<< Background >>It can take 500 to 800 years for a non-organic menstrual product and baby diapers to break down. It is estimated that such products are 90% plastic making them impossible to biodegrade in the environment. The EU ranks sanitary products as the 5th most common single-use waste in its marine environment. In a similar vein, researchers from the University of Manchester (2020) recorded the highest ever accumulation of microplastics discovered on the seafloor (it was found 1.9 mill plastic pieces/square metre). Evidence shows that the most severe impact from the sanitary items in the EU is to be found in their ingestion by marine animals, chemical and microbial contamination of river and sea waters, the economic impact on tourism and fisheries (European Commission). Alongside the negative environmental impact and hazards that menstrual products cause, access to such products should not be taken for granted for all those who need them (Zero Waste Europe, 2018; Kulczyk Foundation, 2020). By not affording such products can lead to a more severe impact on the health and wellbeing of women and girls, particularly among those coming from vulnerable communities.FEMECO designs and implements an innovative high-performing digital education ecosystem that capitalizes and enhances adult education and higher education resources for delivering quality online learning experiences and make them accessible to learners around the EU. The project aims to cultivate green and entrepreneurship skills for women of any age and motivate them to deploy these skills for their small-scale green and social enterprises. The project embraces the digital transition, fosters a future-oriented approach and provides adult education institutions with long-sought solutions. It addresses issues such as effective digital capacity planning and development, resource pooling, digital teaching and pedagogies, open educational material, accessibility and inclusion, use of innovative tools and immersive technologies. ADULT EDUCATION SECTOR NEEDSDuring the outbreak of the global pandemic, adult education and training have faced huge challenges. The mass use and rapid transformation of technology has revealed gaps, exposed weaknesses and in parallel has unleased opportunities and potential. According to the European Association for Education of Adults (EAEA), outreach to adult learners, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, has become both more urgent and challenging. Concomitantly, for some communities, the global pandemic has triggered solidarity and more willingness for non-formal educational opportunities (EAEA, 2020). During the travel restrictions and long-term lockdowns across the EU, novel initiatives and new formats in adult learning have emerged, usually by devising online/distance learning. This is the potential that FEMECO seeks to contribute through its results.NEW SKILL NEEDSThe right skills for jobs are key for the transition to environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economies. Those who do not possess such skills are the ones that often need them most. Major skill gaps and skills shortages have been well-documented in green jobs and industry (ILO & CEDEFOP, 2010). A transformation towards a greener economy is inevitable and anticipated to result in profound transitions across sectors and occupations, which could augment inequalities among individuals, companies and regions.Adult education center can play a decisive role. Green skills are anticipated to create new jobs in the green industry that could produce employment opportunities and prevent net job losses (ILO, 2015). Adult education providers should be capable to deliver high-quality training programmes that align people and their needs with the needs of the green economy and labour market. FEMECO suggests that this can better be achieved through the pooling of resources and the employment of Open Educational Resources and Pedagogies.<< Objectives >>The FEMECO project is a high-performing digital education ecosystem that is based on Open Education Resources (OER) and Open Educational Practices which aims to develop and deliver quality online learning experiences and make them easily and freely accessible to learners across the EU. Its aim is to address and tackle the damaging consequences that our daily consumption habits have on the environment and offer eco-friendly and sustainable solutions in order to respond the problem. FEMECO will offer solutions for adult education and life-long learning providers and supplement them with digital content which is more asynchronous learning opportunities in existing courses on green skills and sustainable development. By leveraging ready-made online resources adult education and life-long learning institutions can capitalize on existing resources and support adult learners’ learning.The specific project objectives are the following:- To develop a unique, state-of-the-art, technology-enhanced online training program on how to make reusable hygiene products & baby diapers - To cultivate green skills and provide social entrepreneurship opportunities and education for women - To raise awareness to the wider public and promote a more sustainable way of lifestyle and consumption behaviour about hygiene products.- To promote high quality, learner-centred adult learning programmes that allows for learner autonomy, flexible and engaging.In addition, the project dissemination and exploitation activities are expected to promote: • the sustainability and possible commercialization of the Campus after the end of EU funding. • the widest dissemination of knowledge from the project, including the capacity to design, develop, share and offer high-quality online VET courses through the employment of user-friendly tools and secure platforms, respecting privacy and ethical standards.FEMECO fully aligns with UN SDG 5 [gender equality], SDG 6 [clean water and sanitation], SDG 12 [responsible consumption and production] and SDG 13 [climate action] and aims at reducing waste and enabling behavioural changes and lifestyle habits that are key for sustainable development<< Implementation >>FEMECO shall implement the following activities:PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION