The overall objective of the project is to enhance the utilization of innovative approaches and practical cross-sectional methods; Enhanced collaborative cross-country efforts of students thus increasing the quality of the educational programmes at HEIs, by improving thematic international collaboration of HEIs in the fields of entrepreneurship and management.The specific objectives of the project are:- To increase practical learning and skills of the target group members, by supporting and integrating the Career Centers, that will merge efforts of skills build-up for increased understanding of entrepreneurship, market principles, competencies in business management and knowledge that will enable them to implement potential business ideas on the market;- To empower the target group members in the area of entrepreneurship and management by providing them with a simulated virtual environment, establishing a connection between practical and theoretical learning;- To improve the quality and efficiency of educational best-practices at the partnering HEIs.Adding value to current efforts, the proposed project addresses the following needs: strengthening the link between HEIs particularly in experience and knowledge-sharing, establishing joint innovative educational practices aiming to raise practical knowledge of target group members, providing cross-section thematic workshops enhancing the practical knowledge of target group members, creating functional innovative solutions to optimize the efficiency of the already implemented educational practices at each partnering HEI.The Partnership is composed of four institutions: the Integrated Business Institute (IBI) - Macedonia (Applicant Organization), The University College of Economics and Culture (EKA) – Latvia (Partner Organization), University of Applied Sciences - Kehl (Partner Organization) and Faculty of Administration (University of Ljubljana) – Slovenia (Partner Organization). EKA is one of the European leaders in educational excellence, while the experience and quality of Faculty of Administration (Uni. Ljubljana) in the field of entrepreneurship is vast and adds additional value to the project activities. University of Applied Sciences - Kehl will provide technical assistance, and transfer ideas and educational excellence to the other partnering institutions. The key audiences of the project are: target group members (students at the respective partnering HEIs, participating teachers and professors in the project activities, project team members, administrative staff involved in the everyday activities of the Career Centers); project stakeholders (participating HEIs, business sector and SME representatives, other Research institutions and HEIs operating in the fields of entrepreneurship and business management, business incubators and technology parks); other interested parties and key audiences: decision-makers at the local, regional, national and EU level; Chambers of Commerce, Ministries of Education and Science in each partnering country.SPIDE project phases are:I) Preparation phase: Initial preparation for the implementation of the two main components.II) Implementation phase: Implementation of the two main components of the project (ICCE and BSS). The project's core is based on two main components: Developing an International Career Center for Entrepreneurship (ICCE)- through activities, workshops, sharing of best practices and Intensive Study Programmes for teaching staff and students; and Creating a Business Simulaion Software (BSS) - an innovative IT solution providing practical teaching and learning experience to students.III) Dissemination phase.IV) Follow-up phase.V) Conclusion phase.The project is expected to achieve the following results: Increased practical skills and experiences of students in the fields of entrepreneurship, business management and innovation; Improved collaboration and experience-sharing among students; Strengthened existing and established new cross-institutional knowledge transfers, and sharing of best practices, concerning the Career Centers, with a particular accent on the innovative approaches to current services offered; Strengthened links between the stakeholders, in particular between the business sector and students at the respective HEIs; Enhanced competitive nature and entrepreneurial spirit among students; Improved and modernized educational best-practices at partnering HEIs. The following impact is expected to be achieved: Enhanced individual capabilities of project team members; mproved skill-set in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation to participants in the project activities; increased pedagogical skills in addressing student needs by teaching staff; enhanced entrepreneurial and innovative spirit; modernized teaching and learning methods; enhanced collaborative cross-country efforts of students and between students HEIs and business sector representatives.

"The main Project elements: 1.Context-background of the project:The CIRCECO Project was created within the contemporary perception of higher education and the need for scientific research in order to create a quality approach to the study of the complexity of the Circular Economy (CE) a new phenomenon with a challenging character. The main purpose of the Project proposal remains the modernization of higher education by implementing an innovative Online Master Study Programme for Circular Economy. The Online Master Study Programme for Circular economy is based on research results and introduction of innovative practices aimed at stimulating entrepreneurial and creative capabilities of students and supporting the development of the innovative business concept, bringing a positive impact on the economy, labor market, society and environment, including protection.The background of the Project is consists of the following main sections: Context, Participating organisations, Description of the project, Budget, Project Summary, Check List-Data, Protection, Notice-Declaration of Honor, Annexes and Submission.2.ObjectivesThe general and specific objectives refer to the need to build transnational Strategic partnership aimed at connecting Partner Universities, involved institutions and the representatives from Business Community, exchanging experience and enhancing knowledge in the field of CE, building a shared Online Master Study Programme (MSP for CE, raising the awareness of students and emphasis the importance and benefits of CE and quite logical needs to abandon the concept of a linear economy, encouraging the innovative spirit of students for new business ideas, start up procedures in order to build and establish economically viable solutions which will contribute to waste utilization and increasing profit i order to improve the level of entrepreneurial culture of behavior at the Business environment.3.Number and type-profile of participants:The project’s Consortium is made up of five organizations from four different Programme countries as follows: - European University- RM ( EURM - Project applicant). Private highly-established educational institution with modern standards and development strategy for preliminary scientific research projects, monitoring of good practice, cooperation with the business community and open international politics and mobility.