We are proud to announce that the SPACE – Seniors Perceive A Common Europe project has received the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025.

The award is a well-deserved recognition of the joint efforts of the entire partnership: Vhs Cham, Germany, as project coordinator; INFODEF, Spain; Elderberry AB, Sweden; EduVita, Italy; and the Business Foundation for Education, Bulgaria.

SPACE – Seniors Perceive A Common Europe is an Erasmus+ project addressing the challenges of active ageing, European values, and sustainable development.

SPACE supports people aged 60 and over in discovering European values and identity through cultural heritage, shared traditions, and intercultural exchange. The project provided opportunities to develop essential life skills through non-formal learning, ranging from digital activities to practical workshops such as preparing traditional recipes and exploring local crafts. The international initiative encouraged older adults not only to reconnect with their own traditions but also to share them with peers from across Europe.

Over a period of three years, the SPACE project developed a wide range of open educational resources:

• A handbook for adult educators, including a training framework, good practices, and practical teaching guidelines;
• An empowerment course for older adults, offering practical resources for developing skills related to health, nutrition, sustainability, household management, and responsible consumption;
• A virtual gallery featuring more than 100 digital exhibits, including articles and presentations, created together with senior learners;
• Inspiring digital trails showcasing the cultural heritage of different countries;
• International mobilities that enabled older participants to exchange experiences and learn together with peers from different European countries.

During the international exchanges, participants discussed the similarities and differences between their traditions and ways of life. The most important outcome, however, was the creation of personal connections between people from different parts of Europe. In this way, the senior participants not only acquired new skills and greater self-confidence but also strengthened their sense of connection with and enthusiasm for the European idea.

All project products and results are available in English, German, Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish on the project website: thespaceproject.eu.

Since 2021, the European Innovative Teaching Award has been presented annually to recognise outstanding teaching practices developed within European projects under the Erasmus+ programme. The 2025 edition focused on strengthening democracy and promoting active civic participation.

In 2025, Seniors Perceive A Common Europe (SPACE) received this prestigious award in adult education. In its justification for the award, the German National Agency NA BIBB emphasised that the SPACE project had implemented the annual priority particularly successfully: “Citizenship education – participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement.”

The European Innovative Teaching Award ceremony took place in Brussels on 9 December 2025. The award was presented to the project coordinator, Volkshochschule im Landkreis Cham e.V., by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Roxana Mînzatu.

Project manager Johanna Jankowski was also selected to participate in a panel discussion, during which she presented the SPACE project and its results. Her contribution can be viewed between minutes 40 and 48 of the recording.

This recognition highlights the importance of inclusive learning, international exchange, and the contribution of older people to building a more cohesive and sustainable Europe.

We are extremely proud of this award and dedicate it to our inspiring senior learners, who participated in the project activities with dedication, commitment, and genuine enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

For the Business Foundation for Education, participating in a project such as SPACE means contributing to the development of a closer, more inclusive, and more democratic Europe. This award recognises not only innovative teaching practices but also the transformative power of lifelong learning to change people’s lives, build communities, and encourage active civic participation.

Project No: 2022-1-DE02-KA220-ADU-000088807

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.