Project News

Below you can read news articles of the ongoing projects.

EKFI PLUS project evaluation completed with excellent rating!

The project and its components have been assessed by the EU. The project was completed with a score of 8.5. The assessors were impressed by the quality of the delivered products, such as an educational model that should help teachers develop learning materials; an extension of the learning materials platform (ekfi.eu) with a learning materials development module and two learning materials modules, one on circular economy for the graphic media sector and one on Mixed reality in print, SIGN and packaging.

Are you interested?

Then visit the project website: https://www.ekfi-project.com/ or register on the EKFI platform to upload and download learning materials: ekfi.eu.

The EKFI PLUS project “Innovation through collaboration” aimed to improve the development of new innovative learning materials for education and training. The project has extended the existing EKFI platform (ekfi.eu) and added functions that support the development of learning materials. In this way, it contributes to strengthening international cooperation between teachers and using each other's competences instead of just developing and focusing on the own (school) situation: Innovating through cooperation. It also offers the opportunity to approach teachers in Europe and invite them to use the EKFI platform and the results that are developed in this project during this new project. This offers the opportunity to improve the existing platform if necessary based on more use and therefore more user experiences.

In addition, two packages of teaching materials have been developed. These can be downloaded free of charge from the website.

The learning material published in 5 languages

On the projectwebsite of EKFI PLUS all learning material (student manual and teachesr manual) of Mixed reality in print, sign and packaging media and Circular economy is published. The material can be downloaded at the button Download in 5 languages: Englisch, Dutch, Estonian, Greek and Spanish. More free learning material can be downloaded at the EKFI platform: ekfi.eu. You can also use the CREATE button there to develop new learning materials, with or without (inter)national partners. You can register for a free account and then receive so-called ekfis with which you can obtain material. You can also earn ekfis by uploading material yourself and writing reviews.

EKFI PLUS at IC stand at DRUPA 2024 Hall 7 Booth GO1 

EKFI will be present at the Drupa in Dusseldorf, Germany, the main event in Europe focussed on professionals from the print and media industry.  The event is from the 28th of May till the 7th of June. EKFI PLUS participates in the location of IC- International Circle of Educational Institutes of Graphic-Media Technology and Management, Helgramed and the International Association of Research Organizations for the Information, Media and Graphic Arts Industries (Iarigai). The Booth is in Hall 7, Booth GO1. Link to the Drupa site: click here.

Free learning resources for companies in the creative and graphic media sector

Companies in the graphic media sector can download knowledge via the European EKFI platform and use it within their company. The EKFI platform was initially developed for teachers from graphic schools in MBO/HBO and university to exchange educational resources and research aimed at the sector. But companies can also use this. Some companies in Spain and The Netherlands already did this. The platform is accessible via ekfi.eu.

How does it work?

Go to ekfi.eu. Click "join" and create a new account. You can log in after the confirmation email. By registering (free) you get access to the database with teaching materials and research, in various languages, including Dutch. When you register you will receive 100 points with which you can download material. If you publish material on the platform yourself, you get 100 points each time. So uploading earns points, downloading costs points. There are currently approximately 145 publications available.

Create

Furthermore, a new functionality has recently been added: the project-based development of knowledge in a team (in-company, national or international). Via the "create" button you can start a project to develop knowledge (learning resources). This development function is supported by an educational knowledge model, project and process management.

The EKFI platform has been developed for the graphic media sector with the support of Erasmus+ subsidy from the EU. Within this project, knowledge about Circular Economy aimed at the sector and Mixed reality in Print, Sign and Packaging media is also developed. Both publications will soon be published on ekfi.eu.

More information about this project can be found at: https://www.ekfi-project.com.

Free learning resources for the creative and graphic media sector

Research shows that in education (especially Vocational and Higher Education), much teaching material is developed by the teachers themselves. Result: on the same subject there are different versions of teaching materials, not only in different countries, but also among educational and training institutions in different schools in the same country! Exchange of material is not that common. That is why we started the EKFI project. This EU-subsidized project, which started in 2018, aimed to develop a platform where teachers and developers can upload learning materials and research and also download material. And with the stock market closed. At this point you can go to the EKFI platform, see ekfi.eu. About 150 publications have now been uploaded to this platform in various themes such as: technology, digitalization, quality, OHS and environment, Circular economy, management, marketing, leadership and self-assessment tools. If you register as a user you will receive points to download learning resources. The same applies if you upload material yourself or write reviews, translate material, etc. The platform was mainly developed during Corona times when schools had other things on their minds such as developing new material. We also noticed that teachers had difficulty sharing material just like that. That's why we started EKFI PLUS. More information at: https://www.ekfi-project.com/.

EKFI PLUS

In this project we focus on the further rollout of the platform, but also on the joint development of learning resources, alone, together in our own country, school or company or across borders. An educational model has been developed for this purpose and the platform is being expanded with a development module. The additional options will be added to the existing platform in mid-March.

This new EKFI tool provides the opportunity to collaborate on developing and writing the learning material at national and European/international level. This includes finding partners with like-minded needs. Support at didactic level. Project management and process management support. This tool helps organize the learning material development process. Developing in teams will lead to an improvement in efficiency (saving time and money) and an increase in the quality and innovativeness of the learning materials by making use of different competencies of the participants.

