European Projects

In the first months of 2020, as COVID-19 infections were rising all over the world, entrepreneurs and employers have been asked to close their activities and, if possible, to transfer all of their work online, forcing them to implement telecommuting solutions that, in many cases, have never been experienced before. A comprehensive sample of results emerging from EU sources[1], confirm that EU SMEs and their internal workforce lack a strong and reliable digital/ICT culture (specifically those located in the Mediterranean and Balkan area); a skill-lag that throughout the post-crisis exacerbated pre-existing gaps in terms of opportunities for long-term financial sustainability. EU SMEs are the most affected by the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: Europe is “closed for business”, and while large companies have systems in place to implement telecommuting and smart work, SMEs (especially microenterprises) do not have ICT systems in place nor policies for their staff to work remotely. SWIFT SME tackles the challenge to equip micro and SMEs all across Europe with tools and means to embrace telecommuting as a new competitive solution to operate in the new business scenarios. The 2-years project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission and reunites a consortium of six organisation from five countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Romania and Spain). [1] Data refers to the Eurostat. Individuals’ level of digital skills, 2019 & The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020 As the first project’s result, the strategic partnership developed, tested and published online the official Open Educational Resource (OER) Platform. The SWIFT SME’s Platform is in multilanguage version and its consultation is completely free with no log-in credentials required; throughout the following two years, the OER Platform will publish the milestones achieved by the partnership, namely: Transnational analysis from secondary and primary sources mapping quantitative and qualitative dynamics related to the phenomenon of smart working and telecommuting among microentrepreneurs and SMEs Training tools and operational solutions to facilitate a smooth transition towards new business models embracing the paradigm of remote working Uptake guidelines to sustain the replicability of the project so to wide-spread SWIT SME’s impacts beyond its natural life cycle Extremely relevant is also the COMMUNITY section of the Platform: private and public stakeholders in the domain of Entrepreneurship, digital training, business consultancy, etc., will be able to join the community of practice of SWIFT SME while remaining updated on projects’ results and achievements. For further information on SWIFT SME: https://www.swiftsme.eu/ https://www.facebook.com/SWIFT-SME-104501944845553

The consortium joined the online Kick-Off meeting of SWIFT SME – Smart Working: Innovative & Flexible Training for SMEs, a project co-financed by Erasmus+ Programme On November 30, 2020, the consortium joined the online Kick-Off Meeting of SWIFT SME (Smart Working: Innovative & Flexible Training for SMEs), a Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, which brings together six Partners from five countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Romania and Spain). The Kick-Off Meeting, hosted by the Centrum fur Innovation und Technologie GmbH (CIT) and Institut De Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires asbl (IHF), was originally planned in Brussels, but has been rescheduled online due to COVID-19 restrictions. EU SMEs represent the backbone of the EU economy. Yet, they are also the least prepared to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and the related lockdown measures. Contrarily to large companies, SMEs are ill equipped for the shift to remote work, lacking as they are both ICT systems and policies to ensure business continuity. According to the latest figures, less than 15% of EU SMEs are ready to implement Smart Working arrangements (European Commission). The European Commission acknowledged the pressing need to make SMEs competitive and resilient by providing them with ICT solutions and practices to implement Smart Working. Not only is this transition an absolute necessity, but it also constitutes an opportunity, as it allows businesses to increase their efficiency and improve their employees’ working conditions (Eurofound/ILO). The SWIFT project stands as a concrete response to the pressing need of equipping SMEs with new, innovative and “agile” business models. SWIFT specifically targets this most vulnerable yet essential segment of European economies to bridge the skill gap and make SMEs more flexible, responsive, efficient and thus able to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis and in the post-pandemic world. SWIFT will capitalise on the valuable experience of its consortium partners to provide SMEs with skills, competences and tailored solutions to successfully implement Smart Working arrangements. In particular, partners will carry out the following activities: a) Develop the SWIFT OER Platform, a repository of knowledge accessible to all, free of charge, in full Open Access mode and in multilingual versions (DE, EN, IT, RO, ES) b) Develop a shared methodology for the mapping of current trends, threats and opportunities (including technical, operational and human resource implications) and then consolidate the findings in a final report on the basis of which the training and tools will be designed c) Develop the SWIFT training courses, handouts, operational tools and guidelines for European SMEs to adapt and implement Smart Working so as to stay afloat, be more responsive, efficient and competitive, all the while improving the work-life balance of their employees. d) Deliver the training to 120 target groups and collect feedback to fine tune the material created e) Develop guidelines to facilitate the uptake of SWIFT and its mainstreaming in VET and SME ecosystems f) Put forward policy options to promote Smart Working and competitiveness of SMEs For further information on SWIFT SME: http://www.swiftsme.eu/ https://www.facebook.com/SWIFT-SME-104501944845553

Presented results from Erasmus+ Project PREDICT On 26.11.2020 in hotel Holiday Inn in Skopje amultiplier event was held in the scope of the PREDICT project – Prevention ofDisasters ICT (informatics and computer technologies) implemented within theErasmus+ programme of the European Union (KA201-Strategic Partnership forschool education). During the multiplier event, there was a presentation of theresults from the research conducted within Intellectual Output 1 “Creation of amethodological framework (training and desktop research) regarding inclusivetraining of children, youth, and persons with disabilities”.   The results referred to the curricula analyses in primary, secondary and special schools in Macedonia, Spain and Bulgaria,analyses of semi-structured interviews with experts from schools, crisis management, and protection and rescue institutions in the mentioned countries, as well as research questionnaires filled-in by participants with or without disabilities in the role of students and pupils in primary, secondary, and pecial schools in each of the countries. Beside the representatives from project partner institutions, the event was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defense, Crisis Management Center, Radiation Safety Directorate, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation, “St. Clement of Ohrid” University, Faculty of Security, representatives from primary and secondary schools, and NGOs.   The Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” is the coordinating institution in this international project, which also includes the participation of the IT company IT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL from Malaga, Spain, the Chief Directorate Fire Safety and Civil Protection from Sofia, Bulgaria, as well as the primary school “Stiv Naumov” from Skopje, and the state school center for education and rehabilitation “Partenij Zografski” from Skopje. Nikola Kletnikov, MA from the Military Academy is the Project Coordinator.  The aim of the project is to empower improvement of the inclusive approach and non-discriminating participation of children, youth, and persons with disabilities in prevention and crisis situations and risks management via formal and informal education, training, as well as by creating a mobile application adapted to different age groups and different types of disabilities.