A1: Project Management and coordination1.1. Project Management Handbook and Tools/Templates1.2. Management Board Set-Up1.3. Communication with partners/agency1.4. Coordination and Communication Platform1.5. Consortium Agreements1.6. Monitoring of Process, Budget, Dissemination 1.7. Data Protection / GDPR Compliance1.8. Progress, Interim and Final ReportingM1: Kick-off meetingM2: Project meeting #2M2: Project meeting #3M2: Project meeting & Final Conference #4A2: QUALITY ASSURANCE & EVALUATION2.1. Elaboration of QA Plan2.2. Set-up of Quality Assurance Committee2.3. Set up of External Group of Advisors (EGA)2.4. Set up of Focus Group (FG)2.5. Elaboration of a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan2.6. Elaboration of Monitoring and Evaluation ReportsA3: DISSEMINATION3.1. Stakeholder Analysis3.2. Dissemination Plan3.3. Portfolio of Dissemination Material3.4. Project Website3.5. Project Social Media3.6. Dissemination activities4 NewslettersInfo day in FranceInfo day in Czech Rep.Info day in PolandInfo day in GreeceInfo day in CyprusInfo day in Spain Info day in TurkeyA4: EXPLOITATION4.1. Exploitation Plan 4.2. Promotional Video 4.4. Memorandum of UnderstandingIO1. BEST PRACTICES ON SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE PRODUCTS - A GUIDEO1/A1 Primary research design and deliveryQuestionnaire design, collection of data and analysisPolicy brief and recommendations O2/A2 Evidence-based practices in green & social entrepreneurshipDesktop research Good practices compilation reportIO2. FEMECO TRAINING MODULESO2/A1: Curriculum design Training module in Reusable Hygiene ProductsTraining module in Social and Green EntrepreneurshipManual on homemade and recyclable diapers for seniorsO2/A2: Curriculum developmentO2/A3 Digital tool on waste management and hygiene productsIO3. FEMECO VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (VLE)O3/A1: VLE specificationsO3/A2: VLE developmentO3/A2:Development of FEMECO MOOC O3/A3: Pilot Testing of the MOOCO3/A4: MOOC Launching and MonitoringO3/A6: Virtual libraryO3/A7: GDPR compliance<< Results >>FEMECO shall deliver:IO1. GOOD PRACTICES ON SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE PRODUCTS - A GUIDE addressing: policy implications from the waste of hygiene products on the environment; Recommendations; Compilation og good practices from the green sector/industry IO2. 3 FEMECO TRAINING MODULES addressing:Production of handmade and reusable hygiene products; Education in Social and Green Entrepreneurship; Manual on homemade and recyclable diapers for seniors; Digital tool on waste management and hygiene products; Access and participation; Programme specifications; Data Protection management.IO3. FEMECO VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (VLE)FEMECO VLE; Virtual library; GDPR compliance.Increased availability and use of OER will lead to better access, thereby contributing to more equity and to higher quality and improved efficiency of adult education sector.Additional Material Results:• Project Management Handbook and Documents• Consortium agreements• Quality Assurance Plan• Monitoring & Evaluation Plan• Stakeholder Analysis• Dissemination Plan• Portfolio of Dissemination material• Project website & social media• Newsletters• Press releases and media presence – presence in EU platforms (esp. EPALE)• Exploitation Plan• Promotional video• Memorandum of Understanding• Reports: Progress Reports, Interim and Final Reports, Evaluation Reports, Dissemination Logs and matrix

<< Background >>The ageing of population is a worldwide phenomenon with critical implications for all sectors of society. Due to low birth rates, high life expectancy and migration flow dynamics, worldwide population is “turning grey”, and Europe is not an exception. An ageing population brings social, health, economic, and other issues. Overall in the EU, the total public spending of ageing is expected to increase by 1.7% to 26.7% of GDP between 2016 and 2070. In all countries, measures to help older people remain active and participative are a necessity, not a luxury. The United Nations and the European Commission agree that quality ageing is a responsibility of all (private, public and civic actors), and can only be created and sustained through the participation of multiple sectors. People are thus encouraged to take the lead to implement programmes addressing quality and active ageing. These impressive projections feed into a variety of policy debates and processes at EU level, including the overarching Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. There is uncertainty surrounding these long-term projections, which are made under a 'no-policy-change' assumption to illustrate what the future could be if current policies remain unchanged. Thus, as populations grow older, the EC encourages the design of innovative policies and public services specifically targeted to older persons. The UN and the EC agree that quality ageing is a responsibility of all (private, public and civic actors), and can only be created and created and sustained through joint efforts of multiple sectors. People are encouraged to take the lead to implement programmes addressing questions as: How do we help people remain independent and active as they age? How can we strengthen health promotion and prevention policies? How can the quality of life in old age be improved?, and attempt to collaborate in assuring that senior citizens remain a valuable resource to their families and communities, as stated in the WHO Brasilia Declaration on Ageing and Health in 1996. In all countries, measures to help older people remain active and participative are a necessity, not a luxury. The time to act is now! This framework, in addition to the environmental global crisis and the EU Green Deal prerogatives, led the partners to plan a project aiming at fomenting active ageing policies that would bring added-value to both the communities and the elderly. Preparation work of the partners and resulting direct contact with the agents working directly with the elderly in several countries (Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Poland) revealed that the third age sector and the elderly would like to contribute to nature conservation, because of all