Benefits of collaboration

Creating your own learning materials offers several benefits:

• Personalization: Tailoring content to students' needs and preferences meets diverse learning styles, promoting comprehension and retention. It also allows you to adjust the pace of instruction.
• Deeper Understanding: Developing materials deepens teachers' understanding of the subject through research, analysis and curation, increasing their ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Relevance: Personalized materials stay current by integrating the latest research, trends and applications, keeping content current in a rapidly changing world.
• Creativity: Creating materials stimulates creativity, allowing teachers to design engaging activities and teaching methods that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Connection: Personalized materials demonstrate effort and care, strengthen the connection between teacher and student, and promote a positive learning environment.

By creating their own materials, teachers improve the quality of education, personalize the learning process, ensure relevance, promote creativity and strengthen relationships between teachers and students.

What is EKFI

EKFI is an exchange platform for the exchange of learning materials and research reports and other information that can be used by the target groups: vocational and higher education, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the creative industry. It is a web-based application with a database of existing learning/research materials (from various sources). You can also develop learning materials independently or in a team, supported by tools on the platform (see CREATE button).

Encourage exchange within the EU
The platform has been developed to stimulate the exchange of educational resources and research between institutes within a country and between (EU) countries. The system allows the material to be exchanged without monetary payment. This allows savings on the development of new learning materials.

Enrich existing material
Existing learning material can be enriched with new material or new insights. The learning resources can then be used for a new purpose. In addition, users of the platform can have their material assessed by other users (peer review). The material can also be translated to make it available in more languages.

Upload and download material
This database is filled by uploading learning materials and other materials. Uploading can be accessed via the button: Upload. First, you describe these learning/research materials to meet educational standards/formats to meet entry requirements. Then you upload the material. The Search button allows the user to search for the required learning/research module(s).
You can download the material with which you redeem the collected points via the button: Get material and then select Download.

The why of EKFI
The EKFI platform makes existing learning/research material transparent.
In countries where there are fewer resources for development, they can use learning resources developed by institutes further innovating. In countries where certain techniques have disappeared, and therefore also the training for them, you can use learning resources that are still available in other countries. Uploaded learning resources can be improved or supplemented by the knowledge of teachers/developers who have downloaded the learning resources (and later uploaded them again). The material can be translated for countries where it is not yet available.
Collaborating in developing and therefore bundling the competencies of the various participants can result in efficiency and quality improvement.
By working together to develop materials, the developers strengthen each other by joining different forces. A well-known saying applies here: alone you go faster, together you go further.

A happy New Year!

A lot of work is being done in the EKFI PLUS project to develop the technical infrastructure of the platform and to shape the learning resources for Circular Economy and Mixed reality in Print, Sign and Packaging media. We will continue to do this in 2024. Everything will be completed and the project will be closed at the end of August.

On behalf of all partners and developers and teachers involved, I wish you a great 2024!

Sustainability project approved by the EU

Good news. Before Christmas we received the message from the National agency that our report and therefore the project had been approved. We had a good overall score of 7.9 for all aspcts of the project. Information on the project and the downloads of all material you can find on the website: https://www.sustainable-salon.info/.

EKFI PLUS develops new training courses

Stivako is project leader of the EKFI PLUS project. In this project, two new courses are being developed for MBO and HBO courses in the graphic media sector.

The technically oriented course is about Mixed reality in Print, Sign and Packaging media.

Mixed reality (MR) in print and sign media offers an innovative and attractive way to convey information and messages to a wider audience. By using MR, print media can become more interactive, dynamic and memorable. This technology can create a more immersive experience for the viewer, allowing them to interact with information in a way that is not possible with traditional print media. MR in print and sign media can also provide a new platform for advertisers and marketers to reach their target audience, creating more attractive and effective marketing campaigns. Overall, MR in print and sign media offers a new way to communicate information and messages, making it an exciting and valuable tool for a variety of industries.

The entrepreneur-oriented course is Circular Economy.

What is a circular economy? In a circular economy, raw materials are used, reused and recycled as efficiently as possible. This reduces dependence on finite raw materials and prevents waste. The goal is to create a system in which valuable raw materials remain in use for as long as possible, instead of being thrown away after one use. The circular economy offers many benefits for both society and the environment. Efficient use of raw materials can grow the economy while reducing pressure on natural resources. The circular economy can also contribute to creating new jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. How can we transition to a circular economy? The transition to a circular economy is a major challenge and requires cooperation between government, companies and consumers. For example, companies can invest in sustainable technologies and adapt their production processes to minimize waste. Governments can introduce regulations to stimulate the circular economy and consumers can adjust their own behavior by, for example, choosing sustainable products and separating waste.

Information

Two teams of experts from 5 countries are currently working on the development, which will be completed around February 2024. Would you like more information about these new courses or contribute to their evaluation? Please contact us by email: info@stivako.nl

What is the EKFI-platform?

The EKFI platform can be found at: ekfi.eu. You can register for free to access this exchange platform for learning resources in the creative industry.

EKFI is an exchange platform for the exchange of learning material and research reports and other information which can be used by the target groups: VET and HEs, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the Culture and Creative Industries (CCI). It is a web based applications with a database of existing learning/research material (from various sources).

The platform has been developed to stimulate exchange between institutes within a country and between (EU) countries. A system has been chosen in which the material can be exchanged without a monetary payment. This allows savings to be made in the development of new learning materials. Existing learning materials can be enriched with new material or new insights. The unused resources can then be used for a new purpose. In addition, the users of the platform can have their material reviewed by other users (peer review).

