swift access to Alternative Disputes Resolution instruments for consumer disputes in Italy, providing a low-cost and simple way for consumers to safeguard their rights and to engage in commercial transactions with confidence.

In line with:
– Directive 2013/11/EU on Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumers
– Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters,
– Regulation 524/2013 (EC) on Online Dispute Resolution for Consumers
– Green Paper on alternative dispute resolution in civil and commercial law,

YesSsi project intends to tackle the highlighted critical points by designing and implementing innovative approaches and tools in order to boost access to extra judicial means to solve consumers dispute in Italy. Notably, the project aims at:

• providing a unique user-friendly access point (YesSsi Platform) to all available ADR instruments for all sectors relevant to consumers;
• expanding the utilization of ADR instruments insofar that they are used to solve consumers disputes, providing consumers with clear information and suitable tools to guide them through the available options;
• spreading awareness among citizens about the possibility to use ADR and associated benefits and rights;
• engaging and gathering ADR providers, providing them with useful resources and tools to easily manage their ADR tasks;
• engaging and gathering businesses and professionals offering them IT support in managing their ADR tasks.

B-ComPetent. Boosting Competences in Penitentiary Staff in Europe

Year: 2019

Lead Applicant: Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

Consortium members: Universitat de Barcelona (Spain); Avokati i Popullit (Albania); Antigone Onlus (Italy); Prodos Consulting srl (Italy); Qendra Europiane Fondacioni – European Centre (Albania); Fundació Bosch i Gimpera (Spain).

Financing body: Justice Programme 2014-2020

Project’s duration: 24 months

The 2 years project “B-ComPetent. Boosting Competences in Penitentiary Staff in Europe”, carried on by 7 intersectoral partners from 3 countries, is aimed at building capacity of prison civilian front-line staff through the acquisition of specific skills and competences related to human rights protection with focus on foreign inmates’ special needs and rights, in line with the EU and international law and to Recommendation CM/Rec (2012)12.

Front-line prison staff are in charge of understanding prisoners personal situation and any risk posed by individual prisoners, both in a perspective of future reintegration of the offender into society and dynamic security. In view of their strategic role in prison frameworks, prison civilian professionals are primarily in need to acquire proper competencies and skills useful for their work, necessary to manage cultural diversity-related issues.

As national prison services recognize internal gaps in dealing with increasingly multi-ethnic correctional environments, the project intends to tackle training gaps of prison staff: the innovative B-ComPetent crossborder train-the-trainers programme, combined with best practices sharing actions and awareness raising of innovative practical multilingual tools and materials, will provide trainers with multidisciplinary competences necessary to properly train the civilian front-line prison staff who will gain increased knowledge of EU legislation and standards related to human rights, notably of foreign inmates’ rights and will acquire horizontal skills to prevent radicalisation and enhance dynamic security in prisons.

The following main activities will be implemented:

• In depth analysis based on triangulation method to map existing training gaps and best practices in 6 countries (4 EU MS and 2 pre-accession states) with regard to human rights and especially foreign inmates’ rights;
• Design, test and implementation of the online and transnational face to face train-the-trainers courses in 6 countries;
• Production of multilingual training materials and practical tools, animated video with case scenarios, guideline for trainers, handbook with exercises;
• Setting-up of a virtual and virtuous community of practice through the web platform involving relevant stakeholders: trainers, educators, psychologists, correctional officers, prison administrators, human rights observers, policymakers, researchers.

A Network against domestic abuse

Year: 2019

Applicant: Social Cooperative “Orsa Maggiore”

Financing body: Intesa San Paolo Bank – Charity Fund

According to the results of a recent survey (2015), carried out by the Italian Coordination of Child Abuse and Child Abuse Services (CISMAI), the second most widespread form of violence against children, after material and/or emotional neglect (47%), is the phenomenon of assisted violence, which accounts for nearly 20% of the surveyed cases: about 1 child in 5 among those abused is a witness of intra-family domestic violence.

The project “A network against domestic abuse”, co-financed by the Charity Fund of Intesa San Paolo Bank, intends to contribute to protecting the well-being and psycho-physical devlopment of children and teenagers who are witnesses of abuse against their mothers, through the implementation of an integrated system of guidance and assistance of victims of intra-family violence.

