Embedding Circular Economy Thinking in European HEIs through AI and Gamification
EcoLoop is a pioneering initiative designed to foster green entrepreneurship within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). By merging Circular Economy (CE) principles with cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and gamification, the project empowers students and educators to drive the transition toward a resource-efficient, climate-neutral Europe.
The project addresses the current lack of practical frameworks for integrating circular thinking into university curricula, providing students with the personalized tools and engaging content necessary to thrive in the modern green labor market.
What We’re Building
Competence Framework for Green Entrepreneurship (WP2): A foundational educational model that defines the essential skills and qualifications required for success in the circular economy, grounded in the EntreComp framework.
AI-Based Gamified Readiness Evaluator (WP3): An innovative assessment tool that uses AI algorithms to provide students with personalized feedback and recommendations, helping them identify their entrepreneurial strengths and skill gaps.
Gamified E-Learning Platform (WP4): An interactive online platform featuring six specialized modules—ranging from Green Finance to Green Business Development—designed to boost student engagement through points, badges, and leaderboards.
AI Chatbot Companion: A closed-model digital assistant integrated into the evaluator to guide users, ask relevant questions, and provide real-time support throughout their learning journey.
Project Facts
📅 Duration: 1 December 2024 – 30 November 2027 (36 Months).
💶 Total Budget: 400,000.00 €.
🎓 Program: Erasmus+ (KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education).
Project Partners
The EcoLoop consortium brings together expertise from academic, technical, and environmental sectors across three European countries:
Association Nouvelle EDC (France) – Project coordinator and lead on entrepreneurship education and content methodology
New-Gen Language Teachers addresses the urgent need to equip pre-service and in-service language teachers with the competencies required to navigate the rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence. At its core is a multilingual digital ecosystem designed to foster digital resilience and responsible AI integration, ensuring that educators can harness the potential of AI while mitigating risks such as algorithmic bias and data privacy concerns.
The project provides an innovative learning solution aimed at pre-service language teachers, educators, and higher education institutions seeking structured, ethically grounded approaches to technology in the classroom.
What We’re Building
Structured Curriculum Module: A 20-hour academic module designed for BA/MA teacher education programs, focusing on key AI concepts, practical applications, and ethical considerations in language pedagogy.
AI-Powered Gamified Toolkit: An interactive digital resource featuring scenario-based challenges, simulations, and micro-learning tasks to build AI literacy in a risk-free, engaging environment.
Open-Access MOOC: A scalable, self-paced Massive Open Online Course providing structured training on AI-enhanced language teaching strategies for educators across Europe and beyond.
Adaptation Guide for Institutions: A comprehensive roadmap to support the long-term integration of the module and digital tools into existing university curricula.
Pilot Testing & Expert Review: Real-world testing with over 200 pre-service teachers and experts across Latvia, Türkiye, and Spain to ensure pedagogical quality and usability.
Healthcare Employee AI and VR-Assisted Resilience Training for Burnout Prevention
HEART – Healthcare Employee AI and VR-Assisted Resilience Training – supports care professionals in elderly and long-term care to recognize and manage stress and burnout early on. At its core is a digital training program that combines Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen mindfulness, resilience, and self-care in an engaging and effective way.
The immersive learning solution is aimed at care workers, VET learners in healthcare, and educational institutions seeking new, practical approaches to mental well-being in care professions.
What We’re Building
VR-Based Training: An interactive learning platform featuring guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and stress management scenarios in realistic virtual environments.
AI-Powered Avatar: A digital companion that guides users through the training, offers encouragement, and supports implementation in daily routines.
Educational Framework: A didactic concept for integrating XR technologies into vocational education and health promotion programs.
Pilot Testing: Real-world testing with care workers and learners in Austria and Germany, providing valuable feedback for refinement.
We empower Vocational Education and Training (VET) with AI-driven Product-to-Service competencies for a sustainable future.
EcoInnovate AI+ is an Erasmus+ project aimed at modernizing vocational education and training (VET) by integrating AI-powered Product-to-Service (P2S) systems. The goal is to equip learners with the skills they need for a sustainable, tech-driven future—including environmental awareness and entrepreneurial thinking.
Key Focus Areas:
Sustainability: Promoting reuse, repair, and recycling in line with circular economy principles.
Competitiveness: Innovative companies need skilled professionals with green and digital expertise.
Skills Development: Learners gain hands-on experience with digital tools, AI, and service-based business models.
Entrepreneurial Thinking: Creativity, innovation, and systems thinking are actively encouraged.
How It Works:
Learners work with interactive EduBots—AI-powered learning assistants—to explore real-world P2S strategies, build problem-solving skills, and develop competencies for the future job market.
The Guiding Symbols project aims to support career counselors in adult education by providing innovative methods for working with individuals facing complex life situations. Through the use of symbol-based tools, personal resources, competencies, and goals can be visualized and structured. The methodology is particularly suitable for adults with limited formal education, language barriers, or lack of access to conventional career guidance services.
Results:
Training for Career Counselors: Development and delivery of a practice-oriented training program for the application of symbol work in counseling settings.
Method Adaptation: Cultural and contextual adaptation of established symbol-based methods from Austria to the French context.