Developers/Teachers meeting successful

During the Developers/Teachers meeting in Ghent in mid-June 2023, the developers and teachers involved from the 5 partner institutes started the development of learning tools on Circular Economy and Mixed Reality in Print, Sign & Packaging Media. The meeting started with an introduction of the project, the educational model and the EKFI platform. The group was then divided into two parts. One group started with initial discussions on Circular Economy and the other group on Mixed Reality in Print, Sign & Packaging Media. Agreements were made on content, teachers' handbooks, scheduling and online meetings. The first online meetings will take place before the summer and from September. Media January 2024 should have developed the first draft material. The second offline developer/teacher meeting in Barcelona in February 2024 can evaluate the concepts.

​

First results in Second Partner meeting in Ghent Belgium 

At the partner meeting in Ghent, the first results of the EKFI-PLUS project were discussed. The Educational Model was developed and discussed in concept. The final changes are being incorporated and the final report will be discussed at the third meeting in October in Tallinn. A start was also made on the development of the E-tools. The technical analyses have been made and discussed. Building the software will start in the summer.
In preparation for the Developers/Teachers conference, which followed the partner conference, the broad outlines regarding the learning tools to be developed were discussed. 

Disseminating the outputs of Sustainable salon at European level

The activity of disseminating, at European level, the results of the Erasmus project “Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons https://www.sustainable-salon.info/ found an important occasion in the meeting of the European Social Dialogue Committee for Personal Services which was held in Brussels on 21 March 2023.

Istituto Veneto del Lavoro, Italian partner of the project, (Associated partner Camera Italiana dell’Acconciatura) presented the comprehensive approach  project to sustainability during the meeting attended by  Coiffure EU https://www.coiffure.eu/  and Uni Europa Hair & Beauty https://www.uni-europa.org/sectors/hair-beauty/ , the European organizations representatives of businesses and workers in the hairdressing and well-being sector  

IVL presented all the outputs the project wants to achieve, (the profile of the 2030 hairdresser, Development of an evaluation system for environmental sustainability in schools and in salons, production of online tools for self-assessment of the level of competence on environmental issues, dissemination of communication materials for use with customers and partners)  but focused on the production of learning materials.

The school partners of the project developed “Learning materials” for students available to schools, including textbooks, assignments, teachers manual, including a lesson plan with time division, teachers resources kits. All the materials are divided in 3 levels of detail and the 4 languages of the project (English, Dutch, Spanish ant Italian). These outputs will help teachers and students to introduce sustainability in the well-being sector of tomorrow.

The presentation has indicated the web site of the project as a fundamental lasting resource for bringing the output available for schools students, hairdressers salons, representative organizations to support sustainability in the sector.

The presentation collected the high interest amongst trade unions and hairdressers to participate in disseminating the project results and in making sustainability aspects as part of the next project on the implementation of the social partner agreement.

First conference EKFI PLUS a success! 

The EKFI PLUS-project has started with a first kick off conference in the beginning of December 2022 in Deventer, The Netherlands.

This project aims to improve the development of new innovative learning materials for education and training. The project will extend the existing EKFI platform and add features that will support the development of learning materials. In this way it contributes to strengthening international cooperation between teachers and the use of each other's competences rather than developing alone and focused on the own (school) situation: Innovation through cooperation. It also provides an opportunity to approach educators in Europe after the COVID-19 pandemic and invite them during this new project to use the EKFI platform and the outputs to be developed in this project. ​

Context

As partners in the EKFI project and as research shows that in education many teaching materials are developed by the teachers themselves. Exchange of material is not so common. That is why we initiated the Erasmus+ project EKFI. This project aimed to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate exchange innovative learning and research material, to map the competence needs and match these needs with the suitable learning/research module(s). This EKFI platform (ekfi.eu) is built and the project has been completed on 31-12-2021. Many learning modules have now been uploaded since the putting into use in October 2021. A recent study by our Greek partner shows that existing authoring tools are not very efficient and supportive for authors and concludes that the lack of resources leads to the avoidance of collaborations for writing educational material. In discussions between the partners and with third parties like employers organizations and EGIN it emerged that the exchange of existing learning materials was a good start. But joint development of new learning materials within our sector (and specifically within the communication and media sector) is a necessity to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in view of the developments that are facing the sector.

The main objective of “Innovation through cooperation“ is to bring together educators, lecturers and teachers, scientists from various European countries that will work jointly in developing and authoring the learning material at a European/International level. The extended platform will include innovative tools for enhancing and supporting the cooperation, so the teachers/authors will work together to develop the learning material. By organizing this development process learning material can be developed in groups which leads to an improvement in efficiency (saving time and money) and an increase in the quality and innovativeness of the teaching materials by using different competences of the participants. During the project we deliver four results in the workpackages, namely:
1. an educational model for teachers to work in an efficient way and with the latest didactic insights in developing learning material in an (international) team.
2. software as a new part of EKFI-platform (ICT tools) supporting search for pears and defining the request, developing learning material using the results of output 1, project management and social interaction between the participants in the development group
3. develop new technical/digital learning material supported by the output of 1 and 2

4. develop new entrepreneurial/management learning material with output 1 and 2 on Circular economy in creative industry.