The initiative will make use of a multidisciplinary team, made up of legal consultants, family mediators, social service operators and psychotherapists, in order to develop shared strategies and working methods, with particular regard to the following lines of intervention:

• ACTIVATION OF HELPLINE SERVICE;
• PSYCHOLOGICAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE addressed to women and minors victims of abuse through personalized guidance instruments;
• INFORMATION AND AWARENESS OF CITIZENS AND SCHOOL OPERATORS, with a view to primary prevention.

The 12-month project will be implemented by Orsa Maggiore, a social cooperative which has been actively operating in the area of Catania and Messina for over 30 years with targeted prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social integration actions addressed to fragile families and disadvantaged individuals.

The project activities will take place in the premises of a building located in the municipality of Aci Catena (CT), an asset confiscated from the mafia and granted to Orsa Maggiore free of charge for 10 years.

CONNECTED GENERATION – SAFER INTERNET CENTRE

Year: 2018

Financing Body: European Commission – Innovation and Networks Executive Agency

Lead partner: Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)

Partners:

• Polizia di Stato – Polizia Postale e delle Comunicazioni
• Autorità Garante per l’Infanzia e l’Adolescenza
• Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali
• Università degli Studi di Firenze
• Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”,
• Save the Children Italia Onlus
• O.S Telefono Azzurro Onlus
• Cooperativa E.D.I.
• net
• Agenzia Dire
• Fondazione Giffoni film festival

Objectives:

The two-year project aims to:

– promote the safe use of the internet and new digital technologies

– ensure a high level of common network and information security, as well as the level of protection against accidents, risks and threats of online security and information in European Union countries.

The specific areas of the project are:

1) Awareness raising actions (Awareness Center), to encourage a process of self-evaluation of schools through the adoption of internal regulations, including measures to prevent and manage problem situations of bullying and cyberbullying; creation of an online training platform on network security issues; development of a communication campaign through the use of traditional media channels, online media and social media – created by all project partners and the Advisory Board; creation of a web journal to support and disseminate young people’s point of view;

2) Support actions (Helpline) addressing people who find themselves in situations of hardship or danger, through different communication tools;

3) Enhancement actions (Hotline) to improve the reporting service for Internet illegal material.

TUTORED
The social platform for university students and talent acquisition

Project funded by Invitalia – SMART&START ITALIA Programme for the growth of innovative high tech startups

Funding Body: Ministry of Economic Development – MISE

National Operational Programme (NOP) on Enterprises and Competitiveness 2014-2020

Year: 2018

Applicant: Tutored

Project Abstract

Tutored is a social platform entirely devoted to university life and talent acquisition, where over 300.000 Italian university students and newly graduates are registered to reach two main goals:

• Prepare for tests and exams as well as possible. Through the Tutored App university students can share information and notes or book a tutor who has already passed the exam and, more generally, they are given the opportunity of interacting with each other within a community of students belonging to the same study course;
• Set up their professional profile, apply to job vacancies posted by business companies on a daily basis and find work positions best suited to their ambitions.

Thanks to Tutored, businesses have the opportunity to enhance their visibility within a highly targeted social students hub and to carry out employer-branding and tailored engagement actions, through direct links with a community of young Millennials who constantly interact with each other on the platform, in search of the best work or internship opportunities.

The financial support provided by Invitalia through the Smart&Start programme will allow Tutored to expand its community of university students and graduates across Europe, to validate its business model addressed to companies in Italy and in the Countries where Tutored is already present, like Spain, France and Germany, and to open up new markets.

In order to reach these goals, Tutored intends to upgrade its App with new advanced functions for students and businesses, through the use of highly innovative technologies based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) systems.

The platform implementation will contribute to bringing university students and newly graduates closer to business through sophisticated online instruments of employer branding, fostering interconnections and contributing to enhance the applicants skills and optimizing the screening and recruiting processes.

FOMENTO
Fostering mediation in cross-border civil and succession matters

Fomento is a 2-year project co-funded by the European Commission in the framework of the Justice Programme 2014-2020

Call for proposals for action grants JUST-JCOO-CIVI-AG-2016: “Action grants to support national and transnational projects to foster judicial cooperation in civil matters”

Years: 2017-2019

Project’s duration: 24 months

Applicant: Resolutia – Gestione delle controversie (Italy)

Project Partners: Steinbeis Beratungszentren Gmbh (Germany), Mediatorzy (Poland), Prodos Consulting (Italy), Akademie für Mediation, Soziales und Recht der Steinbeis-Hochschule Berlin GmbH (Germany).

