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Partners

Learn more about the six partners from five countries that make up the consortium of the Participa City project.

Institut für angewandte Kulturforschung e.V.

Ifak e.V. is a non-governmental organization founded in 1988, based in Göttingen, Germany. The organisation focuses on two main areas: migration-related projects and global education for sustainable development. Ifak is dedicated to fostering intercultural competencies, supporting migrants and asylum seekers, and promoting awareness of global issues through education. 

Ifak’s extensive experience in migration, education, and anti-racism efforts makes it a key contributor to the Participa City project, particularly in adapting the game for a European audience.

Areas of Expertise and Activities

Migration and Integration:

Ifak provides individual counselling for asylum seekers, aiming to improve their access to the labour market and residency status. The organization collaborates with local administrations, companies, and social authorities to offer training on legal frameworks and anti-discrimination practices.
Key projects include:

  • FairBleib: Ongoing support for asylum seekers since 2008, addressing systemic racism and advocating for equitable treatment.
  • Cultural Interpreters: Training migrants to act as bridges between their cultures of origin and German society.

Education for Global Development:
Ifak runs an education program for returnees from development cooperation and volunteer services, training them to deliver workshops on global issues in schools and other institutions. Topics include sustainability, racism, and diversity. The organisation also works to integrate global education into school curricula.

Anti-Racism Initiatives:
Ifak has developed and implemented projects addressing racism, with a particular focus on Islamophobia. Key initiatives include:

  • RADIPRÄV: Workshops and public events raising awareness about racism against Muslims and providing training for institutions.
  • Partizipa City: A simulation game based on real-life cases, designed to help participants reflect on racism through everyday scenarios in a fictional city.
blinc eG

blinc eG (blended learning institutions’ cooperative) is a German cooperative based in Göttingen, established in 2005 as a start-up network. Emerging from EU-funded projects in health, social, environmental, and youth sectors, blinc specialises in Competence Oriented Learning and Validation (COL&V) with a focus on innovative, technology-supported blended learning approaches.

blinc’s extensive expertise in blended learning, competence validation, and sustainable development makes it a valuable partner for initiatives like Participa City. With a rich history of designing innovative projects, both locally and internationally, and an experienced team of specialists, blinc is well-equipped to contribute to impactful educational and social change.

Areas of Expertise and Activities

Innovative Learning and Validation Fields:
Developing and applying competence-oriented learning methods.

Supporting Mobility and Young Entrepreneurship:
Designing initiatives for youth and professionals.

Sustainability and Modern Content Development:
Creating materials and programs focused on circular economy, design thinking, entrepreneurship education, CSR, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Blended Learning Systems and Innovations:

  • Utilising holistic, technology-supported learning tools.
  • Designed collaborative learning programs for higher education institutions in the Balkans through projects like REBUS and e-VIVA.
  • Specialised in experimental and informal learning methodologies tailored to diverse target groups.

LEVEL5 Competence Validation:

  • Adapted for use in professional development (e.g., service sectors, HR, and education).
  • Piloted in interdisciplinary projects for mobility learning, CSR, and education.
Know and Can Ltd.

Know and Can Ltd. is a licensed career guidance and training organization established in 2013, based in Bulgaria. The organization is an accredited provider of adult education and a licensed training center under the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. With a focus on formal and non-formal education, Know and Can Ltd. conducts training for educators, youth, and adults, including marginalized groups such as the Roma community. The team comprises highly experienced staff and external consultants in psychology, pedagogy, and career guidance.

Know and Can Ltd.’s comprehensive expertise in education, career counseling, and project management, combined with its strong commitment to inclusion and quality, makes it an invaluable partner in this initiative.

Areas of Expertise and Activities

Training and Education:

  • Formal education courses.
  • Non-formal education workshops on topics such as soft skills, civic education, entrepreneurship, human rights, and burn-out prevention.
  • Programs to boost the professional skills and well-being of educators.

Career Counseling and Vocational Guidance:

  • Tailored guidance for young people and adults to enhance employability and workplace skills.
  • Special focus on assisting disadvantaged groups, particularly Roma communities, with methodologies and materials designed to improve key competencies.

Project Development and Management:

  • Participation in national and European educational projects promoting active citizenship, leadership, and integration.
  • Development of methodologies, toolkits, and training courses to address specific educational needs.

Inclusive Education:

  • Promotion of equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or other characteristics.
  • Collaboration with intercultural and health mediators to support Roma communities.

International Collaboration:

  • Educational tourism, student internships, and mobility projects across Europe.
  • Partnerships with stakeholders and institutions to promote non-formal education.
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Storytellme

Storytellme, founded in 2014, is a creative enterprise specialising in digital literacy, educational project management, and the development of personalised children’s books and illustrated narratives. The organisation creates innovative digital educational resources and concepts to enhance learning experiences. By leveraging methodologies like Design Thinking, Storytelling, and Creative Design, Storytellme provides unique solutions for formal and non-formal education initiatives. It is well-regarded for its expertise in media production, video, illustration, and animation for engaging learning environments.

Storytellme focuses on enhancing digital skills, promoting entrepreneurship, fostering sustainability, and encouraging creative potential in children and families. Its dedication to innovative solutions, coupled with a strong international network and expertise in project management, makes Storytellme a key player in fostering inclusive and impactful education.

