Join our “Active Hope: facing global concerns and building regenerative futures”, a participatory learning journey to help teachers, educators, staff in educational institutions and trainers, to navigate uncertainty and concerns about global challenges and transform these concerns into meaningful action towards a more sustainable, compassionate and hopeful future.

Context
We live in a global reality that worries and distresses us, particularly with regard to future prospects. There are many areas of concern, from climate change, economic crises, wars, decline in biodiversity, increased socio-economic inequalities, social isolation and mental health problems, among others. Lack of confidence in the future and uncertainty are common psychological realities (*). These realities are generally considered “depressing”, “negative”, and they remain largely ignored, denied and unspoken. How can we change something we don’t think or talk about?

Aims
In this course (**), we explore our sense of purpose and connectedness with each other as human beings and with life as a whole, to nurture and strengthen our ability to face our concerns for the world and to contribute to a fair and humane world. This learning journey invites teachers and educators to explore the local and global issues that matter most to them and their learners, and to discover meaningful ways to contribute to positive change. Recognising that every person brings unique experiences, interests, skills and perspectives, it will support participants in identifying and developing their own authentic and meaningful responses within their educational contexts, while empowering them to inspire learners and communities to help shape a “hope-full” future.

Target: Teachers working with all types of learners in both formal and non-formal context; staff of educational institutions; educator’s and trainers.

Duration: 5 days (25 – 30 hours)

Venue: Lisbon, Portugal

Working Language: English

Learning methods
Experiential and non-formal learning, where participants actively participate in the process through small group interactions, deep listening, personal reflection, and (where possible) time outdoors to reconnect with the natural world, music, and movement, along with presentations and conversations on concepts such as Systems Science, Deep Ecology, the state of the world, and the aspiration to a life-sustaining society.

Programme

Communication and Financial Sustainability for NGOs is a practical, hands-on 5-day program designed specifically for NGO leaders, project managers, and communication officers who want to master the art of impactful storytelling while building a resilient, multi-stream funding strategy. Set in the inspiring city of Lisbon, this course provides insider knowledge on Erasmus+ grants, European funding lines, and crowdfunding, combined with modern marketing tools. Learn how to turn your social impact into a sustainable future.

Duration: 5 days (25-30 hours)

Target:
-teachers working with all types of learners in both formal and non- formal context
-staff in educational institutions
-trainers

Objectives:

• Build a Strategic Communication Plan that effectively showcases their NGO’s social impact to donors, partners, and the public.
• Navigate the Erasmus+ ecosystem and successfully understand the requirements for KA1, KA2, and other European funding lines.
• Diversify NGO income streams by exploring corporate partnerships, crowdfunding, and social entrepreneurship models.
• Write compelling grant proposals that stand out to evaluators and align perfectly with funding priorities.
• Network and collaborate with international NGOs, opening doors for future cross-border partnerships and consortiums.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop a strategic communication plan that clearly communicates their NGO’s mission, activities and social impact to donors, partners, stakeholders and the wider public.

• Navigate the Erasmus+ funding ecosystem by identifying relevant funding opportunities, distinguishing between Key Action 1 (KA1), Key Action 2 (KA2) and other European funding programmes, and understanding their main eligibility criteria and application requirements.

• Identify and assess alternative funding opportunities by exploring corporate partnerships, crowdfunding, social entrepreneurship and other income-generation models to strengthen their NGO’s financial sustainability.

• Design and write compelling grant proposals that respond to funding priorities, address application requirements, define clear objectives and expected outcomes, and demonstrate the relevance and impact of proposed activities.

• Apply practical strategies for communicating social impact by selecting appropriate messages, communication channels and impact indicators to strengthen donor engagement, build stakeholder trust and increase organisational visibility.

• Build international networks and explore cross-border cooperation opportunities by exchanging good practices with representatives of other NGOs, identifying potential partners and developing initial ideas for future European project consortia.

• Develop an actionable organisational development plan identifying priority steps to improve fundraising, communication and international cooperation within their NGO.

Programme:

Day 1 – Does the World Know Your Impact? 
Presentation of training institutions, trainers and participants
Introduction to the programme, warmers and icebreakers
Presentation of communication tools and channels (branding and storytelling related)

Day 2 – Amplifying Your NGO’s Voice 
Strategic communication – Digital storytelling, branding, and content creation for social impact
Social Media Mastery – Free tools for NGOs
Public relations & media outreach

Day 3 – Learning How to Diversifying Income  
Introduction to the Erasmus+ Programme and European funding lines
Practical examples
Alternative fundings and self-sustaining

Day 4 – How Can We Communicate to Win?
Writing to win – How to design the narrative, project logic, and budget for an Erasmus+ grant proposal and to disseminate it on social media
Pitching your project
Practical tasks

Dia 5 – I’m ready for Long-Term Impact! 
Knowledge into action
It all comes together
Closing and evaluation of the course

Course details:

Course Fee: €400 per participant (5 training days × €80/day)

Includes:
– Course preparation and delivery by qualified trainers.
– Five days of structured training, including workshops, practical activities and group discussions
– Training materials and educational resources
– Administrative and organisational costs
– Certificate of participation (upon 80% attendance)
– Europass Mobility (upon 80% attendance)
– Pre-course coordination and participant support.