Project Abstract

The number of inheritance cases with cross-border implications is rapidly growing due to the increasing mobility of European citizens.
Despite the numerous initiatives carried out at EU level to promote mediation as a cost-effective solution to simplify cross-border disputes – namely the Directive 52/2008 and the Regulation 650/2012 – the extensive implementation of the EU provisions is still hindered by multiple obstacles, mainly related to the lack of a mediation “culture” in Member States.

In this framework, FOMENTO aims to promote a deeper understanding and the correct implementation of EU provisions in the context of cross-border civil and succession matters. The data collected through expert interviews and online surveys will be used to develop best practice proposals for dealing with conflict prevention and resolution.

Notably, the project is expected to deliver the following outcomes:
• Research report about changes and possible difficulties after the implementation of Succession Regulation and possible fields of application for mediation.
• Wide European network of professionals and stakeholders aimed at promoting further cooperation in the mediation field.
• Training events and workshops for mediators and legal professionals specifically intended to enhance the quality of mediation services.
• Guidelines and electronic booklets for EU professionals and citizens in 4 languages (English, German, Italian and Polish).
• Animated videos clearly providing information about the benefits of using alternative methods of international dispute resolution.

Website: www.fomentonet.eu

LAMETIA PDO

Disseminate and improve knowledge about PDO extra virgin olive oil

Project financed by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies

Year: 2016

Project’s duration: 15 months

Applicant: Consorzio di Tutela dell’Olio Extravergine di Oliva DOP Lametia – Consortium for the Protection of the Lametia PDO extra virgin olive oil (Italy)

Project Abstract

The Consortium for the Protection of the Lametia PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) extra virgin olive oil, gathers about 10 production realities belonging to Lametia Terme in the province of Catanzaro and produces an extremely valuable olive oil that has been awarded the PDO trademark by the European Union in 1999.

With a view to enhancing the value of agri-food products bearing the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labels as an essential resource for guaranteeing sustainable development of the territory, the Consortium intends to raise awareness among the final consumers about the origin, the properties and the relevant features of extra-virgin olive oil bearing the EU quality trademark in order to foster purchase and consumption preferences that are aware of and oriented to the quality of the product and the territory of origin.

The creative contents of the initiative are designed to develop an integrated image that involves the product, the territory, the actors of the supply chain and the institutions through effective forms of coordination. The goal is to evoke both the historical and cultural dimension of the territory of origin as well as the intrinsic qualities of the certified product.

In order to ensure maximum coverage of the initiative, the communication strategy will focus on the high potential offered by the web channels, such as social media and blogs. In addition, informational and recreational events will be held in the area, aimed at promoting the historical and cultural heritage lying at the heart of PDO and PGI certified products through effective forms of coordination with the various local players (producers, distributors, tourist offices, public administrations, accommodation facilities and other organizations).

SION – Servizio Nazionale di Accoglienza e Informazione in Oncologia 

National Oncology Reception and Information Service

Project funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Year: 2016

Applicant: Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro, parenti e amici (AIMaC) – Italian Association of Cancer Patients, their Relatives and Friends (Italy)

Project Abstract

For more than 15 years AIMaC has provided cancer patients and their families with personalized and exhaustive information through the National Service for Reception and Information in Oncology – SION. The service consists of a nationwide, network-based model for oncology information which helps promote the health literacy of citizens about cancer, improving awareness of their rights and of the resources provided by the system, the current state of research and health care.

The service is based on a network of 40 Information Points (IPs) set up in the oncology facilities of university polyclinics and hospitals. This interactive network represents an authoritative source of information allowing citizens, healthcare professionals and the media to access timely and relevant documentation for all topics related to cancer.

Thanks to the financial support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, AIMaC has implemented and strengthened the SION network to meet the increasing need for information and reception ever more effectively and more widely, allowing a greater number of citizens to access the service through improved usability and accessibility. The expected results have been successfully achieved through the implementation of three key actions:

• Expanding the network of Information Points in Italian cancer facilities;
• Updating the existing information and releasing new information material (brochures, flyers, DVDs), both in electronic and paper format;
• Training 140 voluntary operators at AIMaC information points to improve their communication and organizational skills.

YOUTH, actors of future in their community

Project funded by Chiesa Valdese – Unione delle Chiese Metodiste e Valdesi

Year: 2016

Project’s duration: 12 months

Applicant: NSGK – Ndihme Sociale Gruas Kryefamiljare (Albania)

Project Abstract

In rural areas of Albania the youth have few opportunities to achieve their goals and fulfil their aspirations. Young people receive little support from the community which usually regards them as troublesome rather than as an asset for the society.