Areas of Expertise and Activities

Digital and Creative Solutions for Education:

  • Development of interactive resources such as personalized children’s books and creative narratives.
  • Use of storytelling, animated graphics, and engagement platforms to create immersive educational experiences.

Non-formal Education Initiatives:

  • Projects focused on female entrepreneurship, circular economy education, and digital skills development.
  • Conducting hackathons, workshops, and seminars to inspire creativity and problem-solving.

European Project Engagement:

  • Active participation in European initiatives since 2017, contributing to diverse fields like sustainability, mental health, employability, and family well-being.
  • Projects include TAMUS (mental health support for families), Matrix (youth unemployment and employability), CicloSchools (circular economy in schools), and SustainED (university programs on sustainability and the circular economy).
  • Successfully completed numerous European projects, including FIGHT THE FRIGHT, SEBI, GAME OF PHONES, INSPIRE US, and CIVIL JOURNALIST.

Ecosystem and Networks:

  • Over 4,000 clients and active partnerships within European networks.
  • Formerly part of the StartupLisboa ecosystem, which nurtures innovative startups, and currently incubated at the Núcleo Empresarial de Almada Velha, which supports creative and scalable enterprises.
  • Membership in the Mulheres à Obra community, connecting over 160,000 women entrepreneurs.
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GRDR
Migration – Citoyenneté – Développement

GRDR Migration – Citoyenneté – Développement, established in 1969, is an international NGO that focuses on promoting local development in connection with migration. The organization works to support migrants in both their host territories and their regions of origin, emphasizing the value of transnational interdependencies. GRDR’s approach combines localized action, knowledge production, and advocacy to foster inclusion and sustainable development.

GRDR operates across two primary regions:

  • France: Offices in Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and Upper Normandy to address issues of integration, inclusion, and international solidarity.
  • Africa: Presence in eight countries, including Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, supporting co-development and sustainable practices.

The organization’s work is centered on two strategic pillars:

  1. Human Mobility: Advocating for the recognition of migrants as full citizens in both host and home countries, promoting the positive impacts of migration.
  2. Citizen Governance: Empowering local actors to participate in decision-making processes and fostering grassroots-led development.

GRDR offers extensive experience in migration-focused initiatives, grassroots engagement, and informal education methods. The organization’s deep understanding of migration dynamics and its commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable societies make it a valuable partner in addressing migration, social inclusion, and development challenges.

Activities and Expertise

Inclusion and Social Integration:

  • Support for migrant associations and their activities.
  • Initiatives to foster professional integration through entrepreneurship and access to rights.

Education and Advocacy:

  • Programs promoting global citizenship education for youth.
  • Awareness campaigns to counter stereotypes and discrimination against migrants.
  • Intercultural training for professionals working with migrant populations.

Sustainable Development and International Solidarity:

  • Collaboration with European organizations to align migration initiatives with sustainable development goals (SDGs).
  • Building networks to strengthen partnerships between local and international stakeholders.
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SwIdeas AB

SwIdeas AB is an education consultancy firm based in Sweden, established in 2013. The organization specializes in consulting services within education, research, and organizational development. Through strategic planning, mentorship, and coaching services, SwIdeas focuses on fostering lifelong learning, social inclusion, and sustainable impact in the realms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and social development.

SwIdeas operates through two main units:

  1. Development Services: Focused on sustainable development projects, social inclusion, and adult learning.
  2. Business Services: Provides tailored solutions for business growth and organizational development.

SwIdeas employs education and learning as tools for social change, aiming to improve access to education in diverse thematic areas. The organisation focuses on inclusion and responsible business practices, often incorporating digital skills and competencies into their projects. Key target groups include youth, migrant women, entrepreneurs, and small-scale social enterprises.

SwIdeas has extensive experience in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and adult learning and collaborates with local businesses, learning centers, and start-ups to advance social and environmental change. In 2023, the organization received Erasmus+ accreditation in Adult Education from the Swedish Council for Higher Education.

SwIdeas brings unique expertise in fostering inclusion, promoting lifelong learning, and integrating digital skills into education. Their team’s experience in international development, non-discrimination, and adult education ensures their ability to drive meaningful social change through innovative and sustainable approaches.

Activities and Expertise

SwIdeas has a strong track record of implementing projects that combine non-formal education approaches with social inclusion and competency development. Some notable initiatives include:

ALL IN (Language and Culture Education):

  • Developed training courses for language and culture teachers to support immigrant and refugee students.
  • Created a manual for effective language and culture programs for migrants.
  • Produced a YouTube documentary featuring immigrant success stories to combat discrimination and misinformation.

Notable Projects:

  • Digital Practices for Inclusive Programs (DPIP)
  • Assessing Competencies for Future (SCOUT)
  • Skills to Maximize Inclusion through Interpretation and Mediation
  • European Dialogue for Active Citizenship (EDACate)
  • Migrant in Fashion
  • Women in Creative Power (WICP)
  • Richness in Diversity

Focus Areas:

  • Competency development for diverse groups.
  • Social and economic inclusion through collaborative European projects.
  • Promoting digital skills, active citizenship, and sustainable development.
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