The fourth transnational meeting, took place on the 14th and 15th of September 2023, Nicosia, Cyprus with Hub Nicosia as the host. This gathering of dedicated project members was not only an opportunity to discuss project progress but also an occasion for team building and the reinforcement of shared values.
Day One: Connecting Through Values and Project Updates
The meeting began with a warm welcome from the host, HUB Nicosia, setting the stage for a day filled with valuable interactions. The agenda commenced with a unique team-building activity by CEDRA’s project manager, focused on enhancing communication and strengthening the bonds within the project team. Participants were divided into four groups, each comprising members from different organizations and countries. The goal was to connect individuals who might know the least about each other, fostering new relationships and shared understanding. The activity encouraged participants to express their personal values and collectively define a meaningful identity for the project team. Understanding each other’s values was recognized as instrumental in effective communication and building connections, key elements in the success of a network-driven project like BC4ESE.
Following the team-building activity, the meeting proceeded with presentations on various project components:
Project Management and Implementation: CEDRA team provided a comprehensive overview of project progress, emphasizing major tasks and timelines. Upcoming conference calls and the next transnational meeting in Montenegro were discussed, along with a review of budget expenditures.
Quality Management of the Project and Coordination (including Dissemination): ADP Zid presented an overview of progress, focusing on communication and event quality. Three communication assessments and three six-month implementation reports had been completed. The third Quality Report highlighted outstanding results, with high praise for the organization’s timeliness and communication effectiveness.
Quality Management of Research, Production, and Project Results: Diesis staff discussed the progress of this activity, emphasizing lessons learned from previous assessments. Partners highlighted improvements in quality and organization, particularly in the development of Output 2 (O2). Developing scenarios proved challenging for all partners but offered valuable learning experiences as agreed by everyone.
Dissemination & Exploitation: CDP Globus summarized the results of the dissemination report, highlighting significant impact achieved through social media activities and newsletters. Partners discussed upcoming multiplier events in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, setting the stage for future dissemination efforts.
ICTs and Digital Innovations Management: The website’s progress was presented by the activity leaders, Young Ambssadors, with updates in line with project developments. Future steps included uploading games and content related to Output 3 (O3).
Training & Learning Activities Methodology: HUB Nicosia provided guidelines for the implementation of training and learning events. The objectives, target groups, recruitment procedures, and organizational aspects of these activities were detailed, reaffirming the commitment to empowering young people and promoting learning.
Day One concluded with a reflective team-building activity in Nicosia’s city center, creating an opportunity for participants to further bond and discuss the common values identified earlier in the day. The activity culminated in a delightful dinner at a traditional restaurant, where partners had the chance to savor local flavors and strengthen their connections.
Day Two: Project Outputs and Future Plans
On the 15th of September 2023, the second day of the BC4ESE project’s fourth transnational meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus, continued with another exciting lineup of presentations and discussions. The day was dedicated to reviewing project outputs and planning for the future.
Educational Production E-Book “Gamified Eco-Entrepreneurship Education”(O2): The first presentation of the day focused on the dissemination efforts for O2, the educational production e-book. Project partners discussed their dissemination activities, with some having already initiated dissemination via various channels. A unanimous agreement was reached to continue disseminating the output through mailing lists, third-party events, social media, websites, and, notably, through upcoming multiplier events scheduled for October in Bosnia and Montenegro.
Interactive Web Platform Eco-SE-E-Lab(O3): CEDRA, as the leader of the Open Educational Resource (OER), provided an overview of the progress made in developing O3. The project had successfully initiated the first phase, which was almost completed according to the project timeline. Each partner then presented the games they had developed for the platform. A productive discussion followed, with partners providing oral feedback and suggestions for improvement. Notably, the first game was nearing completion across all partners, while the second game was undergoing peer review.
Online Non-Formal Education Training(O4): Young Ambassadors presented a comprehensive timeline for the development of O4, the Online Non-Formal Education Training. This output was scheduled to start in April 2024 and continue until November 2024. The initial steps for development included designing the base document for a two-day professional development program by Young Ambassadors. The key stages outlined were:
-Selecting 10-15 entrepreneurship topics for youth workers’ skills development.
-Developing one workshop on a chosen topic by each partner.
-Conducting peer reviews.
-Planning a Training & Learning Activities (TTLA) event for O4, which would coincide with the final transnational meeting in Serbia.
Further discussions regarding O4’s development were earmarked for the transnational project meeting in Montenegro, scheduled for February 2024.
General Discussion and Q&A: The general discussion and Q&A session that followed were concise, as most queries and concerns had been addressed during the previous presentations. Partners left the meeting with clear action items and a well-defined roadmap for their future endeavors.
Next Steps and Evaluation: The project’s next meeting was scheduled for February 2024 in Montenegro. Additionally, a conference call regarding IO3 development was planned for October 2023. The meeting’s evaluation would be initiated and reported by ADP ZID, with surveys shared among all partners by the end of October.
The fourth transnational meeting in Nicosia was a pivotal milestone for the BC4ESE project, showcasing the team’s unwavering commitment to eco-social entrepreneurship and collective collaboration. Through comprehensive project updates and discussions, it became evident that shared values, effective communication, and the strengthening of inter-partner relationships were paramount. As the project advances, these essential foundations will continue to fuel its success in the promotion of sustainable and socially responsible entrepreneurship. Keep an eye out for upcoming updates from BC4ESE as they progress toward a future that embraces environmental and social consciousness.