Final version practical environmental system Hair & Beauty published 

For smaller companies in particular, the step towards a certifiable environmental management system is often too big to take at first. This environmental system has been developed especially for these companies to help them improve their practical environmental care step by step. This practical environmental care system is being developed within the framework of the European cooperation project Sustainable Salons. The participating partners want an environmentally friendly and safe working environment for all employees and students in the hairdressing sector and schools. Therefore, this environmental care system has been developed and can be introduced and used in salons and schools free of charge. This system provides background information and a method for assessing and improving the environmental performance of a salon or school. It includes practical measures to work in an environmentally friendly way. Aim: to prevent, limit or solve environmental risks. The basis for this is good information and involvement of employees. See Output 2: Environmental sustainability system. The English version was published the 1st of March and Dutch version on the 20th of March. 

New EU-project has started: EKFI-plus

In recent years we have developed the EKFI platform in a European consortium. Here developers, teachers, schools can exchange learning materials with others with closed purse. This project also revealed the need to develop teaching materials more together across borders. We have submitted an application to Erasmus+ for a subsidy. This has been awarded and this project will run from September 2022.

We will start developing an education model and the ICT tools that will be integrated into the existing EKFI platform (ekfi.eu). Learning materials created in a structured method in collaboration with other authors/teachers using the newly developed modules on the web-based platform that support the search for like-minded partners, define the definition of the development need and provide tools to facilitate the development. And can provide process and team support at different levels.

Research shows that teachers mainly develop subject matter at an individual level. The lack of tools to support the writing and writing of learning materials leads to individual development of learning materials in a common field/topic, which in many cases is not written under specific quality guidelines and does not take into account other mindsets and knowledge of others. Working in teams, with different competencies and knowledge base, can yield high-quality innovative learning material with a different knowledge base. This with less effort and costs. Certainly if this material is distributed to a larger group of institutes via the platform.

Revising and extending, translating or updating learning materials further increases the quality and usability. The exchange method (exchanging material for points) also contributes to making learning materials accessible at institutions with fewer resources or capacities.

In this project we will also develop two sets of Learning Materials desired by the sector. One focused on technology and digitization. This learning method will also be used to test the education model and the ICT tools based on it in the practice of a development process by a team of authors/teachers in an international team. The second set of learning resources focuses on the environment and the fight against climate change: This project aligns with this priority by developing learning materials focused on circular economy and CO2 reduction in the communication sector. Research has been conducted in the sector into the various aspects of the circular economy and CO2 reduction and the involvement of companies in this. In the coming years there will be a demand for more specific information about this for and in the sector. This learning method is also used to test the model and the ICT tools.

The exchange platform developed in the project with its search options and the use of the exchange system contributes to the priority: “Further strengthening key competences in MBO” by increasing the quality, supply and accessibility of learning materials and research results within the CCI. This by being able to offer (new) users in an efficient way and supported by the search options for learning resources with the associated learning results. Thanks to the available learning resources on the platform, the platform can contribute to the need for new competencies and thus changing job profiles and to strengthening key competencies due to the changing circumstances in the industry. Uploaded learning material can also be improved and expanded by the downloader(s) so that the quality can increase and the objectives can be better achieved. The original uploader can use and benefit from these innovations/improvements and additions.

Participate in online seminar EGIN on EKFI exchange platform

Friday 20 May EGIN organizes a online event on our project: Innovation through cooperation (EKFI extended). This is an extended project of the EKFI project that finished last year. EKFI is the database with learning materials and research. The new project aims at: Development of an educational model in order to facilitate cooperative production of teaching and learning materials; development of tools to facilitate this production process; the production of materials on technonlogy and the circular economy to facilitate testing of the models being produced in the first two outputs.By Prof. Dr. Anastasios E. Politis, HELGRAMED and GRAPHMEDLAB, Greece

The event will run on the Zoom Platform. If you wish to participate you can use the following link to get access to this event.
Join the event using the link, only on the time you need to get access to the event: click on link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88294756004?pwd=ak04ZklhTG54Z2tyZ0tCSS94NWhRZz09

Do you want free access to the EKFI platform, co-financed by the EU (Erasmus+ program) please go to: https://ekfi.eu and register.

Well-attended Multiplier event in Malaga 

On Thursday 12 May, a multiplier event was organized in Malaga as part of the Sustainable salon project. During this 4.5 hour event in a beautiful location in Malaga, approximately 110 visitors from the Hair and Beauty sector, hairdressing schools from all over Andalusia and local authorities attended the presentations, visited the information market and had time to network at the end of the evening. In the presentations, attention was paid to research into relevant developments in technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship and the significance for the competences of the hairdresser; the various aspects of the environment in the hairdressing salon were discussed and one of the self-assessment tools developed was tested with the visitors present. About 85 visitors completed the scan for environmental awareness in the salon.

The information market with stands of the various parties involved was also well attended and most visitors only left for home towards the close of the evening. Both on the evening and the following Friday, many positive reactions were heard and there was a lot of interest among salon owners and teachers for additional information. All in all a successful event! 

Self-assessment tools Sustainable salon project in concept ready

In the past months the staff of El Palo and Stivako developed the questionnaires on environment in the sustainable salon. Four self-assessment tools were developed: two awareness scans, one for the schools, one for the salons. Also an extensive scan has been developed with which the schools and salon owners can map the state of affairs with regard to the environment in their school or salon. The fourth scan focuses on the organizational aspects of environmental care in the hairdressing business. These scans are based on the research done by Stivako into the various environmental aspects in the hair salon. This information was tested in practice and further supplemented by the project partners during and after the partner meeting in Oudenaarde. Information on and access to the scans you can find on the page Output and download, ore click here!

Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons in Belgium

The project Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons (Sustainable Salon) had its 2nd offline meeting in Oudenaarde, Belgium.
In this Erasmus+ project, we have gather facts through an inventory of the hairdresser's future competences in, the situation in a sustainable salon and focus on environmental aspects (core of a simple standard). In the meeting on 27th and 28th of January 2022, we discussed the concept report on the future developments and competences. In the ext month the report will be published on the website. We also continued on working on the sustainable standard. And we have made the first preparations on developing a self-assessment tools to map the current situation on the gap of the level towards the sustainability system on environment and sustainability in schools (salon) and on learning material focussed on the environment in a sustainable salon and awareness material on sustainability.
The project works with student participation along the project. Using the competences of the different partners, heir network, the experts, entrepreneurs in the sector and the teachers and students in the conferences and at home in the schools we combine knowledge and perseverance to finalize the task in a good way.

Partner conference EKFI-project in Tallinn: finishing the Exchange platform and Multiplier event successful. 

The EKFI-project had its final “live” meeting at the Tallinn Polytechnikum in Tallinn Estonia. The central issues of this last partner meeting were:

• Presentation of the final adjustments of applications of the EKFI-platform and finalize the technical building of the application.
• The uploading of learning material on the platform of the partners and other institutes.
• Dissemination and impact activities in the period till 2022.
• Planning further activities and finance and administration.

The aim of the EKFI project is to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s) on the web based platform. The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET and HE institutes, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI).

The Exchange platform can be visited on the address: https://ekfi.eu. Registration is free!

Multiplier event

Due to COVID-19 was only a small live event possible. Without the partners of the project 25 persons could follow the event in the institute. Beside the live event our Estonian partner organized an online event, recorded in the television studio and broadcasted by Youtube. See: https://youtu.be/IjhmX7sS6J0​

Partners

The partnership entails partners from VET education at the initial level and higher / academic education and a ICT company to realize the platform as an internet application.​

More information? Visit the project website: www.ekfi-project.com.

The project “Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons (Sustainable salon)”

Has organized her first offline meeting in Milan, Italy due to COVID-19. During this three days meeting we discussed the inventory in the partner countries and the first ideas on a certification system on environment in the sustainable salon.

This project has as central aim to create educational products and will include:​

• workshops on sustainability and innovation, teaching materials for schools and extracurricular education about sustainability in the 'sustainable' hair salon;
• development of a profile of a hairdresser and its competences (sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship) in 2030;
• a simplified low threshold system to label sustainability/environment for schools (salon);
• a self-assessment internet tool on competence level and measuring the gap on profiles and future competences and the gap of the level towards the sustainability system;
• specific learning material on sustainability/environment focussed on the sector and
• awareness tools to use in VET and salons to use in communication with employees and clients on the subjects.

The developed outcomes can be applied for the project target groups: VET-institutes, SMEs, sector organizations and others in the Hair & Beauty sector.

More information you can find on www.sustainable-salon.info or contact your local partner.

The EKFI-project on track

The project "Exchange knowledge for future innovation" aims to rethink an old problem - namely the gap between the companies and organizations - the world of work - and the needs and requirements for skilled people and the education world with their study programs and curricula , in a new perspective. Closing this gap effectively can be served by merging the two worlds with innovative ICT applications.

Its main application is the innovative Map & Match web platform for enhancing learning in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). Context / background: The CCI continues to evolve with structural changes.

The sub-sectors: media, visual communication, print and publishing, art, design, advertising, gaming, film/photography, internet and (to some extent) packaging are changing rapidly and the educational material: research and learning material usually follows.

Objectives of this project: The current project aims to explore innovative approaches to scanning needs and requirements for knowledge, skills and competences of the CCI and matching them with the appropriate existing research and learning material based on learning outcomes. Main objective is to create an exchange platform, facilitate innovative learning and research material, map the competence needs (user) and match these needs with the appropriate learning/research module(s). The web-based platform and applications run on the platform.

The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET & HEs, SMEs, entrepreneurs, sector organizations, social partners in the CCI. It will work as a set of ICT applications (IOs): a database of existing learning and research materials (from different sources) will be created by uploading educational materials to an Exchange platform (O1). The upload will be supported by the Intake application (O2) where the learning and research materials will be described and meet certain educational standards and formats to meet the entry requirements. Also, a value of the uploaded material will be determined according to the exchange system. The search robot (O4) allows the user to map the competency needs and meet these needs with the appropriate learning/research module(s). The material download uses the Barter System (O3) purchase app. The barter system is a barter system in which goods are exchanged directly for other goods without using a medium of exchange, such as money. In the project we develop the criteria under which uploading and downloading takes place and according to which the value of the uploaded materials is determined and the value with which materials can be downloaded. Barter works with some sort of credit system. During testing, we will use the research into developments and new competences and developed learning materials (in 5 sub-areas of the CCI) of an ongoing Erasmus + project (Thrive!) to test the ICT applications. Research will also be conducted to map existing material with upload potential. More information: www.ekfi.com. 

Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons on the way

On the 20th of April an interim online project meeting took place. Due to the COVID19 crisis was this meeting also online. In this Erasmus+ project, we gather facts through an inventory of the hairdresser's competencies in 2030, the desired situation in a sustainable salon and focus on environmental aspects (core of a simple standard), competences needed to reach this situation. In this meeting we discussed the progress of the research into the status of environmental aspects in the sustainable salon, both the design of the questionnaire and the preliminary first results of the partners in the various participating countries. In addition, the progress in research into the set-up of a simple certification system was discussed.

Col-Creation project organizes pilot training courses

Professionals of the Creative Industries are invited by the COL-CREATION Project to participate in the Pilot training courses organized in Spain, The Netherlands and Bulgaria. “COL-CREATION” is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences of Professionals in the Creative Industry on how to develop successful solutions and business models based on Collaboration. The project consortium, led by the Chamber of Commerce of Valencia, has developed a Training Program divided into several experiential training activities, to be supported by training materials, additional assignments and other tools which are available in a e-Training Platform developed for supporting the training process.

The Training Activities are based in promoting the direct collaboration among trainees and “learning by doing”, where they will put into practice the knowledge and tools along the training course, focusing in the development of creative solutions to real market problems while they develop the targeted collaborative competences. “COL-CREATION” Project invites professionals of creative industries to join to the pilot training courses.

“COL-CREATION” is a European project funded by the ERASMUS + Program implemented between 01/11/2018 and 30/04/2021.

Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons

The project Future skills for a better life in Sustainable Salons (Sustainable Salon) started with a first kick off conference in the beginning of February in Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands. Due to the COVID19 crisis was the two day meeting online. In this Erasmus+ project, we gather facts through an inventory of the hairdresser's competencies in 2030, the desired situation in a sustainable salon and focus on environmental aspects (core of a
simple standard), competences needed to reach this situation and research on two diagnostic selfassessment tools to map the current situation on:
1. competence level and measuring the gap on profile and future competences and
2. the gap of the level towards the sustainability system on environment and sustainability in schools (salon).

The outcomes of the inventory will be discussed with experts and the results will later on serve as the input for developing the self-assessment tools, the learning material on environment in a sustainable salon and awareness material on sustainability. The project works with a final sector conference with student participation along the project. Using the competences of the different partners, their network, the experts, entrepreneurs in the sector and the teachers and students in the conferences and at home in the schools we combine knowledge and perseverance to finalize the task in a good way.

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to make sure that we have and will continue to have water, materials and resources, to protect human health and our environment.

Partners

The participating organizations:

• UBK/UCB, better known in the industry as Coiffure.org, is the occupational federation for all Belgian hairdressers, and specifically for the 6256 employers in the hairdressing sector represented in the national Social Dialogue.
• Camera Italiana dell’Acconciatura (CIA) is the Italian Chamber of Hairstyle, a non-profit National body which groups together, the two Italian Associations of Hairdressers, and has link with two Academy of Hairdresser grouped in INAI.
• EL PALO is a VET-institute in Spain. The educational levels offered by El Palo include baccalaureate, vocational training in beauty, hairdressing and Personal Image Consultant and Social Programs.
• ROC van Amsterdam in the Netherlands is one of the largest community colleges in Europe with approximately 35.000 students; 3.500 part-time and fulltime staff spread over roughly 60 locations.
• IES Universidad Laboral de Málaga is one of the largest Public Secondary and Vocational Training Educational Institutions in the Andalusia region. the center offers a wide variety of training topics and
  resources (both human and material), so that students can train in different professions such as Higher Technician.
• IOFS-FP Lombardia is a VET institute, present on Italian regional territory of Lombardy with six accredited local institutes for vocational training and employment services, dislocated in four provinces: Milano, Monza e Brianza, Pavia and Varese.
• PIVA Oudenaarde was recently renamed and is called Richtpunt campus Oudenaarde nowadays. Our institute is part of the provincial schools of the province of East Flanders. The education we give is based upon pluralism, quality and affordability.
• STIVAKO, a Dutch VET-institute for management and leadership in the print media and creative industries. Stivako is the coordinator of the project.
• Coiffure EU (associated partner) is the European association of national employers’ organisations in hairdressing. Coiffure EU unites, joinstogether, protects and supports the hairdressing sector at the European level.

More information?

Visit the project website: www.sustainable-salon.info.

Skype meeting EKFI-project: creating an Exchange platform, to facilitate exchange of learning/research material. 

The EKFI-project has organized an extra online partner meeting.  The central issues of the partner meeting were:
 

• Report on the status of Covid 19 and the effects on the project-activities per country.

• Presentation of the applications of the EKFI-platform. Discussion on the testing results and suggested adjustments to finish the technical building of the application.

• the uploading of learning material on the platform of the partners and other institutes.

• Dissemination and impact activities in the period October 2020 till February 2021 and the activities in the coming period till April 2021. A new online meeting will be planned next April.

• Adjustment of the date of the next partner meeting in Barcelona and the multiplier event in Thallin.  

The aim of the EKFI project is to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s) on the web based platform. The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET and HE institutes, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI).

Partners

​The partnership entails partners from VET education at the initial level and higher / academic education and a ICT company to realize the platform as an internet application.

​More information?

Visit the project website: www.ekfi-project.com.

Green Salon II project granted

Activities EKFI in slow motion due to COVID 19

The activities of the Stivako EKFI project have been slightly delayed by COVID19. Contact between the partners and the schools, among other things, has only been relatively established because in various countries the VET and HE are closed until after the summer period. Also, the EGIN conference, where the EKFI project would be extensively presented, is canceled. Contacts with EGIN-secretary show that no conference activities are being organized this year due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID19 in the various European countries.

