The County Library “Alexandru and Aristia Aman”, as a Partner, participated in the official launch event of the project “Cross-border Cooperation for Ensuring an Attractive Educational Environment”, implemented under the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria 2021–2027 Programme, Priority 3 – An Educated Region, Specific Objective 4.2.
The opening event took place at the headquarters of the Project Leader – “Hristo Smirnenski” Gymnasium School Gulyantsi (Bulgaria), in the presence of representatives of the partner institutions from Romania: the County Library Alexandru and Aristia Aman and the National College Frații Buzești.
A joint effort to modernize education in the cross-border area
The project aims to improve equal access to quality education and training services by creating a modern, attractive, and inclusive educational environment tailored to the needs of children and young people in the cross-border region.
The initiative addresses common problems in both regions, where young people massively use technology for entertainment but less so for education, personal development, or career guidance.
The partners emphasized the importance of introducing innovative educational approaches, modern motivational methods, and the use of digital technologies to increase school motivation, interest in learning, and the overall level of student competencies, including young people from vulnerable groups.
The major objectives of the project focus on:
- improving the quality of educational and training services in the three partner institutions;
- increasing the motivation of students and teachers to use modern teaching and learning methods;
- developing students’ digital, social, and personal competencies;
- facilitating a sustainable exchange of best practices between Romania and Bulgaria.
The main components of the project are: Development of training materials and equipping educational spaces, as well as Creating a common learning network and conducting extracurricular activities.
Within the project, joint thematic clubs will be established, which will also include students from vulnerable groups or with disabilities: “Nature-Loving Youth” Club; “Information Technology” Club; “Europe – Traditions and Holidays” Club; “Express Yourself Artistically” Club; “Sports and Health” Club.
For the smooth running of project activities, the County Library Alexandru and Aristia Aman will purchase modern equipment: laptops, ozobots, VR devices, 3D printer, Smart TV, outdoor multimedia systems, educational software, specialized furniture, and IT equipment.
During the meeting, the technical details, the activity schedule, the roles of the partner institutions in the project, and the common procedures necessary for efficient cooperation were established.
Representatives of Romanian institutions, the County Library Alexandru and Aristia Aman and the National College Frații Buzești, emphasized the importance of modernizing education through digital technologies and non-formal activities, highlighting the role of the library as an educational hub and the school as a promoter of new forms of learning.
Expected impact of the project:
- increasing student participation in innovative educational activities;
- developing digital, social, and creative competencies;
- improving the motivation of students and teachers;
- increased access to education for young people from vulnerable groups;
- developing sustainable cooperation between the three partner institutions;
- investments in modern educational infrastructure in Romania and Bulgaria.
The project directly contributes to the Interreg VI-A programme indicators through the training of teachers and students, cross-border cooperation between organizations, and investments in educational infrastructure.
The project will run for a period of 18 months, 12.09.2025 – 11.03.2027. The total financial support granted for funding the project implementation amounts to 550,356.72 euros, including 440,285.38 euros ERDF, 99,064.21 – national budget 18%, and 11,007.13 euros – own contribution 2%, the budget of the County Library “Alexandru and Aristia Aman”, Partner 3, being 160,215.52 euros.
“We are pleased to be part of a project that places modern education and inclusion at the center of community development. By cooperating with our partners from Bulgaria and Romania, we aim to offer students and teachers new learning opportunities, access to modern technologies, and an educational environment that inspires. The County Library ‘Alexandru and Aristia Aman’ remains firmly committed to supporting innovation and building educational services tailored to the current needs of young people.” Radu Alexandru Vințeanu— Manager of the County Library “Alexandru and Aristia Aman”.