Three projects from Romania are on the list of winners of the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 released on Monday, September 15, by the European Commission (EC). A total of 117 teachers and schools from over 30 countries in the European Union (EU) and outside it received awards for their projects supported by the Erasmus+ programme, according to the EC Representation in Romania.
The European Innovative Teaching Award aims to value the work of teachers and educators in the process of shaping the Europeans of tomorrow by making use of innovative, interactive, and inclusive teaching and learning practices.
‘Teachers are the backbone of our societies. Not only does it provide children and young people with the knowledge they need for their future careers, but more importantly, it prepares them for adult life by equipping them with basic skills, including civic sense and civic knowledge,’ according to the Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu.
Romania’s three winning projects are: ‘Green skills, gamification and cross-cultural communication for improved heritage projects,’ carried out between November 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 under the coordination of the Harghita County Cultural Centre in Miercurea Ciuc; ‘Be Smart, Be Green!’ conducted between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2024 and coordinated by the Vasile Conta Secondary School of Iasi; ‘Rangers Of Change’, conducted between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2024 and coordinated by the Gymnasium School no. 195 in Bucharest.
The project ‘Green skills, gamification and cross-cultural communication for improved heritage projects’ supported heritage workers, cultural actors, and community developers in rural areas by offering training and mentoring in sustainability, inclusion, digitalisation, innovation, and international collaboration, supported by two practical guides developed within the partnership. It empowered rural cultural centres to design inclusive, future-oriented projects that showcase local natural and cultural heritage.
‘Be Smart, Be Green!’ has helped promote environmental education and civic responsibility among students. Through creative and hands-on activities, it empowered young learners with practical green skills and inspired them to become active citizens in the fight against climate change. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum and encouraging student-led initiatives, the project showcased innovative teaching approaches that fostered critical thinking, collaboration, and long-term impact.
‘Rangers of Change’ creatively integrated language learning with climate education, supporting refugee integration and teacher development. The project promoted multilingualism, inclusion, and responsible citizenship. Using inclusive pedagogical approaches, coordinators drew on the cultural and social identities of migrant and refugee students as assets in education and training for climate action. Participants practised English and learned vocabulary in Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Lithuanian, and even Ukrainian.
The winning projects will be presented on several platforms: the European Innovative Teaching Award website, the Erasmus+ social media channels, the European Education Area portal and the European Platform for School Education.