What is EKFI

“Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI) are undergoing considerable change. They need support to enable them to create cross-border networks and platforms to help structure and strengthen the CCI”. A central quote in the Europe 2020 Strategy for growth and jobs of the EC (2017/18). It not only aims to respond to changing skills needs by promoting innovation in education the creation of new businesses, but also mapping the different value chains in the digital age (artistic crafts, publishing, film/TV, multimedia, etc).

Research reveals and describes the need for new/updated competences and skills in the CCI. These skills were found vital requirements, as stated in in the reports: The future on the European Print Industries – In our own hands (Intergraf/UNI Europa 2010); Future skills in the Graphical Industry(2016); Report of the running CIGN project: Identification of skills gaps in cross-media design and production in the creative industries at EU-level; Project Thrive! Report (2018).​

The above justify to investigate innovative approaches for scanning needs for competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes) and matching them with suitable (existing) learning and research material to stimulate innovation. The objective is to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s) on the web based platform.

The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET and HEs, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the CCI. It will operate as a set of ICT-applications (IO’s): a database of existing learning/research material (from various sources) will be created by uploading this material to an platform(O1). The uploading will be supported by the Intake application(O2) where the learning/research material will be described and meet educational standards/formats in order to pass the entrance requirements. The Search robot(O4) makes it possible for the user to map the competence needs and match the needs with learning/research module(s). The download of the material uses the Barter system purchase application(O3). It is a system of exchange where goods are directly exchanged for other goods without using money, as a medium of exchange.

More information

If you want more information? Visit the projectwebsite: https://www.ekfi-project.com/ or call Stivako: 0031 20 5435670 or mail to: info@stivako.nl.

Col-Creation in the spotlight

During the vkgo members' meeting of 11 February at PROBO in Dokkum, the first results of the Erasmus + project Col-Creation were presented to more than 40 participants. The aim of Col-Creation is to teach people inside and outside the company (in the chain) to work together smartly. These days, co-creation of products and services is becoming increasingly important to be able to continue to meet rapidly changing customer needs. The Col-Creation project provides teaching materials for SMEs to become stronger in this.Working together always pays. Simply because with more people you have more different perspectives to tackle a customer's question. The danger of always having to come up with everything yourself often leads to the same types of solutions, while the client's needs keep changing and therefore expects a new approach. Precisely through smart collaboration you make it possible for your company to come up with fresh solutions that will surprise your (potential) customers. And with that you invest in the continuity of your company.
In the Erasmus + project Col-Creation, various specialists work together to develop an innovative training program for employers and employees in SMEs, to train them step by step in creatively meeting new business needs. The Dienstencentrum and Stivako are both involved as a knowledge and training institute. Although the content of the teaching material is of a high level (Human Centered Design Thinking and Business Model Canvas), the developers know how to translate this into practical applicable material in a very practical way. This makes the Co-Creation training in the Creative Industry accessible to everyone. This year the material will be tested within the Netherlands, after which Stivako will include the training in its regular curriculum and provide the Dienstencentrum with customized advice. All this with the aim of making SMEs in our sector more effective for the future.
Have you become curious too? For more information, see this news article (web link). For direct contact please mail to: info@stivako.nl.

Thrive and EKFI at St Lucas VET institute

Stivako is invited at the St Lucas institute to talk about the enterpreneurial education of their institute. We presented an introduction on the Thrive-project. The results of this Erasmus+ project are recently dilivered. The material is also the test material of the EKFI project. Besides the Thrive introduction we introduced also the EKFI project as a future exchange platform for learning material. The participating teachers were enthousiastic about this initiative.

Col Creation project in new phase

Doing business in the creative industry is not easy. Due to rapidly changing customer needs, the demand for creativity from employers and employees is increasing. In addition, entrepreneurs would like to recruit their (potential) customers with self-developed business concepts. But for most entrepreneurs it is hard to develop these new business concepts. The target groups in the Col-Creation project (self-employed and micro SME’s) are commonly not familiar with the concept of co-creation for use in their own company, therefore they miss a potential boost in innovation. Innovation is mandatory for a company to secure their continuity. The ERASMUS project Col-Creation is intended to help SMEs in the Creative sector learn to develop new business concepts. The ultimate goal is to create more business through innovative business operations. Therefore a research has been done in the first phase of the project.

Developing learning material

The Dienstencentrum made a proposal for the training program for the Col-Creation project. The program is discussed in the last meeting in Bulgaria. In that meeting a concept of the learning program is made and the tasks to develop learning material is divided among the partners. The outline of the training program consists out of the following 6 units:

• Introduction of co-creation and the effectiveness of using HCD-Thinking method
• Creating your innovative team
• Finding and defining the real problem (discover and define).
• Finding the right solutions
• Motivation and perseverance
• Implementation and presentation

The goal of the training program is to empower Creative Industry Professionals (CIP’s) in developing their activities and producing their products in a quickly changing environment where they are asked to be more flexible and to deliver additional values to their products, involving new technologies, competences and ways to approach innovation. The learning material is developed and will be discussed in the next meeting.

