"The main idea of the project ""Modern design – Czech-Slovak- Bulgarian Republic"" arised from the possibility of creating a new strategic partnership in the fields of art and arts and crafts. The project involved two UNESCO institutions Secondary Art Glass School Valašské Meziříčí from the Czech Republic, the State Cultural Institute ""Cultural Center"" The Palace"", Balchik from Bulgaria and Secondary Art School Trencin from the Slovak Republic. The proejct established links between the artistic fields of study and mutual usefulness of their products in practice. The purpose of this project was a joint development of training in both educational institutions which would contribute to the improving of the employability of their graduates.It was achieved by realization of 4 common education activities, where was done an exchange of experience of industrial design, interior design and exterior design and their interconnection using the latest modern technologies (3D printer).In order to improve and expand vocational training, in the frame of the project activities, there was increased the professional qualifications of teachers from the both participating schools, who along with their students learnt how to use the latest technology. The new design models usable in industrial design were also created. The students seeked an inspiration in the exterior of the Cultural Centre Dvoreca, Balchik. The project had the unambiguous impact on improving the quality of implemented vocational training. The project increased the skills of the teaching staff of involved partners and further expanded their expertise by exchanging experience with using new software technologies. Positive impact on students of both vocational schools was the improving of starting conditions for their further education and employability. Another unambiguous benefit was the establishing a strategic partnership among the three institutions from three European countries, which are mutually complementary in their activities. The implementation of the project „Modern design – Czech-Slovakia-Bulgaria“ laid the foundation of long-term cooperation and the development of vocational education and training."

"The project ""From Ancient to Modern times - Materials, Technologies and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage"" was approved in 2018. It was planned for 2 years. Due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 disease and pandemic measures, it was extended and completed on 31 October 2021. The total duration of the project was 35 months instead of 24 months.Secondary Art Glass school - Valašské Meziříčí (SUPŠ sklářská VM) has been cooperating in Erasmus+ projects with the Cultural Institute „ Dvoreca“ Balchik (DKI KC ""Dvoreca""), Bulgaria for a long time. Thanks to this cooperation, the idea for this project was born and we established contacts with two other organizations that were interested in cooperation with us and liked the concept of the project. We got important partners in Bulgaria, namely the Archaeological Institute and Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAN) and the Museum of Modern Art (MAV) in Galati, Romania. The partner organisations have thus contributed to the fulfilment of the planned objectives of the project. Each of the partners covered the period in which they specialise. The partner organisations involved two adult participants each, who formed a working team and implemented the project together. Two teachers specialising in languages and vocational subjects were involved in the project for the SUPŠ sklářská VM. NAIM-BAN nominated two archaeologists who lead archaeological teams and carry out research, a curator and an art historian as well as the director of the museum were involved in the project from MAV. DKI KC ""Dvoreca"" was represented by the director of the organisation and experts in the preservation and restoration of cultural monuments. In the project we set seven goals, which we managed to fulfil thanks to good cooperation. We focused on the development and further deepening of cooperation between art institutions in the European Union, the promotion of valuable art collections, familiarization with museum work, the transfer of experience from experts to project participants, to the educational programs of the school and back from participants to experts, increasing the professional competences of students and teachers, communication skills in a foreign language and increasing the prestige of institutions. During the project we held two international project meetings (M1 and M2) and a total of seven international training activities. These were three combined VET pupil mobility activities (C1, C2, C3) and four short-term joint staff training activities (C4, C5, C6, C7). The training activities were linked in programme and content and were attended jointly by pupils of the SUPŠ sklářská VM and representatives of the partners´ organisations. Activities C1 and C5 took place at NAIM-BAN, Sofia, Bulgaria. We focused on materials and technological processes from the ancient and medieval periods and, thanks to the participation of active archaeologists, we were able to investigate and work directly with archaeological finds. 10 pupils and 8 adult participants took part in the lectures and workshops. The second block of educational activities was prepared by MAV, Galati, Romania - C2 and C6. The programme focused on 20th and 21st century modern art and the use of new and traditional materials and technological processes not only by artists but also in art school settings. The activities were attended by 12 pupils and 8 adult participants. After an unplanned hiatus caused by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a pandemic situation that made travel impossible, we had to reschedule the planned educational activities. Finally, we manage to organise and realise the last activitivitis. The C3 and C7 training activities took place at the DKI KC ""Dvoreca"", Balchik, Bulgaria. They focused on the preservation of cultural heritage, the work of restorers and the use of IT technologies. The activities were attended by 11 pupils and 8 adult participants. Together with our partners, we agreed that one of the biggest impacts of the project was, that it gave the participants the opportunity to learn about disciplines such as archaeology, museum studies and curating, and so broaden their career posibilities. Gaining new contacts, successful teamwork is a good basis for further projects within the EU and beyond."