"Zest4Edu - A new perspective in education"

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif">The project is addressed to 1150 people from 19 schools from Prahova and Neamț counties (650 students at risk, of which 490 in rural areas and 60 with SEN; 200 parents/ guardians and members of their families; 200 teachers and 100 people from other secondary groups) and aims to increase the transition rate in upper secondary education (ISCED 3) by 1% per year in the supported schools, and to improve the school participation of at least 40% of students in the main target group with 10%. By providing personal development, non-formal education and socialization activities, students will complete their 3 fundamental skills&nbsp;(literary, numerical, scientific) with all the other 13 fundamental skills (deemed as fundamental by the World Economic Forum 2015). Additionally, through 3 training programs and Affirmative Art workshops, teachers will acquire new skills in order to: improve communication with students; the relationship with the students’ parents; resolve the conflict situations between students; work with students with SEN; increase the interest of students’ in classes. In addition, a space for personal development activities and a cabinet space for individual counseling will be set-up in each of the 19 schools for the students and teachers from the TG. In the long term, the aim is to change the perspective in the educational field, by introducing personal development programs for children and students from an early age, with a medium-term impact in increasing the number of young people completing lower secondary education and continuing their studies. In the long run project aims at&nbsp;decreasing the number of people at risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion as a result of a quality personal and professional education.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The Art for Change Foundation from Norway contributed to the implementation of the project by introducing the Affirmative Art method. This method, developed in 2012, helps individuals identify and illustrate their dreams and aspirations through color-based games, words, and illustrations. Art for Change was involved in defining the project’s methodologies and conducting complementary activities and workshops alongside personal development sessions. As part of this, AfC organized WAAA (Wake up, Affirm, Align, Act) workshops in all the schools participating in the project.

Project partners

• Stiftelsen Art for Change Donor project partner· Norway
• Neamt County School Inspectorate Project partner· Romania
• Go Ahead Association Project partner· Romania