The Unique project was selected for the “Platform of European Associations of VET Providers” Meeting of the Directorate-General for Employment Social Affairs and Inclusion Expert Group that was organized online on the 17th of June 2021. Being proposed as a possible candidate by EVBB, the European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training, which AKMI S.A. is an institutional member of, Unique project was eventually selected for the session dedicated to Gender Balance in VET.

On the 25^th  and 26^th of February, ΑΚΜΙ S.A. participated with UNIQUE: EqUal iNclusIon of LGBTIQ stUdents in VET project, in the Coordinators' kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ Social Inclusion and Common Values: Contribution in the Field of Education and Training which was organized virtually by EACEA. 

During the meeting, the Coordinators of the selected funding projects of the respective 2020 EU Call for more inclusive education across Europe, had the opportunity to meet each other and discuss the current opportunities and challenges that are arising in our joint efforts. Education is a pivotal area where social inclusion, one of the main pillars of the European Union, could be encouraged and achieved. Therefore, it is a pleasure to feel that we will contribute to establishing a society where everyone will feel welcomed, safe and protected. 

We are delighted to announce that we officially launched our project on the 4^th of February, during a virtual kick-off meeting which was organized by the Coordinator, AKMI S.A.

Over the past few months, the project partners undertook extensive desk and fiel research in order to map the existing situation and framework in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Poland. The data collected at a national level were compiled and analyzed in a Transnational Benchmarking Report, aiming to identify discrimination patterns and norms in VET and provide a comparative methodology for the development and implementation of the training and capacity building activities of the project. The responses of a total number of 333 VET students and 160 VET teachers that completed an online survey across all participating countries were analyzed. In addition, further insights were gathered through the focus groups and interviews that were performed with the participation of 46 individuals, including VET students and teachers, as well as LGBTIQ experts, in the five target countries.

The key strategy of the UNIQUE project is to recruit and train Ambassadors that are willing to support equality for LGBTIQ trainees in vocational education.

Are you interested in joining us? Would you like to explore what you can do as a UNIQUE Ambassador?