Project Launch, Objectives, Partnership and Early Activities
1. Introduction
The Erasmus+ project UPRISE – Unity in Diversity: Promoting Religious Inclusivity in Greek Muslim Education has officially launched its activities to support more inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive education. The project focuses on the educational context of Thrace, Greece, where a significant Muslim minority is enrolled in state schools, and where religious inclusion remains an important educational and social priority.
UPRISE is funded under Erasmus+ KA220-SCH – Cooperation Partnerships in School Education. The project runs for 24 months, from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026, with a total EU grant of EUR 250,000. It is coordinated by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
2. Partnership and Approach
UPRISE responds to the need for stronger religious inclusion in schools attended by Muslim pupils in Thrace. Limited or inconsistent access to religious education adapted to pupils’ needs may affect participation, recognition and belonging within the school community. The project therefore addresses religious inclusion not only as a curriculum issue, but also as a matter of equal educational participation, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.
The project combines empirical research, pedagogical development and digital innovation. Its activities begin with qualitative research involving educational stakeholders, continue with a broader quantitative study, and lead to the development of pedagogical resources and a digital Learning Management System. Management and dissemination activities support the quality, visibility and long-term sustainability of the project.
The UPRISE partnership brings together four universities with complementary expertise:
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece — project coordinator, leading project management and the development of pedagogical resources and the Learning Management System
- Democritus University of Thrace, Greece — providing local expertise and leading the quantitative research phase
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria — leading communication and dissemination
- Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania — leading the qualitative research and contributing expertise in research methodology, inclusion and data analysis
The consortium operates through a shared governance structure including the General Assembly, the Steering Committee, the project coordinator, work package leaders and task leaders. This structure supports joint decision-making, monitoring and effective cooperation among partners.
3. Key Activities and Achievements
The formal project period began in September 2024, while practical implementation intensified after the completion of contractual and institutional procedures in autumn 2024. The project’s Kick-off Meeting was held in January 2025, establishing roles, responsibilities, reporting mechanisms, quality procedures and internal communication arrangements.
During the first implementation period, the consortium created a strong management framework. Regular online meetings, internal reporting procedures, meeting minutes, quality benchmarks and a risk register were established. The Management and Quality Assurance Report was completed, providing a common framework for monitoring progress, reviewing deliverables and addressing potential risks.
One of the most important early achievements was the completion of the qualitative research phase under Work Package 2, led by Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava. Interviews and focus groups were carried out with teachers, school principals, religious education teachers and other relevant educational stakeholders in Thrace.
The research explored experiences of religious diversity, existing school practices, barriers to participation and culturally sensitive approaches to teaching. The qualitative deliverables were completed and submitted according to the revised schedule. These findings now provide the empirical basis for the quantitative research phase and for the future development of pedagogical materials.
The consortium also began preparing the quantitative survey, which will examine teacher attitudes, pupil experiences, school practices and institutional approaches to religious inclusion across a wider sample.
Progress was also made in planning the Learning Management System. The partners began defining the platform structure, user groups and potential pedagogical modules. Although access to some public records and statistical datasets has been delayed, the consortium has continued working with available information and has introduced corrective measures to protect the overall project timeline.
Communication and dissemination activities have also advanced. Sofia University coordinated the development of the Dissemination and Communication Plan, the project identity, communication templates and social media presence. The official project website, Facebook page and LinkedIn account have been established to share news, outputs and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
4. Next Steps
The next phase of UPRISE will focus on the implementation and analysis of the quantitative survey. The data collected will help validate the themes identified during the qualitative research and provide a broader picture of religious inclusion in the schools of Thrace.
At the same time, the consortium will continue developing the Learning Management System and preparing research-based pedagogical materials for educators. Further work will focus on integrating research findings into practical resources that can support inclusive teaching, professional development and intercultural dialogue.
Dissemination will also be intensified through newsletters, social media campaigns, academic publications and regional events in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. These activities will engage teachers, researchers, school communities and policy stakeholders and will support the long-term visibility and impact of the project.
5. Project Website and Social Media
Website: https://uprise.he.duth.gr/en/home-page/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572599726190
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/erasmus-project-uprise/posts/?feedView=all