Not included: Travel, accommodation, meals and local transportation. These expenses are the responsibility of the participants or their sending organisations.

Register HERE.

Upcoming session
1) Starting on 10/05/2027 – Ending on 14/05/2027

Looking forward to meeting you in Lisbon!

Prioritizing You: Self-Care for Resilient Educators is a transformative, hands-on 5-day program designed exclusively for teachers and educational staff who need to step back, recharge, and build sustainable emotional resilience. Set in the relaxing and inspiring city of Lisbon, this course blends practical wellness training with enriching cultural experiences. It’s time to invest in yourself so you can return to your students with a renewed mind, a healthy body, and a lasting passion for education.

Duration: 5 days (25 – 30 hours)

Target:
teachers working with all types of learners in both formal and non- formal context; staff in educational institutions; trainers.

Objectives:

Identify the signs of stress and burnout and implement proactive, research-based self-care strategies.
Practice and lead mindfulness exercises (such as breathing techniques, grounding, and sensory awareness) tailored for both educators and students.
Cultivate emotional regulation and resilience to manage challenging classroom environments and daily educational pressures.
Design a personalized Well-being Action Plan to sustain healthy habits and personal self-care beyond the training.
Network and collaborate with international peers, creating a supportive community focused on mental health in education.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise and identify common signs, symptoms and contributing factors of stress and burnout in educational settings, identifying when additional professional support may be needed.
• Demonstrate and facilitate basic mindfulness exercises, including breathing techniques, grounding and sensory awareness, adapting them to the needs of educators and learners.
• Apply evidence-informed self-care and stress-management strategies to strengthen emotional regulation, resilience and well-being when facing challenging classroom situations and everyday professional pressures.
• Design and implement a personalised Well-being Action Plan, incorporating realistic self-care routines, healthy habits, stress-management techniques and strategies to maintain well-being beyond the training.
• Integrate practical mindfulness and well-being activities into educational practice to support a more balanced, supportive and emotionally aware learning environment.
• Collaborate and exchange good practices with international peers, sharing experiences, exploring approaches to mental health and well-being in education, and building professional connections to support continued learning and mutual support.

Programme:
Day 1 – Is Stress Already Taking Over? 
Presentation of training institutions, trainers and participants
Introduction to the programme, warmers and icebreakers
Mapping our triggers – Presentation of current challenges and coping mechanisms participants already use

Day 2 – Becoming Aware of My Inner Space 
Introduction to Mindfulness
Micro-practices for the classroom – Breathing exercises and grounding techniques
Emotional awareness and regulation tools

Day 3 – How to Teach with Joy 
The Pillars of Self-Care
Practicing self-compassion and overcoming “educator guilt”
Creative expression and movement

Day 4 – How Can Tech Be a Support and Not a Stressor?
Digital well-being – Establishing boundaries with technology and emails
Mindful communication with students, parents, and colleagues
Practical tasks

Dia 5 – I’m ready to transform Education!
Knowledge into action
It all comes together
Networking, closing, and evaluation of the course.

Course details:

Course Fee: €400 per participant (5 training days × €80/day)
Includes:
– Course preparation and delivery by qualified trainers.
– Five days of structured training, including workshops, practical activities and group discussions
– Training materials and educational resources
– Administrative and organisational costs
– Certificate of participation (upon 80% attendance)
– Europass Mobility (upon 80% attendance)
– Pre-course coordination and participant support.

Not included: Travel, accommodation, meals and local transportation. These expenses are the responsibility of the participants or their sending organisations.

Register HERE.

Upcoming session
1) Starting on 26/04/2027 – Ending on 30/04/2027

Looking forward to meeting you in Lisbon!

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDUCATION

Are you ready to bridge the gap between traditional teaching and the digital future?

The Digital Transformation in Education course is a dynamic, hands-on 5-day program designed to empower educators with the digital pedagogical skills needed for the modern classroom. Set in the vibrant city of Lisbon, this course blends intensive, practical training with cultural experiences, allowing you to learn, network, and transform your teaching practice.

Duration: 5 days (25 – 30 hours)

Target:

• teachers working with all types of learners in both formal and non- formal context
• staff in educational institutions
• trainers

Objectives:

• Identify and integrate cutting-edge classroom management and presentation tools into their daily teaching.
• Gamify the learning experience using interactive quiz apps and language-learning platforms to boost student engagement.
• Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically and effectively as an assistant for lesson planning, material creation, and productivity.
• Design and implement digital-first lesson plans that seamlessly combine technology with pedagogy.
• Network and collaborate with international peers, sharing best practices in a supportive environment.