- Youth Entrepreneurial Service Foundation, from Republic of Macedonia ((YES- Partner organization). Non-governmental organization established in 2005 which aims to stimulate the entrepreneurship in the country through reinforcing the business and soft skills of future entrepreneurs needed for successfully running own company.- University of Economics and Culture (Ekonomikas un kultūras augstskola), from Latvia (EKA-Partner organization). Private higher school founded in 1998 in Riga, Latvia. The Study programmes dealing in the various fields and related subjects was granted permanent accreditation in 2006 in order to provide a formal education programs for learners in the form of in-class and distance learning.- Faculty of Commercial and Business Sciences (Fakulteta za komercialne in poslovne vede), from Slovenia ( FKPV- Partner organization). Private higher educational institution with programmes established at all the Bolognia levels, to educate students all over Slovenia in four basic fields: Commerce, Tourism, Business informatics and Security management. - Green Infrastructure Ltd (Zelena Infrastruktura d.o.o) from Croatia, (GI-Partner organization). Founded in the beginning of 2016, capable of providing solutions to increasingly complex challenges in the areas of Nature and environment protection, Sustainable management of natural resources as well as adaptation to Climate change.4.Description of undertaken activities: The project is provided within the structured framework of the following phases and activities: • Preparation phase• The Implementation stage consists of three components: - CЕ joint research- Curriculum building- Development of an online learning platform.• The dissemination phase: - The follow-up stage - Evaluation and assessment • The conclusion phase.The consortium is fully committed to the implementation of the proposed project activities for achieving the following results:- Increased and strengthened network,- Enhanced communication among the partnering institutions,- Increase environmental awareness, - Exchange of experience and knowledge in he field of CЕ.5.Results and impact attained:- Common approach to creating a multidisciplinary MSP for CЕ,- Curriculum Building, - Creating a new Online MSP for CЕ. 6. Longer-term benefits:- Further mutual cooperation and promotion between higher education institutions, research and business sectors,- Strengthening the ""knowledge triangle"" by linking education, research and innovation"

<< Objectives >>The specific objectives targeted by BENEFIT are: - Developed and evaluated framework for blended learning and evaluation practices for inclusive higher education - Establishing a Blended Learning Inclusive Module (BLINC) - Upgraded courses that follow blended learning and evaluation practices for inclusive higher education - Workshops for teaching and training staff (through the BLINC).<< Implementation >>The implementation of BENEFIT follows two horizontal and one specific priority based on digital transformation, innovative teaching methods, and creating inclusive HEIs. By ensuring quality management and coordination, the project activity consists of assurance framework, dissemination plan, various meeting agendas, including reports of progression and finalization. Three main outcomes are targeted through BENEFIT, divided into more than 15 separate components.<< Results >>BENEFIT will yield the following four results: - Report through BENEFIT European analysis, which will include statistics and trends for the current state of inclusive Higher education- Free E-tool for inclusivity (ETI) for usage to all HEIs, providing a framework and mechanisms for implementing inclusivity practices in Higher education- Blended Learning Inclusive Module (BLINC) targeting teaching and research staff at partnering institutions and learners with disabilities.

The overall objective of the project was to support the development of an innovative pathway by improving long-term strategic collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (hereinafter referred to as HEIs) and enterprises and enhance the development of sustainable learning advancements in HEIs.The specific objectives of the project were:- To support and implement models for effective and practical learning, through raising the awareness for an innovation driven culture-To establish a foundation for promoting innovation and various career paths among prospective students- To develop cutting-edge technology platformThe overall and specific objectives addressed the following needs: strengthening the link between HEIs and the business sector, establishing joint contemporary educational practices based on existing curricula implemented separately in each partnering institution, raising innovation awareness of students and improving the intrapreneurial culture in existing businesses.The project Consortium was composed of five organizations from four different Programme Countries: the Integrated Business Institute (IBI) – R. Macedonia (Applicant Organization), The University College of Economics and Culture (EKA) – Latvia (Partner Organization), University of Pavia – Italy (Partner Organization), Riga Technical University (RTU) – Latvia (Partner Organization) and University of Ljubljana – Slovenia (Partner Organization). The proposal consisted of the following phases and activities:I) Preparation phase (January-March, 2015)-Developing a Project website-Promotion of the project-Kick-off meeting (held at IBI, Skopje)-Preparation of Inception ReportII) Implementation phase (April - May 2016)Component 1: Strategic integration of learning models (SILM)-SILM Needs Assessment Analysis (O6)-Working Group Meeting: “Perspectives and Modernization of Higher Education” (EKA, Riga). -Intensive Capacity Building Staff Programme (one week training): “Implementation of innovative learning approaches at higher education institutions” (UNIPV, Pavia). -Design of the pilot model “ Integrated Model for Fostering an Innovation Driven Culture and Learning Efficiency at HEIs” (O7) -Implementing the Integrated Model in each of the partner institutions for a whole semester and its evaluation.Component 2: Establishing a Consolidated Career Centre-Intensive Capacity Building Staff Programme (one week training): Consolidated Pilot Career Centre (University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana). -Key Drivers Analysis-Establishing of the Pilot Consolidated Career CentreComponent 3: Development of the Business Education Public Integration platform (BEP) -Building BEP