eematico in partnership with NGO Academy and AmpliFY NGO organized the conference “Connecting for Non-Formal Education”, a reference event in non-formal education in Romania and a context for dialogue and collaboration between key actors in the field of non-formal, formal and entrepreneurial education. The conclusions of the working groups, which formulated needs and practical solutions, were synthesized in one document which can be consulted for free.
In a dynamic world, non-formal education plays an essential role in complementing the formal system, providing opportunities for developing skills that are not always developed in traditional systems. The event Connecting for Non-Formal Education provided a platform for dialogue between key actors in the field of non-formal, formal and entrepreneurial education.
The 3 components of education – formal, informal, non-formal must work together for an effective educational process. Informal education identifies real needs, non-formal education is the laboratory of an innovative and structured approach to address these needs. Thus future solutions are generated for formal education, whose role is to effectively scale them to the general public.
Connecting for Non-Formal Education 2024 was a two-day event that brought together a diverse audience, together with 14 dedicated organizations and 4 business mentors, with the common goal of debating and analyzing 4 essential themes in the sphere of non-formal education. The structure of the event allowed collaboration in working groups to identify and implement practical solutions to the challenges facing this community.
This year’s edition focused on four main themes:
1. Identifying challenges and opportunities in non-formal education
2. Exploring innovative solutions to scale the impact of non-formal education
3. Identification of business models to ensure the sustainability of non-formal education organizations
4. Development of intra- and inter-sectoral collaboration strategies to improve the quality and efficiency of non-formal education
The event highlighted the importance of intra- and inter-sectoral collaboration between NGOs, formal education and the private sector, both nationally and internationally, identifying networking, co-working spaces and coalitions as essential tools for sharing best practices and maximizing impact. The financial sustainability of non-formal education organizations was another central topic, with participants discussing funding models such as hybrid organisations, crowdfunding, corporate sponsorships and social enterprises. Also discussed was the importance of measuring impact and tracking progress through surveys, interviews and case studies, for self-evaluation and credibility with funders and beneficiaries.
The 14 specialists involved in the work process were: Simona Beldiman – Bosch Romania Foundation, Ana Maria Costache – La Firul Ierbii Community Center, Simona David Crisbășanu – Education Coalition/ROI Association, Veronica Fișcu – Children’s Palace in Giurgiu, Rreze Hoxha – Toka Foundation, Kosovo, Ion Neculai – eematico, Miruna Pătrașcu – Bucharest Science Festival / Secular Humanist Association, Dijana Pejic – Genesis Project, Bosnia Herzegovina, Gabriela Radu – High School No. 17, Galați, Ioana Rădulescu – IDEES Theoretical German High School, Alexandru Roșu – Teach for Romania, Sorin Țarmure – Small Academy, Ștefan Vasilică – Leaders Foundation, Diana Vintilă – Code Kids / Progress Foundation Bucharest.
A special guest of the conference was Prof. Dr. Jurgen Willems, who talked about the differences between efficiency and effectiveness. He mentions that solutions in non-formal education are generally the result of a process of continuous learning and development.
In order to experience on the spot a form of non-formal education, they were thought of DIY moments brand eematico. Thus, on the first day, the specialists assembled an agenda, and on the second day, all the participants created a small notepad. Both days had in mind the collaborative creation of conceptual installations on the theme of “Connection and sustainability in non-formal education”, using modular pieces that serve as didactic materials in eematico courses.
“By organizing the second edition of Connecting for Non-Formal Education in 2024, we have gained the confidence to dream of Connecting for Non-Formal 2034, 2044 and even beyond. We realized how necessary a space dedicated to those who work and are passionate about education, a place to meet, connect and collaborate. Thus, we believe that we are laying the foundations of a strong community that supports the construction of a united non-formal sector, able to contribute significantly to the development of the educational ecosystem in Romania and beyond its borders”, he declared Ion Neculaico-founder of eematico.
“Connecting for Non-Formal Education exceeded all our expectations at NGO Academy. I am very happy to have been able to participate in this inspiring gathering of passionate, innovative minds dedicated to making a difference. The atmosphere at the event was charged with positivity and a shared desire for action. We are grateful for eematico’s professionalism and tireless efforts in building a platform for collaboration and exchange of experience in the field of non-formal education”, transmitted Marianne MannProgramme Coordinator, WU Wien.
“We are very happy that we were partners of the event. We at AmpliFY NGO strongly believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing between NGOs, the public and private sectors. And this event was a great opportunity to connect, share knowledge and work in teams among people who have a common goal: to improve education.
The collaborative mentality, manifested not only during an event, but also through the creation of long-term partnerships and joint initiatives, has a significant impact. It has the power to amplify individual efforts, to accelerate the growth and scaling of organizations, but also to generate systemic changes,” he emphasized Flavia GheorgheExecutive Director, AmpliFY NGO.
The event was made by eematico in partnership with NGO Academy and AmpliFY ONGwith the support of Coca-Cola Romania, Esiberg, Nod Makerspace, Organic Life. Facilitation by Florin Ghindă, Coffee – Perfectly Simple and FROG Catering and Atelierul de Tarte.
eematico is an organization that, since 2015, has been developing and implementing STEAM learning experiences for children based on play and hands-on activities for children. We believe that play is the natural learning mechanism and we use this idea to help as many children as possible develop their capacity for continuous learning and the skills needed in the 21st century. The eematico team consists of: architects, psychologists, engineers, philologists, designers and communication and marketing people.
NGO Academy was founded in 2013 with the aim of strengthening the civil society sector in Central and Eastern Europe by providing additional educational opportunities. By transferring knowledge, developing skills and facilitating networking, NGO Academy supports organizations and, indirectly, their beneficiaries. The NGO Academy is a joint initiative of the ERSTE Foundation and the Competence Center for Nonprofit Organizations and Social Entrepreneurship of Vienna University for Economics and Business.
Starting in 2024, AmpliFY ONG it addresses the main challenges of the NGO environment, starting from funding, collaboration opportunities, resource allocation or monitoring and scaling up impact.
AmpliFY NGO has built a community of over 400 members, both from the NGO, public and private environment, as well as the resources needed to amplify the impact.
Source: www.iqads.ro