NSGK, an Albanian association with a long experience in the field of social inclusion, democratization and human rights, intends to empower children and youth to be true agents of innovation and social change in their communities.

The project addressed important issues such as gender equality, child abuse, career development and sexual healthcare, through an innovative approach combining peer-to-peer training, dramatization, awareness-raising campaigns, art exhibitions. Effective methods and techniques were used during all training activities such as small group discussions, role plays and case studies.

The initiative involved over 700 students from 9 schools in the district of Kuçove.

TUTORED
Innovative Startups

Project funded by Regione Lazio under the Call for proposals “Fund for the creation and development of innovative start-ups” (L.R. 13/2013 – art. 6)

Year: 2016

Applicant: Tutored (Italy)

Project Abstract

Tutored is a social platform where university students can meet to improve their university life and accomplish all the priorities they set during their academic career, for example the selection of the University more in line with their educational needs, the preparation of tests and exams, or even the possibility of starting an Erasmus experience. Specifically, Tutored offers an online and offline tutoring service through which students who need support in preparing for an exam can plan lessons with a more advanced (or newly graduated) student from their own university who successfully passed the same exam.

Founded by three young people aged between 20 and 25, the innovative start-up based in Rome had already distinguished itself during the InnovAction Lab 2014, ranking in the nationwide top-10 startups of the accelerator program. In just 12 months of activity, Tutored has achieved excellent results in terms of users and growth, reaching: 450,000 unique monthly visitors in Italy; 150,000 unique monthly visitors in London and Berlin (service launched on December 1, 2015); an acquisition cost of € 0.01 per user; 3.5M page visits per month; 80,000 registered users: (of which 70,000 for news and 10,000 for tutoring, with a total of 7,000 bookings for tutoring).

As a result of its structured growth plan for 2015-2017, aimed at ensuring presence of the service in all Italian regions and activation in Europe and implementing additional services, Tutored was able to benefit from a direct grant from the Regione Lazio. The grant made use of the resources provided by the “Fund for the Creation and Development of Innovative Start-Ups”, dedicated to the development of new business projects, implemented by SMEs established or being established in throughout Lazio.

T.A.L.E.
Training Activities for Legal Experts on children rights

Project co-funded by the Euroopean Commission in the framework of the EU programme “Rights, Equality and Citizenship”, Action Grant JUST/2014/RCHI/AG/PROF/7052

Year: 2014

Project’s duration: 24 months

Applicant: Save the children Italy

Project Partners: Scuola superiore dell’Avvocatura (Italy); Organizatia Salvati Copiii (Save the Children Romania); Defence for Children International; Instituto de Apoio à Criança (Portugal); Merced Migraciones Foundation (Spain); Liverpool Law Clinic and European Children’s Rights Unit, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool (UK).

Project Abstract

T.A.L.E.‘s main objective was to offer specialized training for legal operators representing children in judicial proceedings, on international instruments aimed at promoting and protecting children’s rights and on the correct implementation of the Council of Europe Guidelines for a child-friendly justice. Furthermore, T.A.L.E. intended to promote the exchange of information and best practices concerning the rights of minors among legal professionals across Europe.

The training program was designed to provide theoretical and practical tools to lawyers representing children, also through the discussion of real case studies.

T.A.L.E. was based on a participatory approach focused on the voice of the children involved in judicial proceedings, in order to ensure the inclusion of their needs and points of view in the development of languages, tools and materials for training the lawyers who represent them.

One of the focus areas of the project was capacity-building through the organization of training workshops in each country involved, the development of online training modules and the dissemination of training materials tailored to the different legal contexts of EU Member States.

Project numbers: 100 selected lawyers from the major organizations took part in the training sessions; 1000 lawyers were the final beneficiaries of online training materials; 50 minors were involved in consultation activities.

CANCER ADVOCACY ACADEMY

Project funded by Chiesa Evangelica Valdese – Unione delle Chiese Metodiste e Valdesi

Year: 2015

Project’s duration: 12 months

Applicant: European Cancer Patient Coalition – ECPC (Belgium)

Project Partners: Cancer Patients Association of Slovenia (Slovenia); League Against Cancer Bitola – FYROM (Republic of Macedonia); Romanian Oncology Association “Saint Anna” (Romania); National Association of Patients with Oncological Diseases -APOZ (Bulgaria).