Learning Outcomes:
1.Identify and select appropriate digital classroom management and presentation tools to enhance teaching effectiveness and support learner engagement.
2.Design and implement gamified learning activities using interactive quiz applications and language-learning platforms to increase motivation and active participation.
3.Apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools ethically and effectively to support lesson planning, develop educational materials, and improve teaching productivity, while considering data protection, copyright, and responsible use.
4.Develop digital-first lesson plans that integrate digital tools, interactive resources, and sound pedagogical approaches to address diverse learning needs and learning objectives.
5.Collaborate and network with international peers, exchanging good practices, sharing digital teaching resources, and developing ideas for applying innovative approaches in their own educational contexts.
6.Evaluate the educational value of digital tools and AI-supported activities, identifying opportunities for improvement and adapting their use to different teaching and learning contexts.

Programme:

Day 1 – Is Digital Transformation already happening?
Presentation of organizations, trainers and participants
Introduction to the programme, warmers and icebreakers
Presentation of tools.

Day 2 – Becoming aware of my Digital Transformation
Classroom management tools
Presentation tools – Nearpod, Thing Link, NoteBookLM
Presentation tools – Mentimeter, Canva

Day 3 – Learning how to teach with fun!
Quiz tools – Flippity, Quizlet, Quizizz
Language learning apps
QR Codes

Day 4 – How can the AI be a tool and not a replacement?
AI apps
AI prompts
Practical tasks

Dia 5 – I’m ready to transform Education!
Knowledge into action
It all comes together; Networking
Closing and evaluation of the course; certificates.

Course details:

Course Fee: €400 per participant (5 training days × €80/day)
Includes:

• Course preparation and delivery by qualified trainers.
• Five days of structured training, including workshops, practical activities and group discussions
• Training materials and educational resources
• Administrative and organisational costs
• Certificate of participation (upon 80% attendance)
• Europass Mobility  (upon 80% attendance)
• Pre-course coordination and participant support.

Not included: Travel, accommodation, meals and local transportation. These expenses are the responsibility of the participants or their sending organisations.

Register HERE.

Upcoming session
1) Starting on 12/04/2027 – Ending on 16/04/2027

Looking forward to meeting you in Lisbon!

Empowering Voices: Human Rights & Inclusive Pedagogy is an interactive 5-day program designed for adult educators, trainers, and community leaders. Set in the vibrant, multicultural city of Lisbon, this course equips participants with practical tools, participatory methodologies, and human rights-based frameworks to address social inequality, encourage critical thinking, and build truly inclusive learning environments for diverse adult learners.

Duration: 5 days (25-30 hours)

Language: English

Target:
teachers working with all types of adult learners in both formal and non- formal context
staff of educational institutions
trainers

Objectives:
– Apply Human Rights Education (HRE) principles to learning contexts and non-formal education frameworks.
– Identify and deconstruct implicit bias, discrimination, and barriers faced by marginalized learners (e.g., migrants, seniors, disadvantaged socio-economic groups).
– Utilize participatory, learner-centered methodologies to address sensitive issues.
– Design inclusive learning activities and curricula that promote social justice, active citizenship, and democratic participation.
-Network and collaborate with international education practitioners to build inclusive European educational projects.

Programme:
Day 1 – Where Do Human Rights Begin?
Presentation of hosting organization, represented schools/organizations, trainers and participants
Human Rights in our everyday practice – Presentation of tools and approaches

Day 2 – Understanding the Adult Learner
Core frameworks – Human Rights Education (HRE), intersectionality, and addressing privilege in the classroom with practical examples
Deconstructing stereotypes and implicit bias in adult learning spaces
Creating safe and brave spaces for difficult conversations and vulnerable learners

Day 3 – Learning How to Teach for Empowerment
Transformative pedagogy
Storytelling and narrative methodologies for social inclusion
Practical tasks

Day 4 – How Can Tech Be a Support and Not a Stressor
Gamification and interactive tools for teaching civic rights and active citizenship
Adapting learning materials to meet diverse accessibility, linguistic, and cultural needs
Addressing contemporary Human Rights challenges: Digital rights, climate justice, and migration in adult education

Dia 5 – I’m ready to transform Education!
Knowledge into action
It all comes together
Networking
Closing and evaluation of the course