Digital Resources: Creation of digital training materials and tools to support long-term use in career guidance.
Pilot Implementation with Target Groups: Practical testing of the methods with real clients to evaluate usability and effectiveness.
Sustainable Implementation: Establishment of multiplier structures and open access to materials to ensure long-term availability and integration into professional practice.
Duration:
Start date: 1 November 2023 End date: 30 April 2025
Project Partners:
SAS Hormé (France) – Project coordination and method piloting
Digital entrepreneurship for youth – Cooperation Partnerships in Youth
DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING MODULES: Successfully created six modules focused on entrepreneurship and digital skills, including:
Core Entrepreneurship Competencies
Digital Entrepreneurship Competencies
Market Awareness and Business Strategies
Transversal Skills
Crowdfunding and Sustainability
Practical Applications and Expert Interviews
The LTTA (Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity) in Ankarawas one of the most important events in the field of educationwithin the project. This meeting, which took place between 7 – 9February 2024, was attended by practitioners from eachcountry and enabled testing of the training curricula developed in the project.
MAIN TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING MODULE 1: CORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETENCIES The core competencies required for entrepreneurship andbusiness model creation and planning with Business ModelCanvas (BMC) were discussed.
MODULE 2: DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETENCIES The importance of digital technologies in entrepreneurship wasemphasized, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital marketing strategies were discussed.
MODULE 3: MARKET AWARENESS AND BUSINESS AWARENESS Entrepreneurs’ skills in market analysis, customer needs and business strategies to assess market opportunities were developed.
MODULE 4: TRANSVERSAL SKILLS With skills such as effective communication, leadership and problem solving, entrepreneurs were aimed to be successful in the business world.
MODULE 5: CROWDFUNDING AND SUSTAINABILITY Crowdfunding and social responsibility themes were covered, focusing on ensuring financial sustainability.
MODULE 6: PRACTICAL APPLICATION AND EXPERT INTERVIEW Theoretical knowledge was put into practice and case studies helped entrepreneurs apply what they learned in the business world.
Inter-Partner Meeting in Greece (15 – 16 April 2024)
During this meeting in Athens, the project partners evaluated the pilot implementation methodology developed under WP4. This meeting was an important step towards the implementation of the digital entrepreneurship trainings for the project’s target group of young people.
MAIN TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING PILOT IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY The pilots will be conducted by 15 trainers in each country. Practitioners will train young entrepreneurs and evaluate the effectiveness of the training modules with the data they collect during this process. Each trainer will work with two young participants and present a case study at the end of the training.
ADAPTATION OF THE TRAINING CURRICULUM The partners continued to work on adapting the training curriculum to the language and culture of each country. The training materials, which will be available in Turkish, Greek and German, have been reorganized to reach young entrepreneurs more effectively.
DIGITAL SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The importance of artificial intelligence, big data analytics and digital marketing strategies in digital entrepreneurship was discussed. It was decided to include these skills in education programs so that young people can use digital technologies effectively.
Based on chatbot technologies, the CareerBOT provides easy access and user-friendly support for jobseekers finding job openings, requirements on skills, how to prepare for Job applications and information on future job and professional trends.
Blended CareerBOT Training
Blended CareerBOT Training to successfully use the CareerBOT in job counselling and further improve the digital skills of professional counsellors, the project includes a blended learning course to increase digital competences, literacy, and techniques on how to integrate the CareerBOT.
Introduction
As career guidance practitioners, it is essential to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in the field. In this newsletter, as a final summary of the CareerBOT tool and training methodology, validated by national training outcomes in Ireland, Austria, Spain and Greece, we explore the CareerBOT tool and how it can be leveraged to support individuals in making informed decisions about their careers, and help guidance practitioners save time so they can dedicate their efforts towards the meaningful interpersonal career development of their clients. The CareerBot tool training and methodology is designed to support practitioners in understanding how to use chatbot-based AI tools in the guidance process. The CareerBot training for practitioners offers context and resources on the evolving digital trends in employment as well as experiential-based learning strategies on how to effectively empower marginalised jobseeker to use digital tools to enhance their job searching strategies. The CareerBot website is an openly accessible educational resource that presents our practitioner training offering in a structured and digestible way with direct access to the tool and Tutorial video material.
Key Features of the BOT
Users can enter 7 different conversation flows depending on the information they are looking for, and has available information and language translations for Ireland, Spain, Austria, Germany and Greece.
Demand for Jobs and Skills
Info on Jobs and Skills
Jobfinder
CV Writing
Cover Letter Writing
Interview
Contact Points
Additional Resources
The CareerBOT tool has a wide range of video tutorials to offer general tips on creating a CV, drafting a Cover Letter, and preparing for an interview. The CareerBOT partnership has a dedicated YouTube channel with developed guide material available in English, German, Spanish and Greek.
User Journeys
CareerBOT User journeys demonstrate how clients can use the tool to create a CV and prepare for job applications.
Showing:
How CareerBot can support jobseekers in completing tasks independently, freeing up faceto-face time for more important reflections.
The potential of the CareerBot tool and integrated into a guidance process.
