The John S. Latsis Public Foundation wishes  

• to familiarize young school pupils with modern educational models based on a student-centred approach to knowledge so as to lay the foundations for creation of an open learning environment that will ultimately produce active citizens, 
• to promote innovation in education through targeted activities,
• to support the learning process through tried and tested cooperative/collaborative teaching methods and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) and
• to help with the development of entrepreneurship in boys and girls of primary school age,

and so for the fourth year running invites primary school teachers to submit proposals to be implemented in the 2016-17 school year by kindergartens and primary schools in areas covered by the 1st Athens, Piraeus, Eastern Attica and Western Attica Primary Education Directorates.

The key aim of the programme is to strengthen the personality of the pupil, the growth and development of self, the promotion and reinforcement of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-perception through innovative actions (e.g. SMART targeting) and implementation of cooperative/collaborative teaching methods.

At the same time it provides the opportunity for the submission of proposals which will promote pupil entrepreneurship (e.g. school cooperatives), in this way cultivating pupils’ personal skills and critical thinking (the critical thinking approach), familiarizing them with concepts linked to the field of economics, linking school life with real life situations through experiential actions and activating school students’ creativity and ability to resolve everyday problems (the problem solving method).

Through this programme the opportunity is provided for schools to cultivate the cooperative culture, and its spirit, and for educators to apply modern teaching methods and innovative educational ideas and practices.

Basic prerequisites and information

• On a table (attachment 4) each school presents a brief SWOT analysis of the educational facility. This is deemed necessary so that the committee evaluating the proposals can become familiar with the basic characteristics of the educational facility, that is to say its strong and weak points, as well as the opportunities and “threats” it faces.

• Proposals for implementation of innovative educational approaches and learning strategies for everyday school use: The proposals to be submitted will involve the application of specific innovative methods and their linkage to concrete subject matter and themes on the basis of a detailed study programme to be applied for each individual class. Vague and generalizing proposals will be rejected.

• Proposals related to utilization of cooperative/collaborative learning methods in everyday school practice:  The proposals to be submitted will involve the application of specific innovative methods and their linkage to concrete subject matter and themes on the basis of a detailed study programme to be applied for each individual class. Vague and generalizing proposals will be rejected.

• Proposals related to entrepreneurship:  Apart from the basic entrepreneurial idea (“product”), these proposals are to be accompanied by a brief “business plan” (Attachment 5) to facilitate understanding of the subsequent course of action proposed.

• In the event that the proposal provides for use of ICT and it is judged necessary that the relevant equipment be provided, there must be a presentation of the way in which the proper and suitable use of the equipment can be ensured in the future also, for the benefit of the pupils in the school. 

• Participation is open to teachers from public primary schools and kindergartens of the 1st Athens, Piraeus, Eastern Attica and Western Attica Primary Education Directorates. Proposals may be submitted by individual teachers or small groups of teachers including a co-ordinator (totalling up to three teachers).

• Financial support will be provided on the basis of the detailed budget to be submitted together with the proposal for accomplishment of the educational activity, to an amount of up to two and a half thousand Euros (€2.500).  Eligible expenditure includes every type of expense necessary for completion of the programme, including VAT, not including salaries. The School Committee has responsibility for financial management.

• 1st December 2016 has been set as the date for commencing implementation of the selected proposals.

• Educators interested in participating in the “Learning Together 2016-17 programme are to send to the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation by 14th June 2017 a brief description of previous activities (photographs, videos, brief lesson/activity summaries).

• The activities to be carried out are evaluated by pupils and teachers on the basis of questionnaires to be sent out by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation  by 14th June 2017. 

Preparation for Submission of Proposal

Proposals are to be submitted – by electronic means only – up to Monday, 31st October 2016, at 2.00 p.m..

The submission form can be obtained from here.

Participants must include in their detailed proposal the following data and information:

1. Title of the Activity with a brief description (up to 50 words)

2. Details on the co-ordinator and members (with a brief biographical résumé, up to 200 words per teacher)

3. Data on the school, with a brief SWOT analysis (on the basis of the model)

4. Description of the proposal:

• rationale
• detailed description and outline of objectives (with a brief “business plan” – on the basis of the model – for the proposals related to entrepreneurship)
• record of previous corresponding initiatives
• number and age of pupils to be involved
• expected practical results of the activity

5.  A brief “business plan” based on the table in attachment 5, only for proposals related to entrepreneurship.

6.  Budget

7.  Co-ordinator confirmation for the information of the school authorities

The following attachments are appended to this announcement (in Greek):

Attachment 1: General information on innovation in education and useful hyperlinks

Attachment 2: Hyperlinks for methods on co-operative/collaborative teaching methods and information on pupil entrepreneurship

Attachment 3: Basic information on SWOT analysis with examples of criteria and sample analysis.

Attachment 4: Model SWOT analysis to be completed. It is to be submitted with the overall proposal.

Attachment 5: Model business plan. To be submitted together with the overall proposal only if this relates to entrepreneurship.