version 1.0-Testing and improving the BEP version 1.0-Building BEP version 2.0 III) Dissemination (June-December 2016)IV) Follow up (September-December, 2016)V) Conclusion phase (November-December, 2016)The activity plan addressed the following target groups: Research and Higher Educational Institutions, Students, Business organizations, Public bodies and institutions and Chambers of Commerce.The Consortium devoted its maximum effort in the implementation of the project activities and the following results were achieved:-The network of stakeholders was increased and strengthened - The public awareness for the project activities was enhanced and the achieved project were recognizable - The capacities of overall project team in terms of getting an in-depth introduction to the learning practices, administrative issues, innovative concepts and practical learning were enhanced-An “Integrated Model for Fostering an Innovation Driven Culture and Learning Efficiency at HEIs” was successfully developed and it was publicly promoted through a multiplier event. - The capacities of overall project team in terms of undertaking advisory activities, pedagogical services and participatory approach in guiding students to most suitable prospective career paths were increased- The core operational capacities of the Pilot Consolidated Career Centre were established and developed- The Business Education Public (BEP) Integration Platform was created and is continuously maintained.The project produced the following impact:- It provided a positive change in the currently implemented educational best practices-It improved the provision for prospective career choices by offering joint expertise from a team of internationally recognized experts in various fields- The communication barriers among the stakeholders of the project were mitigated which enabled a long-term collaborative culture among them- The students and the business community were more actively involved in the educational sector.

<< Background >>The project Development of a virtual learning space as a tool for developing students’ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills in the context of COVID-19 is aimed at introducing students to new innovative learning spaces and to solve the problems of application of modern teaching/learning methods in social sciences by digitizing the study content.The digital transformation has been identified as one of the key pillars of the EU's recovery from COVID-19, promoting new forms of economic growth and strengthening the EU's resilience. Agreed at least 20 percent funds under the Recovery and Resilience Instrument for digital transformation, including for small and medium-sized enterprises. These funds should stimulate the development of next-generation digital technologies in Europe, build capacity in strategic digital value chains, accelerate the deployment of ultra-high capacity and secure network infrastructure across the EU, and modernize the digital capacity of education systems. One of the goals - creating a modern school to supplement traditional educational methods with the latest technologies. It is stated that modern person need to be able to work and study with the help of information technology.<< Objectives >>The aim of the project is to solve the problems of application of modern teaching/learning methods in social sciences by digitizing the study content by using Virtual reality platform. The application of modern technologies to the digitization of study content encourages creativity and creates opportunities for users to get involved in the content creation process themselves. Encouraging creativity, adapting content to the younger generation of learners (Generation Z) is based on developing practical skills while reducing environmental impact and contributing to business sustainability. The project is intended to reinforce and sustain such positive behavioral trends.<< Implementation >>There will be two intellectual outputs created to reach the project’s goals: IO1 digitized case studies and IO2 - a virtual reality platform used by Generation Z, teachers and studying adults. One main objective of the intellectual output 1 is the development of case studies for the IO2 - a virtual reality learning platform. This Output will be useful for students pursuing their knowledge about new cases related to their study subjects that will be transformed to a virtual reality platform. Output 1 digital case studies will consist of 9 cases that will be established by each project partner. It will include different study program subjects. Target groups of the project will be: bachelor students and Erasmus students, teachers and studying adults. It follows that the main focus of working with Output 1 will be on new cases for study programs subjects in all partner countries and digitization of final content. The lead partner of IO1 will be Vilniaus kolegija/ University of Applied Sciences. The lead partner of IO2 will Iron Cat, private company in Lithuania. All partners will contribute in order to bring an innovative approach by collecting prior experience, piloting and testing within a research context. The platform will be open to use for other similar educational organisations which will find these features suitable for their learning processes. Product and process innovation, internationalization and high growth are considered the key characteristics of new intellectual output 2 – development of virtual reality learning platform. We strive to: a. use product considered to be new to at least some of the target groups; b. use a technology of less than five years old. Knowledge, skills and general competence about this Output will be useful for students pursuing their knowledge about new innovative virtual spaces possibilities and new ways of learning.<< Results >>The virtual reality platform and case studies developed by the researchers on the basis of the results obtained in the first activity of the project will be provided to students of the partner institutions as a main material included in the study of the subject. The application of modern technologies to the digitization of study content encourages creativity and creates opportunities for users to get involved in the content creation process themselves. Encouraging creativity, adapting content to the younger generation of learners (Gen Z) is based on developing practical skills while reducing environmental impact and contributing to business sustainability. The project is intended to reinforce and sustain such positive behavioral trends. The results of the project will be disseminated by creating an open access platform, which provides digitized content of the study subject. The latter will be available to users seeking to acquire practical skills in specific areas through the use of a virtual reality platform and the application of the acquired subject knowledge to the solution of practical situations.