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Supported by Erasmus + Programme

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Open Digital Europe

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Out of the Box International develops a tailor made open data model and policies based on open digital environment which is transparent, accountable and secured.

Social Businesses

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Out of the Box International works with already existing hubs, various local and national stakeholders and social entrepreneurs in order to further develop and promote successful social entrepreneurship policies and practices.

Solidarity Europe

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Out of the Box International delivers expertise in the field of cohesive policies by using cross-sectorial approach and non-formal  education, in a global perspective.

European Project

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Out of the Box International  works further to enhance current cooperation in South East Europe region and actively supports the integration of all European countries in common European project.

Heading in a new direction

October 30, 2024

OTB Week ‘24 has passed, but the work never stops! And as the dust has settled, it is time to start planning for the future.

During the event, the 4 new OTB policy papers were introduced to the general assembly, marking a shift in the new planning period for the years 2026-2030, in which the organisation will focus on Alternative Democracies, Social Cohesion, Mental Health and several cross-cutting priorities, specifically Youth, Social Entrepreneurship and Human AI (more on the new priorities here ).

 

But how does this translate into the new priorities of OTB?

The planning period for the new priorities and directions started with the establishment of future positions of work during OTB Week ‘23, where the main topics were established, and the need for cross-cutting priorities was underlined. And so, with the new topics in mind, the task force was formed and the recommendations were established.

 

During this, the office was already working towards the new topics, and as of this summer, the organisational shift has had some tangible results. Within the last few months, 6 new projects jointly in the Belgian and Portuguese offices were approved contributing to the priorities:

  1. INCLUSIVE-PATH: Supporting Transitions for Individuals with IDDs will contribute towards the priority of Social Cohesion by enhancing the transition of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) to post-secondary education and adult learning
  2. Choose-life: Empowering Youth to Combat Substance Abuse will contribute towards the two priorities of Mental Health and Social Cohesion by empowering marginalized youths (ages 14-18) by promoting their psychosocial well-being, education, and inclusion.
  3. TackleDisInfo: Tackling Disinformation and Promoting Digital Literacy Through Education and Training will equip educators and trainers with the necessary digital literacy and critical thinking skills to counteract disinformation, nurturing digitally adept European citizens, thus contributing to the priority of Social Cohesion.
  4. MARVI: Museum and Restoration Volunteering for Inclusion will commit to making European museums more inclusive and accessible to everyone, breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that cultural heritage is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability, thus fitting right in within the Social Cohesion priority.
  5. SPARK: Enhancing Political Participation for Youth with Disabilities aims to bridge the gap in democratic engagement for young Europeans with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, contributing towards the Alternative Democracies, Social Cohesion and Mental Health pillars.
  6. AccessibleMarket: Up-Skilling Persons with Disabilities to Access the Market through Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives tackles the topics of social cohesion, and a cross-cutting topic of social entrepreneurship by improving the skills in social entrepreneurship among adults with disabilities, acknowledging the challenges they face in a predominantly digital business environment.

The new project approvals mark a significant shift fitting the new priorities. We are excited to embark on the journey and will be sharing the first results soon!

Why Out of the Box International

The seemingly ever-lasting depression of European economies has shaken the very foundations of many European societies. The shear rate of unemployment in Europe and the omnipresent environmental crisis coupled with the often frustratingly slow process of decision making in the EU, are calling for civil society actors to step in and fill the void.

In the aftermath of the 2008. economic crisis, the apprehension of falling under the spell of apathy of economic depression across the continent has not been easy to shake off. However, pinpointing the culprits for the current state of affairs on any particular EU decision maker is not the answer. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the current approach to the economic and environmental crisis hasn’t yet shown the affected citizens the light at the end of the tunnel.

As representatives of the civil society we feel the need to make our voice heard in the midst of the current debate on economic crisis. Being a social enterprise we offer new and feasible ideas in education and community work, creative cross-sectorial cooperation among different actors and strong networking coalitions to turn these dire economic challenges into possibilities through social entrepreneurship initiatives which aim at benefiting wide range of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and those affected by the economic crisis.

Social entrepreneurship is a simple concept that has been put into practice by civil society actors for the benefit of a specific social group or people, and this is precisely what we want: to create projects and initiatives with fresh ideas in different policies, educational programs or tools, support businesses, empower cultural initiatives and offer different solutions to individuals, corporate bodies, everybody who believe that we can have more Creative, Innovative and Cohesive Europe.

 

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