Transnational Project Meetings
The TPM1 - Kick-Off meeting
It held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from December 10-11, 2022, marked the official commencement of the GreAT project. Hosted by Istanbul University, this pivotal gathering brought together project partners to lay the groundwork for the collaborative initiative. Although Inercia Digital SL could only participate remotely due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting was well-attended by representatives from all other partner organizations.
The agenda for the kick-off meeting was comprehensive, focusing on the project's purpose, priorities, and planned activities. The partners engaged in detailed discussions to ensure a shared understanding of the project’s goals and to align their efforts. This initial meeting was crucial for setting the stage for successful collaboration and effective project execution.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the appointment of a responsible team leader and contact person for each partner organization. This decision was instrumental in establishing clear lines of communication and accountability, ensuring that each partner understood their specific roles and responsibilities. The meeting outlined a structured plan that includes four transnational project meetings, four learning, teaching, and training (LTT) activities, and a final meeting dedicated to reviewing the project’s progress and preparing the final report. The tasks were distributed equitably among the partners, with clear assignments and deadlines to facilitate smooth project operations.
An important decision made during the meeting was the change in the host organization for the C4 learning, teaching, and training activity. Originally slated to be hosted by Inercia Digital SL, the responsibility was transferred to Adefis Youth International. This adjustment was made to leverage the hosting partners' facilities and resources, ensuring that the activity could be conducted more effectively. Additionally, the general program dates were revised to better accommodate the preparation and implementation processes, reflecting the partners' collective input and logistical considerations.
The meeting also addressed key dissemination tools for the project. Istanbul University was assigned the task of preparing the project’s website and e-books, which are central to the project's outreach and communication strategies. These tools are designed to disseminate information about the project’s activities and outcomes, providing valuable resources to a wider audience.
Furthermore, Intellectual Output O1, a critical component of the project, was discussed in detail. The preparation of this output was aligned with the content of upcoming activities, ensuring that it would be relevant and useful in supporting the project’s objectives. The collaborative effort in refining and preparing Intellectual Output O1 underscored the partners' commitment to maintaining high standards and delivering impactful results.
Overall, the TPM1 - Kick-Off meeting was a significant milestone in the GreAT project, setting a strong foundation for the collaborative efforts ahead. The decisions made and tasks assigned during the meeting were pivotal in guiding the project towards its goals, fostering effective teamwork, and ensuring the successful implementation of the planned activities.
You can see the meeting agenda here.
The TPM2 - Discussing and Revising Activities Meeting
It was hosted by Inercia Digital SL in Huelva, Spain, from April 28th to 29th, 2023. The meeting saw the participation of all partner organizations in person, with the exception of Nişantaşı University (NU), which joined remotely due to their busy academic schedule.
The primary focus of the meeting was to review and evaluate the outcomes of the completed C1 learning, teaching, and training activity titled 'Biofuel Production from Waste (Compost).' This activity was a crucial component of the project, aimed at exploring innovative methods for producing biofuels from organic waste materials. During the meeting, the partners carefully assessed the effectiveness of the training, the engagement of participants, and the overall impact of the activity.
As part of the discussions, the outputs from the C1 activity were identified and reviewed. These outputs included an e-book and a handbook, both designed to provide comprehensive resources on biofuel production techniques and best practices. The partners began preparations for these materials, ensuring that they would be well-structured, informative, and accessible to a wide audience. The e-book and handbook are expected to serve as valuable tools for individuals and organizations involved in biofuel production and sustainable waste management.
In addition to the C1 outputs, the partners made significant progress on another intellectual output: the 'Guide4mentors' aimed at young green entrepreneurs. This guide is intended to offer practical advice, resources, and strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs in the green sector, helping them to navigate the challenges of starting and managing eco-friendly businesses. Preparations for this guide were discussed in detail, with a focus on content development, design, and distribution.
The meeting also involved extensive discussions about the upcoming C3 activity, 'Microalgae as Alternative Food,' which was scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, in May 2023. The partners reviewed the planned schedule, outputs, and objectives for this activity, ensuring that all necessary preparations were in place. This activity is designed to explore the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and nutritious food source, addressing both the scientific and practical aspects of its production and consumption.