Learning Outcomes
1. Apply Human Rights Education (HRE) principles to formal, non-formal and adult learning contexts, integrating human rights, equality, dignity and democratic values into educational practice.
2. Identify and critically analyse implicit bias, discrimination and barriers to participation experienced by marginalised learners, including migrants, older adults and/or people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
3. Facilitate participatory and learner-centred learning activities using methodologies such as Theatre of the Oppressed, story circles and critical dialogue to explore sensitive issues and encourage reflection, empathy and mutual understanding.
4. Design inclusive learning activities and educational programmes that promote social justice, equal opportunities, active citizenship and democratic participation, responding to the diverse needs and experiences of adult learners.
5. Apply inclusive facilitation strategies to create safe, respectful and accessible learning environments where participants can express different perspectives, challenge stereotypes and engage in constructive dialogue.
6. Exchange experiences and good practices with international education practitioners, identifying opportunities for cross-border collaboration and developing initial ideas for inclusive European educational projects.
7. Develop an action plan for integrating Human Rights Education into professional practice, identifying practical approaches to address discrimination, strengthen inclusion and promote a human rights-based learning culture.

Course details:

Course Fee: €400 per participant (5 training days × €80/day)
Includes:

• Course preparation and delivery by qualified trainers.
• Five days of structured training, including workshops, practical activities and group discussions
• Training materials and educational resources
• Administrative and organisational costs
• Certificate of participation (upon 80% attendance)
• Europass Mobility  (upon 80% attendance)
• Pre-course coordination and participant support.

Not included: Travel to Lisbon, accommodation, meals and local transportation. These expenses are the responsibility of the participants or their sending organisations.

 Pre-Register HERE .

Looking forward to be meeting you in Lisbon!

The National Erasmus+ Education and Training Agency, in partnership with the National Erasmus+ Youth, Sport and European Solidarity Corps Agency, held the III Erasmus+ Gala that day. The event, held at the Portugal Pavilion in Lisbon, marked the official launch of the Erasmus+ 2026 Call and celebrated all the people, entities and institutions that contributed to the success of the Erasmus+ Program in 2025.

More information about the event can be found here.

Project name: “Time for Rights II”
Duration: 18 months – From 09/01/2024 to 02/28/2026
Topics: Human Rights and rule of law
Active aging
Education for global citizenship
Intercultural learning
Digital content and pedagogical practices

Project objectives:
– Recognition of the identity and image of Associação Spin as a non-formal adult education entity and consolidation of its internationalization
– Development and improvement of the technical, linguistic and personal skills and competencies of the Association’s staff
– Improving quality and innovation in adult training promoted by Spin
– Improvement of basic skills in digital literacy, foreign language and soft skills of 8 seniors with fewer opportunities.

Planned activities:
1. Job shadowings and international training courses for Spin staff, with the aim of learning new technical knowledge, practices and methods to develop new ideas, share new know-how with the entire team and improve the quality of training actions of the Association. The selection criteria will be: 40% Curriculum (Valuation of international experiences in the past, communication and networking skills); 30% Knowledge of a foreign language; 30% Motivation and availability to participate in mobility.

2. “Time of Rights” training cycle for 8 senior apprentices (over 55 years old) and final event Biblioteca Viva. Activities carried out by Associação Spin, not financed by the project but an integral part. Calendar and schedule available soon.

3. Hosting of an international specialist invited to one of the sessions of the training cycle on an Open Day basis to the public.

4. International mobility of senior apprentices (location to be determined).
This is an international group mobility that will involve apprentices participating in the 2nd edition of the training sessions on human rights “Time for Rights” and 2 companions from Associação Spin with the objective of learning in the context of voluntary action, for 1 week, in November 2025.
It will serve to integrate the knowledge obtained during training, combined with practical experience and acquisition of new learning.

For group mobility, 8 senior participants will be selected.
Selection criteria:
-be over 55 years old
-motivation for learning
-be resident in Portugal
-availability and interest in traveling outside the country
-obstacles and/or fewer opportunities in life
-be a member of the Spin Association.

In the event of a tie, priority will be given to registrations from residents in Carnide, participants in more than one previous activity of the Association and in order of arrival of registrations. The gender balance in the group will also be taken into account. Participants will be selected by three members of the Association’s staff after checking the registration forms and conducting an individual interview with each registrant.

Registration for participation in the training cycle and international group mobility (volunteering) will open soon!

The program of this mobility includes volunteering actions carried out in organization(s) that promote human rights, within the scope of their activities, cultural visits to places of pedagogical-cultural interest in the host city and at the end after return, carrying out of a final “living library” event.

The “Living Library” is an innovative, simple and concrete method to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices, break stereotypes and improve understanding between people of different ages, sexes, lifestyles and cultural background. This event will be open to the public, with several “books” (books are human) and a catalog of “titles” (stories) from senior learners and will promote respect for human rights as well as stimulate intercultural and intergenerational dialogue.

For more information, contact: international@a-spin.pt or call 21 7145520 (between 10am and 5pm).

Project co-funded by Erasmus+