What we do with the European Union

Think Tank AlterContacts support the efforts of the EU to shape a safer and better world for all. Through effective multi-stakeholder partnerships and civil society initiatives, we contribute to making Europe greener, more digital, and more resilient with a special focus on education, empowering youth, small business support, and reviving rural areas.

GRANT PARTNERSHIPS

We are open to participating in EU Grant applications as a contributing partner. Our identification numbers are PIC 893270382 and OID E10277518. If you'd like to receive our Partner Identification Form (PIF), please email to info@altercontacts.org.

GreenScope

GreenScope (2025-2028) is a project with a goal to develop an interdisciplinary educational toolkit to train students in environmental monitoring using Earth Observation and LiDAR data. The consortium will create curricula, MOOCs, innovation labs, and an open-access repository so higher education institutions can integrate EO/LiDAR into teaching and prepare future professionals to use geospatial technologies for climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

Sustainable Ecotourism Awareness (SEA)

The Sustainable Ecotourism Awareness project aims to bridge vocational training and the green transition in tourism by developing innovative training, mentoring, and consulting programs focused on sustainable tourism management and green certification and standards like EU Ecolabel and ISO 14001. It was awarded the ERASMUS+ grant for KA220-VET to be implemented between 2025-2028.

Circular Competence Training for Aquaculture Waste Management using VR and AR Tools (CIRCU-TECH)

The project aims to promote sustainability and the circular economy by creating a tailored training program for aquaculture workers. It seeks to address waste management challenges in aquaculture by developing innovative learning tools and practices using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It was awarded the ERASMUS+ grant for KA220-VET to be implemented between 2025-2027. Read more here

AI-powered Next Generation of Vocational Education Training (AI4VET4AI)

The project aims to enhance artificial intelligence skills within Europe's vocational education and training (VET). It seeks to bridge the AI skills gap by developing innovative teaching content and methods, targeting both students and teachers. It was awarded the ERASMUS+ grant for Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVE) to be implemented between 2023-2027. Read more here

Promoting Resilience and Employability in uniVersity (PREVIEW)

The project focuses on enhancing remote internship experiences within higher education. Its scope includes developing innovative teaching methods, digital resources, and assessment tools to prepare students for the evolving landscape of remote work. PREVIEW was awarded the ERASMUS+ Grant for KA220-HED to be implemented between 2022-2025. Read more here

Explore our Past Projects here

Awards and Recognition

EU Break Fellowship Program 2022

The co-founder of Think Tank AlterContacts, Julia Skupchenko, was awarded the Break 2022 Fellowship for the project "mOther Earth" to revive rural Spain. During the fellowship in October 2022, we carried the fieldwork in the village of Silleda in the region of Galicia, including open interviews with local youth, sustainable entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and an event at the primary school of Silleda involving 260 children.

National Finalist of the Netherlands 2021

On 30 March 2021, the Lockdown Economy initiative by the Think Tank AlterContacts was chosen by the Dutch representatives in the European Parliament as the national finalist from the Netherlands for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2021. For its contribution to promoting European and international understanding and providing role models for young people living in Europe and offering practical examples of Europeans living together as one community. The press release from the EU is here.