<< Objectives >>The aim of the project is to exchange experiences between the Polish and Bulgarian parties on the amicable settlement of disputes by Arbitration Courts operating at Partner organizations. It is connected with the involvement of less financial and time resources as well as with taking adequate innovative actions. Additionally, the possibility of using information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to create and conduct online arbitration is assumed. Online arbitration may be conducted.<< Implementation >>As part of the project, the implementation of activities by all partners was assumed. There will be trainings, workshops, meetings and study visits. It is assumed that the Partners will continue to cooperate for a period of 12 months.<< Results >>The result of the project will be to improve the qualifications of the management staff of SMEs, through the acquisition of additional knowledge during training and trips, in the field of out-of-court dispute resolution. It is particularly important among small entrepreneurs who do not have adequate human resources to settle disputes and resolve conflicts in court.

"<< Objectives >>The aim of the project is to improve the quality of work and practiced organizations, ie the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Białystok and the Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. An important aspect of the project will be capacity building in the field of international practice and cross-sectoral. These goals, which are fulfilled by both organizations, will be implemented by activities in the form of organizations / workshops, B2B meetings, study visits as part of the Academy.<< Implementation >>The following activities are planned as part of the project:Action ""Project management"" implemented by the Leader,Action ""Vocational Self-Improvement Academy in Poland"" implemented by the Leader,Action ""Vocational Self-Improvement Academy in Bulgaria"" implemented by the Partner,The action ""Dissemination of the project"" implemented by the Leader,The action ""Dissemination of the project"" carried out by the Leader.<< Results >>The aim of the project is to improve the quality of work and practices of the involved organizations, ie the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Białystok and the Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. An important aspect of the project will be building the capacity of the organization in the field of international and intersectoral work."

<< Objectives >>The project is aiming to build the capacity of key actors in VET (VET institutions, intermediary organisations and companies) to support the organisation of apprenticeships in a digital and virtual way. This includes the use of digital skills and methods, the design and implementation of digital strategies in relation with the organisation of online apprenticeships that will fit their own needs, the implementation of EFQEA online and the digital adaptation of their apprenticeship procedures<< Implementation >>The activities to be implemented are the following: identification of best practices that have already been implemented in the field at an international level and could be transferred in other contexts – development of models, templates and other guidance for VET stakeholders in relation with virtual apprenticeships - Development of training curriculum and material on the basis of these handbooks – training VET stakeholders on virtual apprenticeships at national and European level.<< Results >>The project is going to develop 3 project results: - A collection of best practices from all over the world in the field of virtual apprentticeships - Handbooks with step by step guides, tips and templates related with the organisation of online apprenticeships – Online and blended courses at national and European level. At the end of the project, it is expected that the VET actors will increase significantly their skills, capability and willingness to organise online apprenticeships.

The main objective of this project is to contribute to the implementation of the European policies in the field of innovation management capacity building in SMEs and their implementation in Bulgaria, resulting in effective and efficient investments in novelties leading to growth and quality jobs. As a major tool for improving global competitiveness of European companies, implementation of novelties in products, processes and society needs specially devoted attention and resources. This project will contribute to the better filtering and acceleration of innovation processes in Bulgarian SMEs, thus supporting growth and jobs. Supported companies are supposed to be better prepared for using Access to Finance instruments and attract investments in innovations

BackgroundTo combat youth unemployment the European Union and its member states are using apprenticeships as a solution. Public money is being used to encourage employers to invest in young people as apprentices. For employers however, it is not a level playing field the barriers for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are significant and prevent them from taking on apprentices. In the UK less than 10% of SMEs will take on an apprentice compared to a third of large companies. Given that the consensus, amongst academic studies and labour market experts is that growth in employment will come from SMEs as they account for 98% of businesses in the UK, there is a danger that these business organisations will not engage with apprenticeships and public investment will not be as effective as it could be. Partners Gedling Borough Council (GBC) based in Nottingham (UK) was the lead partner for the project. Germany and Canada were ‘teachers’ and Bulgaria, Poland and the UK were ‘learners’ in this Key Action 2 project.UK - GBC Economic Growth Service Berlin - Research Institution for Further Education and Training (IBBF)Ottawa - Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)Sofia - Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Poznan - Zespol Szkol Lacznosci Technical College Poznan (ZSL)UK - NGi Ltd Objectives The project sought to address what elements of SMEs support and training could be adopted to help eliminate barriers to engagement through good practice examples from Germany and Canada, two countries with a good track record at assisting SMEs to take on an apprentice, and import this into Bulgaria, Poland and the UK who wished to do better. The first six months of the project focused on the identification of the barriers SMEs experienced when engaging with apprenticeships in the five partner countries, these barriers where then compared and contrasted to identify similarities and differences. The outcome was irrespective of the differing context in apprenticeship delivery in each country barriers were relatively similar with 7 common barriers identified. The partnership used research results, examples of good practice along with a consultation exercise with SMEs, apprenticeship commissioners, training providers and wider stakeholders to develop training programmes and resources to remove the identified barriers for SMEs in each pilot programme delivery country. The aim was to create an easy to access one-stop-shop where even the smallest of enterprises have access to the knowledge and skills required to recruit an apprentice of their own and to build the capacity and capability of the pilot programme delivery teams.Targets By the end of the project we aimed to work with 270 SMEs to take on at least 1 apprentice for the first time, and a total of 360 young people will have completed or be on course to complete an apprenticeship. We wanted to see a significant increase in awareness among young people of the opportunities an apprenticeship will provide as the project aimed to engage with 30 secondary schools. Further, we wanted to see a significant increase in the understanding of SMEs about the benefits of having an apprentice. The project has achieved an expected impact within the regions that partners in Bulgaria, Poland and the UK operate, to deliver a significant increase in SME apprenticeship engagement. Finally the project was to host 3 dissemination events attracting a minimum of 300 stakeholders, with the aim that the projects transferable outputs would be adopted elsewhere.Results No. of SMEs Supported 2016-2017 Target Actual UK 45 56 Bul 45 45Pol 45 45Totals 135 1462017-18 Target Actual UK 45 42 Bulgaria 45 45Poland 45 55Totals 135 142Combined 288 No. of Apprenticeship Starts 2016-17 Target Actual UK 60 37Bul 60 60Po 60 91Totals 180 1882017-2018 Target Actual UK 60 50Bul 60 60Pol 60 106Totals 180 216Combined 404 Next Steps Project partners will continue to update and develop materials created during the term of the project to support SMEs to engage with apprenticeships and secure apprenticeship starts. Partners have signed a MoU setting out how they will continue to work together to disseminate results and explore sustainability opportunities.