Tartu Vocational College honoured with European Innovative Teaching Award 2025
At the awards gala November 6, in Tallinn, Tartu Vocational College honored with the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025.
This award recognises educational institutions, teachers, and trainers whose Erasmus+ projects have innovatively enriched learning and created opportunities for advancing civic competences. Tartu VOCO earned the recognition for the implementation of the VOLUGRAM project. The project connected the 2024 Capitals of Culture, educational institutions, and volunteer communities to boost volunteer communities in the Capitals of Culture and integrate volunteer work as part of education.
“We believe that learning can take place outside of school classroom. Soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills can be very successfully developed in various group activities. Volunteer work is an excellent opportunity,” explained vocational teacher Mariliis Maremäe.
As part of the project, training and guidance materials were developed for the volunteer coordinators of the Capitals of Culture. A web application was also created through which volunteer work can be assessed and credited as part of studies. The application was launched during the Capital of Culture year and is open for use at volugram.eu
According to project manager Kaire Mets, volunteer work is credited as part of studies at VOCO. “A volunteer work elective module has been created, and volunteer activities are integrated within several other modules. We have also launched an international course based on the Volugram training materials.”
The Erasmus+ project VOLUGRAM was carried out from 2022-2024 and was led by Tartu Vocational Education Centre. Partners included SA Tartu 2024, Bodø 2024, Salzkammergut and Bad Ischl 2024, Volunteer Research and Development Agency VAEV, and Nord University student representation.
The theme of the European Innovative Teaching Award 2025 is “Civic Education – Participation in Democratic Life, Common Values and Civic Action,” which is one of the main priorities of the Erasmus+ programme. The award is presented by the European Commission in collaboration with Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.