the positive inputs that the contact with nature brings to the senior’s mental and physical health, and because it enhances autonomy. However, when inquired about what prevented those agents (or the elderly) to implement outdoor programmes, they responded the staff lacks competences to address nature-related actions and to organize safe outdoor activities. When further inquired on the preferred enrolment schemes for the elderly in such outdoor programmes, they were unanimous in responding that volunteerism would be the perfect model to adopt.The educational needs were thus identified to a depth that allowed partners to build a robust consortium and a strategy to respond to those needs. SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY thus requires expertise on different areas and insights from countries with active ageing policies at different levels of implementation in order to make it effective and transferable to a large geographical scale, assuring transnational quality impact on a set of different target audiences (from ground to policy-makers).<< Objectives >>SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY aims at:-Promoting active ageing through the involvement of senior citizens in nature conservation volunteering programmes, and through the capacitation of personnel working in the third age sector to develop and implement such programmes;-Valorising the elderly and all their potential as productive citizens;-Support adult (senior) learners by providing high-quality training fostering key competences and skills;-Generating environmental awareness, and promote European citizenship values;-Promoting language, literacy, ICT, intercultural, and interpersonal skills in senior citizens and in the third age personnel;-Promoting social inclusion and active ageing policy.<< Implementation >>SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY will train at least 48 third age personnel from Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Poland, and will directly involve at least 300 senior citizens in environmental activities in Portugal and Iceland. Indirectly, over 1000 senior citizens will somehow be involved in the project’s activities.Participants will join environmental activities in the field, virtual and physical international dialogues and exchanges, and will test and validate all the results. They will also attend public events and will be consulted for policy contributions.SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY is thus a cross-sectoral project that will achieve the abovementioned activities, but mainly long-lasting immaterial results in what concerns the social inclusion of the elderly; their willingness and awareness to enrol in outdoor conservation programmes (or other active ageing programmes) in an informed way; the competences of entities, personnel and adult (senior) educators to develop and implement active ageing programmes; the encouragement of ageing-friendly policies. It is then expected that SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY will cause a significant impact at different levels (local, national and international) on the different target-groups and stakeholders.Thanks to the diversity of the participating organizations and the high-level quality of their respective networks, the project’s results will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders, assuring the project’s uptake and continuity. Partners are committed to achieving institutional buy-in to the proposed methodology, and SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY will certainly support social inclusion and valorization of the elderly, the establishment of green active ageing programmes, and the development of high-quality skills and competences in both the elderly and the staff supporting them. Environmental action and improvements in local governance policy will also be important benefits.<< Results >>SENIORS4SUSTAINABILITY will produce a set of tangible results and outcomes that hopefully will facilitate the construction of intangible outcomes, such an improvement in third-age and environmental policies.Results are described in detail in the relevant chapter of the application, but, in short are:- A report/collection of best-practice and inspirational cases to inspire and guide the project development;- An online platform that features the project information, results, news, and an observatory for best-practice in nature conservation programmes inclusive to seniors, and an enrolment directory for such projects and the elderly;- A handbook for seniors, explaining the rights and duties of volunteers, safety rules, etc;- A step-be-step handbook and an executive package for institutions willing to implement senior volunteer/active ageing programmes;- A training course for 3rd age personnel, available in 4 languages;- An audiovisual set of contents, explaining the topics addressed by the project in an inclusive way;- A policy paper explaining the importance of a change in 3rd age and environmental policies. This output will summarize a set of evidence-based recommendations, from a policy-making and local democracy perspective.- A laymen report assembling all lessons learned and crucial findings of the project, allowing for clear and swift dissemination of the tackled benefits.We will also run internal evaluation exercises after each meeting or event, ensuring the project is developing according to each target group and the consortium’s needs and goals.The expected outcomes are the following:- Development and implementation of 1 senior ‘green volunteering’ programme.- Delivery of 1 training course for 3rd age personnel, with resultant improvement of their skills and intercultural perspective.- Organization of 6 multiplier events and consequent impact in local communities.- Raise awareness about ageing and environmental issues.- Promote the benefits of international cooperation for the resolution of such issues.- Promote 3rd age and environmental friendly policies at high decision making level, with impacts on (at least) local governance and democratic systems.- Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, and relevant EU commitments for sustainable development, such as the 2030 EU Agenda and the EU Green Deal.