Third meeting EKFI-project: to create an Exchange platform

Third meeting EKFI-project: to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s). The EKFI-project has organized the third partner meeting in Ghent, Belgium on  the 3rd and 4th of Oktober and an Expert-meeting on the 3rd  of Oktober.  The central issues of the partner meeting were: 

• Presentation of the definite report on the results of the country research,

• Presentation and discussion on the educational and technical aspects of the barter module,

• Presentation of the demo of the EKFI-platform,

• Presentation and discussion on the definite content of the intake module

• Dissemination and impact. 

The university staff of the Artevelde university gave presentations about the Barter system to be developed. The various ideas and experiences were discussed during the expert meeting Barter systems discussed and will be used to develop the Barter system in this project. The aim of the EKFI project is to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s) on the web based platform. The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET and HE institutes, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI).

Second partnermeeting in Athens and the Expert meeting a success!

The EKFI-project has organized a second partner meeting in Athens, Greece on 15th and 17th of May and an Expertmeeting on the 16th.  The central issues of the partner meeting were: 

• The results of the country research,

• The educational and technical aspects of the intake module,

• Aspect to prepare the next meeting on the Bartersystem,

• Technical aspects of the EKFI-platform,

• The ideas on the graphic design of the application and

• The Pyramid of Change, dissemination and impact.

Presentations were given by experts and university staff on the educational system in Greece and the impact on the system to develop, educational and technical aspects of the intake module to develop.
The results of the research in the participating countries were presented and discussed.  The final draft of the first research report will be ready in the coming period.

During the Expert-meeting educational and technical aspects of the EKFI-platform ant its modules were discussed. The comments of the experts were very useful and will lead to adjustments in the planned activities.

Col-Creation, intellectual output & results

Doing business in the creative industry is not easy. Due to rapidly changing customer needs, the demand for creativity from employers and employees is increasing. In addition, entrepreneurs would like to recruit their (potential) customers with self-developed business concepts. But for most entrepreneurs it is hard to develop these new business concepts. The target groups in the Col-Creation project (self-employed and micro SME’s) are commonly not familiar with the concept of co-creation for use in their own company, therefore they miss a potential boost in innovation. Innovation is mandatory for a company to secure their continuity. The ERASMUS project Col-Creation is intended to help SMEs in the Creative sector learn to develop new business concepts. The ultimate goal is to create more business through innovative business operations. Therefore a research has been done in the first phase of the project.

Col creation state of the art research:

A research has been done to collect the necessary information to setup a draft training program specification for the Col-Creation project. The research is conducted in all the participating countries to create alignment on the subjects. The main subjects of the research where: definitions of terms, methods and tools, key competences for CIP’s (Creative Industry Professionals) and existing training materials and platforms.

Proposal draft Training program specification

As a result of the state of the art research in this project Dienstencentrum made a proposal for the training program of Col-Creation. The program is a draft for now and the participating countries have to gather feedback trough a co-creation session in their own country, just like Dienstencentrum and Stivako did with SME’s (VKGO) and international stakeholders from Egin described in the next paragraph. The draft training program consists out of the following 6 units:

1. Introduction of co-creation and the effectiveness of using HCD-Thinking method
2. Creating your innovative team
3. Finding and defining the real problem (discover and define).
4. Finding the right solutions
5. Motivation and perseverance
6. Implementation and presentation

The goal of the training program is to empower Creative Industry Professionals (CIP’s) in developing their activities and producing their products in a quickly changing environment where they are asked to be more flexible and to deliver additional values to their products, involving new technologies, competences and ways to approach innovation. 

Events organized by Dienstencentrum and Stivako:

Dienstencentrum and Stivako organized two sessions. One with SME’s from the VKGO in the Netherlands (the VKGO is a network organization in the Netherlands for SME’s in the creative industry) and one for international stakeholders at the Egin conference, another EU project were the concept training program was presented and discussed to collect feedback. Both of the target groups were very positive about the program and its setup. But there was also some useful feedback to fine tune the training program specification.

Second meeting EKFI-project successful

The EKFI-project has organized a second partner meeting in Athens, Greece on 15th and 17th of May and an Expert-meeting on the 16th of May.  The central issues of the partner meeting were:
  The results of the country research,

•   The educational and technical aspects of the intake module,
•   Aspect to prepare the next meeting on the Bartersystem’
•   Technical aspects of the EKFI-platform,
•   The ideas on the graphic design of the application and
•   The Pyramid of Change, dissemination and impact.

Presentations were given by experts and university staff on the educational system in Greece and the impact on the system to develop, educational and technical aspects of the intake module to develop. The results of the research in the participating countries were presented by the partners and discussed.  The final draft of the first research report will be ready in the coming period.

During the Expert meeting, educational and technical aspects of the EKFI-platform and its modules were discussed. The comments of the experts were very useful and will lead to adjustments in the planned activities. 

The aim of the EKFI project is to create an Exchange platform, to facilitate innovative learning/research material, to map the competence (user) needs and match these with existing learning/research module(s) on the web based platform. The Exchange platform can be applied for the project target groups: VET and HE institutes, SMEs, sector organizations, others in the Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI).

Project Col-Creation presented at Egin conference in Copenhagen

Col-Creation: the new innovative EU-project

Six organizations from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain have submitted a subsidy application under the ERASMUS + program of the EU. This project has been assigned and the Dienstencentrum and Stivako both participate in this international development project, with the following title: Development of a training program for enhancing co-creation and collaboration in the creative industry through sharing economy. In short: COL-CREATION. The project starts on 01-11-2018 and ends 24 months later on 31-10-2020.