Impact Academy offers training for socially responsible entrepreneurs, providing them with the strategic skills needed to spark positive change

The centerpiece of the project is the establishment of an Impact Economy program, which aims to integrate theory with practice, providing students with a solid understanding of economic and social dynamics. Through a curriculum that embraces advanced research and innovative methods, students are challenged to develop entrepreneurial solutions that are not only economically viable but also contribute to the well-being of society. . With a holistic approach to entrepreneurial education, Impact Academy is dedicated to cultivating leaders capable of leading the world toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

SMARTER LESS STRESS

The project aims to achieve two specific objectives:

  • To promote an understanding of limitation understood as a barrier against frequent interference between work and private life, emphasizing instead the positive characteristics of “smart” work.
  • To foster greater empowerment of the employee, who has the right-duty to organize his or her time and to see work schedules respected.

This translates into action to promote corporate welfare and a new smartworking culture, where awareness of limits and individual responsibility play a key role.

The project aims to create a vademecum for companies and workers to increase the well-being of smartworking workers by fostering a happier approach to work.

The ALL-IN: Advancing Language Learning for Inclusive Narratives project, funded under Key Action 2 (KA2) of the Erasmus plus program, aims to create an environment that facilitates learning, sharing and adoption of inclusive communication practices. To achieve this goal, we are committed to:

  • Design inclusive learning materials: We will develop learning materials that promote inclusive language and communication, taking into account the diverse needs of students.
  • Provide access to the OER platform: The OER platform will provide a wide range of inclusive resources, accessible to all.
  • Actively disseminate resources: We will promote the use of inclusive resources through awareness campaigns and training.

The REVIVE 5.0 project aims to examine and explore the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) as a primary resource in the field of human resource management, with a focus on the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Industry 5.0. Industry 5.0 represents a crucial evolutionary phase characterized by the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the industrial environment.

The project aims to develop an innovative training program that aims to provide human resource managers in SMEs with the skills and abilities needed to successfully address their employees’ transition to Industry 5.0. This program will not only focus on the technical skills required for the adoption and integration of new technologies, but will place significant emphasis on the development of skills related to emotional intelligence.

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Emotional intelligence, encompassing self-awareness, emotion management, empathy, and social skills, plays a crucial role in managing change and optimizing interpersonal relationships in complex work contexts such as Industry 5.0. Equipping human resource managers with these skills will enable them to effectively manage the transition of the workforce through technological and organizational transitions, while maintaining a positive work climate conducive to productivity and innovation

The INNO4CHANGE (Empowering innovation and entrepreneurship skills on social entrepreneurs) project, funded under Key Action 2 (KA2) of the Erasmus plus programme, aims to promote training dedicated to future entrepreneurs and social innovators.

The project aims to:

  1. Orient young “aspiring entrepreneurs” towards a model that helps them create business proposals that generate social impact;
  2. Contribute to improving the training offer of VET providers by including or integrating their curricula on Social Economy.
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Specifically, the project includes the following activities:

  1. Interviews with social entrepreneurs: in fact, their experience can be a source of inspiration for young people, showing that it is possible to make a difference with one’s talent, creativity and determination. The interviews will be edited and uploaded to the project platform;
  2. Creation and development of training curricula covering 3 areas: essential elements of the social economy, innovation and business development. The training course materials will also be published on the platform and displayed by topic in the form of a digital booklet. Furthermore, all partners will be responsible for creating interactive exercises (dialogues, flashcards, quizzes).

Everything will be uploaded to the project’s online platform which will make the materials easily accessible, thus promoting the growth of an entrepreneurship oriented towards innovation and social change.

Dream Act Lead

The D.A.L. project aims to encourage collaboration between municipal administrations and young people in order to promote the development of cities oriented towards ecology and sustainability. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to join the efforts of local institutions and young citizens, seen as Europe’s future leaders, in joint action to “dream, act and lead”.

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In detail, the project involves conducting interviews among young people to gain an in-depth understanding of their needs. Furthermore, it aims to develop an online learning platform along with training modules aimed at boosting young people’s skills in the field of Smart Cities. The project is promoted under Key Action 2 of the Erasmus Plus program and is funded by the French national youth agency.

The CLIC project: Climate and Citizenship. Digital and participation paths for the new generations for climate’s protection, in collaboration with the NGO Albero della Vita, aims to activate paths of active citizenship and Civic Monitoring on national and international actions against climate change for secondary school students. The objective of the project is to contribute to the development and strengthening of a concept of “citizenship”, considered as belonging to the global community, contributing in a pragmatic way to individual and collective change for the creation of a more sustainable and fair world.

The project aims to facilitate the transition process to a circular economy with reduced waste generation, mobilizing the unexplored energies of the communities.
Specifically, the project promotes “zero-waste” culture and practices (prevention, reduction, reuse/repair, recycling, composting) in the community,
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through an educational action structured in synergy with the municipality of Lecce, schools, associations, and with the help of trained “eco-volunteers” who will take care of providing eco-consultations  to citizens, and small businesses (bars, cafes , delicatessens etc) which are often “hotspots” for the production of disposable packaging.