"All the partner organizations involved in this project, even the advanced ones as Germany, are facing issues relating to domestic violence.The majority of people our partner organizations work with, belonging to vulnerable groups, have suffered from domestic violence frequently.Following the needs of the partners identified by different means (Needs/ SWOT Analysis etc.) at the level of their organizations we have noticed the need for new practices, strategies and resources for our staff, trainers, and educators to prevent domestic violence, to tackle prejudices and gender stereotypes, attitudes and behaviors that encourage violence, as well as to arm women and men with the tools to stand up to domestic violence The project aims to develop a strong cooperation at European level among the partner organizations involved in to prevent and combat domestic violence and to overcome patriarchal mentality as a cause of domestic violenceThe project has as target group social workers, trainers, educators (psychologists, jurists, journalists, and visual artists) involved in gender education belonging to partners’ organizations. The partners will work together, will learn from each other, sharing the best practices and strategies against domestic violence and for equal opportunities and treatment between women and men.Objectives:1.To improve the professional capacity of each partner organization through European collaboration, acquiring new competences and non-formal methods to combat and prevent domestic violence and to overcome the patriarchal mentality by means of 3 Short-term joint staff training events.2. To prevent domestic violence and to overcome patriarchal thinking through guidance and counselling meetings on one to one basis for 30 women victims of domestic violence, our partners are working with3. To raise awareness on domestic violence through Awareness Raising Campaign “Stop Domestic Violence” “launched by all partners4. To strength the network among partners developing a new e-learning tool – ""SHE”, a website TV channel of international value, bringing together the best strategies and non-formal methods used by project partners to combat and prevent domestic violence and to overcome patriarchal mentalityThe objectives will be achieved through:* 3 Short-term joint staff training events during which the participants:-will enrich their knowledge about the forms of domestic violence as well as those forms that easily confused with the care of the other towards you, the factors that lead to domestic violence, the iceberg of domestic violence, the patriarchal mentality, the Stockholm syndrome, the legislative perspective -will improve the ability to recognize different forms of domestic violence - will improve the capacity to analyse different situations of domestic violence-will acquire new practice and strategies to prevent and combat domestic violence -will develop a culture of gender equality -will develop ICT competences and media literacy to create video products-will acquire non-formal methods of participatory arts-will acquire competences to launch an awareness raising campaign against domestic violence* guidance and counselling meetings on one to one basis for 30 women victims of domestic violence our partners are working with, using the competences gained during the 3 Short-term joint staff training events* Awareness Raising Campaigns “ Stop Domestic Violence “ using non-formal methods of participatory arts and competences gained during the 3 Short-term joint staff training events* the SHE web TV , a channel as digital network among partner organizations will contain videos and materials for preventing and combating domestic violence, useful for NGOs, trainers, social workers, all the society and end-users.Besides the improvement of professional capacity of each partner organizations through new gained competences of their participants, one of the most important result of this project will be the opportunity to achieved guidance and counselling meetings on one to one basis for victims of domestic violence in order to prevent domestic violence and overcome patriarchal mentality as a cause of domestic violence, providing consultancy regarding their rights, tackle prejudices and gender stereotypes, norms, attitudes and behaviours, encouraging or discouraging attitudes and behaviours that contribute directly to the prevention of domestic violence. Also, the campaign against domestic violence “Stop Domestic Violence” and the SHE web TV will bring the best strategies and non-formal methods to prevent and combat domestic violence, true models to follow by NGOs and also education means for general public at local, national and international level to reduce gender prejudices and stereotypes and stand against DV"