More than 50 participants took part in the opening conference of the EU/CoE Joint Project “Building Capacity for Inclusion in Education – INCLUDE".

The event was preceded by the first Steering Committee, composed of representatives of central and local authorities, civil society organisations dealing with inclusion of vulnerable groups in the field of education and of course of the European Union and of the Council of Europe, which will lead the four year-long project.

Both meetings highlighted how steps forward will be made to include in the education system children from vulnerable communities, and particularly Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian girls and boys and children with special education needs. The project builds on existing strategies and practices to further increase and improve access of all children to quality education. Their interests are at the heart of all project’s activities and partners found common ground on key principles to ensure this, such as that of a comprehensive approach highlighting the benefit of inclusive education to the whole society.

INCLUDE started in January 2020 and immediately had to adapt to the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an example, more than 150 teachers and educational staff completed a specific training on the use of online platforms for teaching children with special education needs with the aim to allow the continuation of teaching.