Furthermore, assessments and preparations for the future C2 activity, 'Gaming Approaches to Biotechnology,' were conducted. This activity, set to be held in Huelva, Spain, will focus on using gaming as a tool to promote understanding and engagement with biotechnological concepts. The partners discussed the objectives, content, and format of the activity, as well as the related outputs that would be produced.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the development of a mobile game themed around plastic pollution, which is to be created by Inercia Digital SL. The game is intended to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. Partners exchanged ideas on enhancing the game's concept, content, and effectiveness. A deadline of December 2023 was set for the game's completion, which will coincide with the C2 activity.
Lastly, discussions were held regarding the QR code application for the C4 activity, 'Gaming Approaches to Green Environment.' This activity aims to integrate interactive technology to engage users with green environmental practices. The partners reviewed the design and functionality of the QR code application, ensuring that it would effectively complement the overall objectives of the C4 activity.
Overall, the meeting was productive, with significant progress made on various aspects of the project. The partners left Huelva with a clear plan for the next steps and a renewed commitment to advancing the project's goals.
You can see the meeting agenda here.
The TPM3 - Discussing and Revising Activities Meeting
It took place at the Center of Rural Development in Struga, North Macedonia, on May 30th and 31st, 2023. All partner organizations were in attendance, allowing for a comprehensive and collaborative review of the project's progress. The key agenda items included a thorough evaluation of previously conducted learning, teaching, and training activities, specifically C1 – ‘Biofuel Production from Waste (Compost)’ and C3 – ‘Microalgae as Alternative Food.’
The review process involved a detailed analysis of participant feedback, which was instrumental in assessing the effectiveness of these activities. The feedback highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, offering valuable insights into how the activities were received and the impact they had on participants. This evaluation was crucial for refining future activities and ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and relevance.
A significant development during the meeting was the revision of the project's budget. This revision was necessitated by changes in participant numbers in previous activities, which were influenced by the intensive nature of the lab sessions involved. The budget adjustments led to the finalization of participant numbers and profiles for upcoming activities. With a revised budget in place and the consensus of all partners, it was decided to create two additional learning, teaching, and training activities. This decision was made to enhance the project's scope and impact, while also increasing the participant numbers for the Multiplier Event, aimed at maximizing the dissemination and impact of the project's outputs.
Discussions also focused on the forthcoming C2 activity, ‘Gaming Approaches to Biotechnology,’ which is scheduled to be held in Huelva, Spain, and hosted by Inercia Digital SL. The partners reviewed the plans for this activity, including its objectives, content, and schedule. A key point of discussion was the development of a mobile game themed around biotechnology, which is being created by Inercia Digital SL. It was agreed that the mobile game would be prepared in seven languages: English, Turkish, Spanish, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Portuguese, and Estonian. This multilingual approach is designed to ensure that the game is accessible to a broad audience, enhancing its effectiveness and reach. To formalize this decision, a ‘Partners Agreement’ was prepared, outlining the ideas, responsibilities, and agreements of all partners regarding the mobile game.
Additionally, the meeting included discussions on QR code integrated quiz and survey studies for upcoming activities. These tools are intended to engage participants and collect feedback in an interactive manner, providing valuable data to inform future activities and improvements. The partners reviewed the design and implementation of these tools to ensure they would be effective and user-friendly.
The outputs related to the C1 and C3 activities were also evaluated. This included assessing the quality and impact of the e-book and handbook produced for the C1 activity, as well as the resources and findings from the C3 activity on microalgae as an alternative food source. The evaluation aimed to ensure that these outputs met the project's objectives and provided valuable information to the target audience.
Finally, the mid-term report was discussed and revised. This report is a critical component of the project's monitoring and evaluation process, providing an overview of progress, achievements, and challenges faced to date. The partners worked collaboratively to ensure that the report accurately reflected the project's status and provided a clear picture of the work completed and the next steps.
Overall, the TPM3 meeting was productive and collaborative, with significant progress made on various aspects of the project. The partners left Struga with a clear plan for the upcoming activities and a renewed commitment to achieving the project's goals.
You can see the meeting agenda here.
The TPM4 - Discussing and Revising Activities Meeting
It was hosted by the Center of Rural Development in Struga, North Macedonia, from September 14th to 15th, 2023. The meeting saw the in-person attendance of Istanbul University (IU), while the partners from Bulgaria and Spain participated online, facilitating a hybrid approach to collaboration.
