PROJECTS

Project Title

Craft2Grow: Developing Soft Skills through the Art of Sustainable Fashion

Project No. 2025-1-MK01-KA210-ADU-000353047

Project duration: 01.12.2025 – 30.11.2026 Partners:

• MATA Skopje (MK) – Coordinator
• INTRA MENTIS (BG)
• HaridusCollegium MTÜ (EE)

Project Summary:

The project develops a modular curriculum, digital learning resources, and hands-on workshops that use sustainable fashion as a tool to build adults’ soft skills, strengthen educators’ teaching capacities, and promote sustainability across communities.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

Empower adult learners and educators with essential soft skills and sustainable practices by creating a dynamic learning environment centered around sustainable fashion. Craft2Grow aims to create a hands-on educational program where participants, including those facing greater barriers to accessing education, can develop soft competencies and promote ecological practices (re-use of clothing and nurturing of traditional crafts) that can be passed on to future generations.

By focusing on sustainable fashion as a learning context, Craft2Grow addresses the immediate need for soft skills. It aims to enhance adult learners' skills and elevate educators' teaching skills, impacting education and community engagement.

WHAT ARE OUR SPECIFIC GOALS?

- Develop a comprehensive curriculum that integrates soft skills with sustainable fashion practices

- Train educators and trainers to deliver this innovative curriculum effectively, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for adult learners, also from disadvantaged groups

- Enhance learner engagement by creating practical, hands-on opportunities to apply soft skills in real-world contexts, particularly in sustainable fashion

- Foster a community of practice that encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continued learning among participants and educators

Objectives:

- Equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate sustainability and soft skills into their teaching of various adults

- Increase adult learners’ soft skills competencies through engaging, practical activities related to sustainable fashion

- Promote sustainable practices within communities, contributing to broader environmental goals

Project Results

Tangible Results

• 1 comprehensive curriculum combining soft skills with sustainable fashion
• 10 digital learning materials available freely online
• 30 trained educators (10 per partner)
• 60 adult learners participating in hands-on workshops
• Assessment toolkit for soft skills progress
• 3 digital tool trainings
• 9 community-based learner projects led by disadvantaged adults
• Boot camp involving at least 50 stakeholders
• 6 webinars, 18 EPALE articles, 50 reels, 3 peer learning sessions

Intangible Results

• Increased soft skills: teamwork, communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence
• Higher educator capacity to teach soft skills & sustainability
• Improved sustainability awareness among adults
• Community engagement in a circular fashion and eco-friendly behaviour
• Strengthened cooperation between partners and stakeholders

The primary target groups for this project are:

1. Educators and Trainers

Educators responsible for teaching adults from disadvantaged backgrounds will be equipped with innovative tools and curricula to foster soft skills and sustainability. This group includes:

∙ Trainers and educators from MATA, HaridusCollegium, and INTRA MENTIS, as well as their collaborators.

∙ Mentors, tutors, and teachers engaged in adult learning.

∙ Professionals supporting adults through informal workshops and mobilities in sustainable fashion.

Providing engaging, hands-on teaching tools will enhance adult education methodologies, making soft skills more accessible and applicable to real-world scenarios.

2. Adult Learners

The project will support diverse adult learners at different life stages:

∙ Young Adults (18-35): At a critical career and personal development stage, this group is open to learning about sustainability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills while mentoring older participants.

∙ Older Adults (55+): This group faces digital skill challenges and will receive tailored workshops to bridge the digital divide, promote independence, and enhance well-being.

Ensuring Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups

This project will actively support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from low-income households, rural areas, and migrant communities. Strategies include:

∙ Partnering with local community organizations to reach learners facing economic or social barriers.

∙ Providing translated materials to support non-native speakers and ensure accessibility.

∙ Flexible workshop formats (online & in-person) to accommodate learners with mobility restrictions or childcare responsibilities.

∙ Special outreach for women and older adults, ensuring equal access to sustainable fashion education.

Selection Criteria

Participants will be selected based on the following:

1. Relevance – Educators should have experience or interest in adult education, soft skills, or sustainability; learners should be motivated to improve soft skills and engage in lifelong learning.
2. Inclusion & Diversity – Priority will be given to participants from diverse backgrounds (gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnicity), ensuring geographical balance and equal opportunities.
3. Commitment to EU Values – Participants should demonstrate support for democracy, equality, sustainability, and community-building.
4. Motivation – Strong interest in personal and professional development and applying new skills in real-world settings.
5. Digital Readiness – Willingness to use digital tools; basic digital literacy is preferred.

An open call for applications, reviewed by a partner's selection committee, will ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process. Whenever educators, teachers, adult participants, and students are mentioned, the project ensures gender inclusivity, supporting both men and women equally.

PROJECT TITLE: EDUCATION ON THE ROAD – MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN ADULT EDUCATION

ADULT EDUCATION SECTOR, project No. 2025-1-PL01-KA220-ADU-000354492

IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 1.11.2025-31.10.2027

COUNTRIES: POLAND, MACEDONIA, ITALY, FINLAND

5 PARTNERS:

FERI - coordinator

PARTNERS:

Green Industry Foundation, Warsaw, Poland

BABAHUSKY Oy, Rovaniemi, Finlandia

Association of citizens for improvement of artisans’ work and handicrafts „MATA”, Skopje, Macedonia

ASSOCIAZIONE SLOW TOURISM ALTO ADIGE, Bolzano, Italy

Project Summary

WHAT GOALS DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE TOGETHER:

1. DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL AND GREEN COMPETENCES AMONG ADULT MOBILE PARTICIPANTS

We will equip adults 55+ with key digital and ecological skills, adapted to the realities of a changing society. Seniors and people from disadvantaged groups are particularly vulnerable to exclusion. As many as 88 million people in the EU are at risk of social marginalization (Eurostat, 2023).

2. DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO-CREDENTIALS AS MOTIVATION FOR EDUCATION

Micro-credentials will be a flexible tool for validating competencies acquired in non-formal education. Participants will earn micro-credentials in various competencies. We focus on digital skills and social and cultural competencies. A digital portfolio will make it easier to document progress and strengthen their involvement in the learning process.

3. MAKING INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY INCLUSIVE

We adapt training programs for implementation during educational trips. We take into account the needs of our target groups. We create inclusive scenarios for educational trips. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE, 2023) reports that adults actively engaged in non-formal education are 40% more likely to pursue their passions, participate in social activities, and volunteer. This translates into their better well-being and social integration. We build programs that develop competencies through direct experiences and intercultural interactions.

4. SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS IN THE ORGANISATION OF MOBILITY

We will provide educators with practical tools and a guide to facilitate mobility planning and competency validation. We will develop training modules, a micro-credential system, and a space for the exchange of experiences to improve the quality of mobile education.

5. PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING

We encourage adults to non-formal education. According to an OECD report (2023), non-formal education improves adults' quality of life, increasing their satisfaction by 25%, highlighting the value of project activities.

KEY RESULTS

∙ Educator's guide to Open Badge-compliant microcredentials

∙ 6 mobile education scenarios with educational enclosure

∙ workshops with mobility staff – mentoring and testing

∙ 1 Conference, 4 workshops in non-partner countries, and webinars

∙ 40 articles, interviews, and infographics

∙ 6 videos and podcasts

∙ better preparing participants to function in the digital and green world

∙ improving the quality of mobile education

∙ greater awareness of participants and educators about micro-credentials

Project Title:

 ReSkill50 Digital Transformation and Reintegration into the Job World for Creative Women Over 50

Project No. 2025- KA210-VET-4B738C01

Project duration: November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2027

Partners:

Slow Tourism Alto Adige (Italy) – Project Coordinator Based in Bolzano, Slow Tourism specializes in entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism, and professional integration for women. They lead project coordination and provide expertise in entrepreneurial coaching and soft-skills development.

Center for Knowledge Management (North Macedonia) CKM is a research and VET organization specializing in digital transformation. They are responsible for designing the project's AI-driven e-learning platform and connecting participants with business incubators and investors.

MATA (North Macedonia) The Association of Citizens for Improvement of Artisans’ Work and Handicrafts has over 20 years of experience in the creative sector. MATA coordinates the mentorship program and focuses on career counseling and empowering women through craft and design.

Associated Partners The project is also supported by the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce of Bolzano, who assist in engaging local industries and refining the mentorship model.

Project Summary

In a rapidly digitizing economy, experience matters—but so do digital skills. Our project connects these two worlds by offering specialized training, innovative mentorship, and professional networking to help women re-enter the workforce or launch their own creative businesses.

What We Do:

∙ Upskill: Providing training in AI, digital marketing, and e-commerce tailored for the creative sector.

∙ Connect: Linking women with young digital mentors and industry employers.

∙ Empower: Fighting ageism and professional isolation through a supportive European network.

Our Mission ReSkill50 aims to pioneer a sustainable learning and networking model that helps women bridge this gap. We believe that innovation is about connecting the dots between generations and skills.

Our Approach We move beyond traditional training by implementing three core pillars:

1. Specialized Digital Training: A modular curriculum covering Artificial Intelligence (AI) for creatives, digital design, online business models, and financial literacy. This is delivered through a flexible e-learning platform.
2. Reverse Mentoring: We are flipping the script on mentorship. In our unique program, young, digital-native professionals mentor women 50+ on digital tools and AI, while the experienced women share their industry wisdom and business strategies with the younger generation.
3. Structured Networking: We organize events to connect participants directly with employers, investors, and peers in the creative industries to foster job placements and business partnerships.

Who Is This For? This project is designed for women aged 50–64 who are:

∙ Unemployed but experienced in fields like design, art, writing, or fashion.

Transitioning from traditional jobs into the creative industries.

∙ Entrepreneurs looking to freelance or start a small business.

∙ Coming from disadvantaged backgrounds or facing obstacles such as language barriers.

Project Results:

Over the next 24 months (2025–2027), we are committed to delivering tangible outcomes for our participants and the wider creative sector.

Expected Outcomes:

∙ Certification: 80% of participants will achieve certification in AI, marketing, or e-commerce.

∙ Employment: We aim for 30% of participants to successfully use their new skills to find employment, freelance work, or start a business within six months of training.

∙ Mentorship: 50% of participants will actively engage in cross-generational "reverse mentorship" sessions.

Key Deliverables:

∙ A Modular Training Curriculum: Focusing on AI for creatives, digital marketing, and financial literacy.

∙ An E-Learning Platform: An open-access hub for live and recorded training sessions.

∙ A Reverse Mentorship Guide: A replicable model for intergenerational learning in the creative sector.

∙ Professional Network: A lasting network of employers and creatives connecting Italy and North Macedonia.