How to Effectively Introduce the Bot to Clients
To maximise the benefits of the CareerBot tool, practitioners should familiarise themselves with each aspect of the Bot and plan how they can integrate it into their guidance sessions and follow-up activities. By leveraging the CareerBot’s capabilities, practitioners can streamline tasks and focus on more complex issues that require human interaction.
For example:
Before using the CareerBot tool, practitioners can make a list of tasks that can be supported by the CareerBot and evaluate how they can start using the CareerBot with their clients to trial the completion of those tasks and see how the counselling process improves.
Provide clients with concrete tasks to complete after the session, such as creating a CV, this can help save time during counselling sessions and allow for more in-depth discussions on interests, motivations, and job search strategies.
Ensure a sustainable use of the CareerBot, by reflecting on how familiar clients are with the tool’s features and how autonomous they have become in using it. This requires concrete feedback from clients committed to using the CareerBot for job search, education and training opportunities, CV and interview preparation, and further research on labour market trends.
Key Considerations for Practitioners
When introducing the CareerBot tool to clients, practitioners should:
Assess individual needs and indicate the resources and services which might best meet them.
Be available for brief interventions to help them review what they have learned from these resources and services.
Be available for longer interviews for those who need them.
COMING SOON
Transfer Handbook for Organisational Development
All change happens on multiple levels. Through a transfer handbook, the project further informs organisations and institutions about how to improve job counselling as well as how to integrate the CareerBOT into their daily practices to increase successful job orientation.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Volunteers in Preventing Elderly and Chronical Illness Loneliness
The VOL-PECIL project (VOLunteers in Preventing Elderly and Chronic Illness Loneliness) aims to empower volunteers and staff members in their efforts to alleviate loneliness among elderly and chronically ill individuals. By providing specialized training, resources, and digital tools, the project seeks to enhance the quality of care and support offered to these vulnerable groups.
Results
Specialized Training Program: Development of a 16-hour blended learning curriculum tailored for volunteers.
Digital Educational Resources: Creation and deployment of user-friendly digital tools to support volunteers.
Pilot Training Sessions: Conduct pilot sessions to refine training materials based on feedback.
Enhanced Communication and Support: Address communication challenges and provide comprehensive self-help guides.
Sustainable Implementation: Ensure long-term availability and accessibility of training materials and resources.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
The pilot phase of the Flows project has been completed!
As the FLOWS project draws to a close, we are pleased to announce the successful completion of another important milestone: FLOWS piloting has been completed in all project partner countries, including Austria, Ireland, Türkiye and Romania. In line with the common approach of the partners,the training was conducted by facilitators who had previously been trained during the LTTA in St. Pölten, Austria in February 2024. Their previous training provided them with the skills and knowledge to deliver the FLOWS blended learning programme and guide the practitioners through the pilot phase.
After the training, each practitioner received personalised login details forthe FLOWS platform, including a unique username and password, along with a guide that provided clear instructions on how to manage client accounts during the pilot. At the end of the training, practitioners also completed the learning diary, provided valuable feedback on the training process and received official training certificates following the expert talk session. At the end of the piloting process, each project partner produced a national report detailing their individual piloting experiences and outcomes. These reports provide insights into the effectiveness of the FLOWS tool and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the success of the pilots across all project partner countries. Let’s take a look at how the Flows Tool was piloted in the project partner countries
IN AUSTRIA The pilot training in Austria, organised by Hafelekar, took place on 14, 21 and 24 July. The training was designed to introduce 6 additional practitioners from 2 organisations to the FLOWS blended learning training programme and the FLOWS tool.
Two practitioners from Hafelekar, who had already been trained during the LTTA in Austria, took on the role of facilitators and the additional practitioners included 3 vocational counsellors from TSD – Tiroler Soziale Dienste. The FLOWS tool proved to be particularly beneficial for clients as it does not rely heavily on text and effectively uses videos to demonstrate everyday activities.The other 3 practitioners were from Rotes Kreuz Tirol, who incorporated the FLOWS training and FLOWS tool into their internal training programme. These 8 practitioners have tested the FLOWS tool with a total of 21 young people .
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE FLOWS PROJECT?
The next step of the FLOWS project involves developing the content for psychometric evaluation and hosting Multiplier Events in the project partner countries. More over, the project will conclude with a final meeting in Samsun, Türkiye, where partners will gather to reflect on the project’s achievements and discuss future opportunities.
Since the start of our Erasmus+-funded Innovators AI Launchpad project, we have been working hard to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable entrepreneurship. With our kick-off meeting at Hafelekar in Neulengbach, we have now reached a new phase in which we will soon be presenting the first tangible results.
What’s next on the agenda?
🌐 Launch of the project website: The preparations of the last few months are paying off. We are about to show the first successful applications of our AI tools in practice.
🤝 New networking group on LinkedIn: From next week, there will be a special group here on LinkedIn. Here you can receive specialist input, exchange ideas, network and benefit from the project results.
Results:
💡 Practical AI skills: 50 start-ups and young companies will benefit directly from our newly developed AI tools.
🌍 Strong community: We are building an active community that works together across borders.
Let’s shape the future of sustainable innovation together!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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