Project Abstract

The scientific literature has shown that adequate information allows cancer patients to become more aware of their illness, increasing adherence to and compliance with therapeutic prescriptions.

Today, new ICT technologies play a crucial role in guiding patients in the independent search for specific information on their state of health. However, on the Internet it is not an easy task to identify reliable information from the point of view of clinical and scientific accuracy and of unbiased news sources.

In this context, the project aimed to achieve the following objectives:

• Promoting accessibility to correct online information in countries where Internet access is inadequate, by providing hardware devices to organizations connected with ECPC.
• Developing an e-learning course, aimed at improving the ability of patients to use the web to access specialist and unbiased information sources, through the use of reliable databases.
• Empowering cancer patients to express their needs at the political level on a national and international scale through advocacy tools, social networks, websites, etc.

The project achieved excellent results, allowing the organizations involved in the initiative to gain greater visibility on social media, share best practices with other ECPC members, implement online awareness campaigns, create promotional materials, adequately guide and support their patients.

THE TREE OF LIFE

Project against the social exclusion of cancer patients, including the elderly, and their caregivers

Project funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior – Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration.

UNRRA Fund – Year 2013

Year: 2014

Project’s duration: 12 months

Applicant: Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro, parenti e amici – AIMAC  (Italian Association of Cancer Patients, their Relatives and Friends),  Italy

Project Abstract

In order to fully recognize people’s right to a dignified life and to play their full part in society, the “Tree of Life” project aims to work against the social exclusion of people with cancer, including the elderly and their caregivers, whether they are currently employed or not.

Through the implementation of information and training activities, the project aims to facilitate access by cancer patients and caregivers of all ages to social welfare services (integrated home care, ordinary home care, day care, comfort-giving initiatives, etc.), and to provide them with practical information on how to submit a disability allowance application.

The project also aims to ensure that oncology patients in working age and their caregivers can maintain their occupational position, allowing them to reconcile work and care.

The project aims to raise awareness ‒ among caregivers of elderly cancer patients – about the resources and services outside the family that support caregiving activities and to promote interaction between the elderly and young family members, caregivers and volunteers.

Main project activities and outputs:

• Production of the information booklet “Taking care of elderly cancer patients: supporting those who assist them”;
• Individual information campaigns through the activation of a dedicated Helpline service;
• Collective information activities through the distribution of specific information tools and materials at the AIMaC Information Points, active in the country’s major medical centers for oncology and Italian university polyclinics;
• Training for cancer assistance volunteers.

FOREIGN WOMEN CANCER CARE
A territorial network to facilitate access to screening services for female cancer prevention and care

Project funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior – Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration

European Fund for Integration of Third-Country Nationals 2007-2013

Year: 2012

Applicant: I.F.O. – Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri

Project Partners: Associazione Italiana Malati di Cancro, parenti e amici (AIMaC); Ospedale Generale “San Giovanni Calibita” Fatebenefratelli Casa Generalizia dell’Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Dio; CRS COOPERATIVA ROMA SOLIDARIETA’

Project Abstract

Recent epidemiological studies show that the incidence rate of cancer is related to the usability of prevention, early diagnosis and screening programs available (Pap test, VPH, mammography, and clinical breast examinations).

The statistics highlight that migrant women access screening services for prevention of female cancers to a lesser extent compared to Italian and thus arrive to effective treatment only in advanced stage of cancer, with a reduced chance of recovery.

In this framework, the pilot-project “Foreign Women Cancer Care” was aimed at facilitating the access of foreign women resident in Rome to the screening programs for the prevention and treatment of female tumors.

Specifically, the project aimed to reduce socio-cultural and economic barriers that hinder access to appropriate care, to increase awareness of foreign women in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of female cancers, to improve reception, assistance and counseling services and facilities, to foster the inclusion of migrant women in clinical trials and their active involvement in therapeutic choices.

The project, concluded in June 2014, raised a strong interest in many public and private institutions, that promoted awareness activities and made their operational structures and facilities available to screening and care services for migrant women.

Thanks to the activation of a territorial network involving private social and health institutions, migrant women have been informed and accompanied through existing prevention and care pathways.

The project produced remarkable results (2000 oriented women, 150 women effectively hospitalized for screening tests, early diagnosis of 8 cancers, diagnostic and therapeutic pathways activated; 100 free doses of HPV vaccine administered) and enabled important best practices (public/private alliance, strong cooperation between health operators and migrant communities).

Website: www.womencancercare.it