The meeting began with a briefing on the acceptance of the mid-term report. This report had been a crucial milestone for the project, providing an overview of progress, achievements, and challenges encountered up to that point. Following its acceptance, partners were informed about the allocation of the second payment provided by the national agency to the beneficiary partner. This allocation process was guided by the revised budget, which had been adjusted to reflect changes made prior to the mid-term report. The briefing ensured that all partners were clear on how the funds would be distributed and managed moving forward.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating the progress in preparing the project outputs. This included a review of the educational content being developed for the upcoming C2 and C4 activities. The C2 activity, ‘Gaming Approaches to Biotechnology,’ is scheduled to be held in Spain in December 2023, while the C4 activity, ‘Gaming Approaches to Green Environment,’ is planned for March 2024. The partners shared updates on the content for these activities, discussing revisions and adjustments to ensure that the materials would meet the project’s objectives and be relevant to participants. Through collaborative discussions, the schedules for both activities were finalized, with agreements reached on key dates, timelines, and logistical details.
To facilitate the selection of participants for these future activities, IU prepared promotional posters. These posters were designed to attract and inform potential participants, outlining the activities, objectives, and application processes. The posters were shared with all partners for translation into their respective languages. This multilingual approach is intended to broaden the reach of the promotional efforts and ensure that information about the activities is accessible to a diverse audience.
Another important decision made during the meeting was the transfer of responsibility for the survey studies from the Bulgarian partner to IU. This decision was based on IU's capabilities as a higher education institution, which positions it well to incorporate the necessary scientific and educational content into the surveys. The transfer aimed to enhance the quality and relevance of the surveys, ensuring that they would be completed in the most suitable manner and provide valuable insights for the project.
Overall, the TPM4 meeting was a productive and collaborative event, with significant progress made in preparing for upcoming activities and refining project outputs. The discussions and decisions taken during the meeting laid a strong foundation for the successful execution of future activities and the continued advancement of the project's goals. The partners concluded the meeting with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, as well as a renewed commitment to achieving the project's objectives.
You can see the meeting agenda here.
The TPM5 - Revising Project Tasks and Discussing Final Report Meeting
It took place via the online platform ZOOM on June 28, 2024, with the participation of all project partners. This virtual meeting was crucial as it marked the final stages of the project, focusing on a comprehensive assessment of all project activities, results, and outputs. The session provided an opportunity for partners to review and finalize various aspects of the project before its conclusion.
The meeting began with a thorough evaluation of the project's activities and outputs. Partners engaged in detailed discussions about the effectiveness of the completed tasks, the quality of the outputs produced, and the overall impact of the project. This evaluation included a final review of the language translations for the educational materials and resources developed throughout the project. Each partner provided insights into the accuracy and appropriateness of the translations in their respective languages, ensuring that the materials were culturally and contextually suitable for all intended audiences.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to sharing detailed information about the 'Multiplier Event' held on May 9, 2024, in Istanbul, Türkiye. This event was a key component of the project, designed to disseminate the project's findings and outputs to a broader audience. Partners discussed the event's outcomes, including participant feedback, the effectiveness of the dissemination strategies employed, and the overall impact of the event on raising awareness and promoting the project's objectives. The insights gained from the Multiplier Event were valuable for understanding the reach and influence of the project’s work.
The progress of writing the final report was another major topic of discussion. The final report is a critical document that encapsulates the entire project’s journey, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Partners reviewed the current status of the report, providing feedback and suggestions for improvements. This collaborative review process ensured that the final report would be comprehensive, accurate, and reflective of the project's outcomes.
Additionally, the status of improvements for the plastic pollution-themed mobile game was extensively reviewed. The mobile game, developed by Inercia Digital SL, is a key output of the project aimed at raising awareness about plastic pollution. The meeting included a detailed discussion on the progress of the game’s development, including any issues encountered and solutions proposed. Inercia Digital SL provided an update on the improvements made and outlined the next steps. A final deadline for completing these improvements was established, ensuring that the game would be ready for launch in alignment with the project's timelines.
The meeting concluded with a summary of the key decisions and action items agreed upon. Partners reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing all outstanding tasks and delivering the project's remaining outputs. The collaborative effort of all partners during the meeting was essential for ensuring that the project would be concluded successfully, with all objectives met and deliverables completed to the highest standard.
Overall, TPM5 provided a valuable opportunity for partners to review, discuss, and finalize the project’s key components, paving the way for a successful conclusion and ensuring that all project goals were achieved.
You can see the meeting agenda here.