The Data Science in Human & Social Science for Women Empowerment project supports the development of data science skills within the humanities (field of study with a strong female majority) by promoting the development of advanced digital skills.

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Although scientific faculties have reached 35% of girls enrolled, the profession of data scientist, among the most requested by companies, is still a choice for few.

Indeed, studies show that the sector is highly segregated from the point of view of gender, characterized by a prevalence of male employees.

Project objectives:

  • Develop and encourage STEM education among women;
  • Increase data science skills among women;
  • Introducing data science curricula in European universities in social and female-majority fields of study

The MORE project (“Multifunctional role of women as a key driver for rural development”) aims to facilitate access and improve the quality of training and qualification opportunities for European women living in rural areas.

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The reality of life for women living in rural areas has become very diverse in recent decades. In today’s society, women assume a “multifunctional role” in the multifaceted family context (care of children and the elderly) and in social and work relationships. The multiplicity of roles assumed by women contributes significantly to the improvement of the quality of life of their families, to the socio-economic development of rural areas, to civic participation, and to the innovation of the territorial context.

The OFF-LINE project: how to get out of Social Media intends to:

– contribute to making the digital world a place that promotes culture, correct information and critical, constructive and dialogue thinking;

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– reduce the time spent on social media by promoting more correct navigation;

– Develop among adults an aptitude and a culture of correct information through, for example, digital newspapers or magazines or other accredited sources.

The Financial Literacy for Inclusion project intends to involve adults in financial education courses.

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According to the OECD, financial education is a “process of improving the understanding of financial concepts and instruments”. The main purpose is to understand opportunities and risks in terms of financial management and investments, so that citizens can make informed and aware choices to protect themselves from risks.

The Sustainable Living project aims to raise awareness of sustainable living, particularly of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

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Through our activities we seek not only to equip citizens with comprehensive knowledge about sustainability, but more importantly to empower them to take action in their local community and beyond, becoming change-makers at the national/European level as well.

The objective of the Young Entrepreneurs in Time of Crisis project is to provide valid tools that can be useful for the creation of new businesses led by young people.

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It is necessary to encourage the new generations to put their creativity and energy into the engine of change.

The project is aimed at young people interested in embarking on their own journey and accepting the challenge-opportunity of the pandemic crisis.

It is necessary to encourage the new generations to put their creativity and energy into the engine of change.

The project is aimed at young people interested in embarking on their own journey and accepting the challenge-opportunity of the pandemic crisis.

The Learn to Discern project intends to educate young people and offer tools to Youth workers

Media literacy is an expression that came into use with the technological development of mass media

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and refers to the formation of the ability to use the means of mass communication appropriately. Therefore, it should not be confused with education with the media, generally referred to by the expression “technological teaching” or “educational technologies”, where the means of communication are simply considered in an instrumental perspective.

“Civic Monitoring for the Future of Europe” is a project co-financed by the European Commission, developed and promoted by various European organizations in six EU countries: Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Poland and Portugal…

The idea behind REACT is to develop Open Educational Resources or training content and modules available for:

  • UNDEREMPLOYED: people not in full employment
  • TEMPORARILY UNEMPLOYED: people who are made redundant but are actively looking for work.

A collaborative work, co-financed by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus+ program and which has seen universities, companies and associations from various European countries work together. The result is a complete training course, through ten micro-courses and addressed to those who want to do business by promoting that great social, cultural and economic resource represented by the ancient Roman roads.

“EntreComp” is intended to initiate conversations and enhance understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur in all aspects of life, establishes the importance of entrepreneurship and initiative, and helps develop entrepreneurial skills to address economic, social and cultural challenges.

The objective of the Project is to test innovative actions aimed at developing critical thinking on social communication, increasing users’ awareness of the truthfulness of online information and, at the same time, promoting a more responsible use of the Internet, thus contributing to making the Web a better place for everyone, making the most of its opportunities.

At a time when the innovation and job market seems increasingly hostile to young people, a concrete and effective response could come from those technical-scientific disciplines that are grouped under the acronym STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The new project entitled “Sharing good practices for Social Innovation“. The Salento non-profit association Demostene Centro Studi, in partnership with other European organizations, will develop a Catalog of Best Practices on Social Innovation (SI) which will serve as a guide for aspiring young innovators.

The “Restorative Circles for Citizens in Europe” is a unique, innovative and collaborative project which aims to create a real dialogue between EU citizens with different views on the topic of Euroscepticism, directly linked to specific EU measures.

The project We the young people of Europe is a project promoted by our study centre and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Salento, financed within the framework of the key action 3 of the Erasmus plus programme dedicated to structured dialogue. The project aimed to foster interaction between young people and youth policy makers. In order to achieve this, a European Parliament simulation was realised with the participation of 70 young people from the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Greece and Italy. The event took place at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Salento. The young people worked in thematic groups and drafted four parliamentary recommendations.