<< Background >>Europe is currently going through a pandemic that has reduced social interaction, wellbeing and its economic competitiveness, with the continent as a whole now entering another recession. Access to quality education, rewarding experiences and transdisciplinary approaches are key to providing a swift recovery that will benefit multiple parts of European society. Innovative and digital approaches to education are needed to continue developing Europe’s and Malta’s need for an informed democracy with active citizens and a competitive labour market that has a multicultural understanding.The term “wicked problem” is used to describe issues, such as climate change, educational systems, and worldwide pandemics that at first appear impossible to address due to their interconnected and complex nature. Key to addressing these challenges is bringing diverse groups of differently knowledgeable people together and developing their creativity skills and mindset to implement positive change.The SciCultureD consortium wants to help address these “wicked problems” with a multi-faceted approach. It brings together an NGO (Science View, Greece), SME (city2cience) and HEI (Higher Education) institutions (University of Malta; Hogskulen Pa Vestlandet, Norway) around Europe, and an associated network (RUHR [Ruhr Regional Association], EUSEA [European Science Engagement Association], VDC (Valletta Design Cluster), IEPBA (Institute for Environmental and Sustainable Development Research), Municipality of Stord, & RESEO —w/o budget) that lead in STEM subjects, science communication, public engagement, co-creative innovation, arts, and entrepreneurial, design and systems thinking. They will adapt existing pedagogical content in transdisciplinary approaches to develop a student-centred, innovative, intensive training course with real world and collaborative online international learning components. The programme will have elements of science, arts, and entrepreneurship that are brought together using design, systems, creative and future thinking approaches in an open-ended educative approach the ultimate aim of which is to aid diverse groups of people to work together to address major societal and environmental challenges. The intense 5-day programme will use creative pedagogies with a core focus on embodied dialogue, together with a learning-by-doing approach around a central project (themed on the European Green Deal, and SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals, especially 3–5, 11, 13, 16–17]) to effectively bring participants (HEI students [undergraduates, postgraduates], researchers, educators and professionals [artists, entrepreneurs, makers]) together to work alongside and learn from one another. Developing the course will stimulate innovative learning and teaching practices within each partner and their networks to develop a gold standard through the partners’ expertise to create several open access online resources to benefit EU society and its physical and urban environment.SciCultureD will attempt to address the above grand needs on a local, regional and EU-wide level. To help achieve this the course will be coupled to several multiplier events, a platform, toolkit, CPD & ECTS courses, HEI policy change, exhibitions, best practice guides, published peer-reviewed studies, a mentorship & accreditation system, and an ambassador network linked to the above mentioned professional networks (EUSEA & RESEO). An extensive marketing campaign will reach at least 50,000 people & directly engage 1,000 individuals. SciCultureD will directly impact 4 other HEIs, 3 regional bodies, 10 SMEs/NGOs & over 100 researchers.We want to run SciCultureD to address the above needs by developing an innovative approach to transdisciplinary education that leads to an active network focused on improving the health, well-being and cohesiveness of EU society and its environment.<< Objectives >>The SciCultureD project focuses on addressing societal and environmental challenges through an innovative approach to transdisciplinary education for a wide-ranging impact and empowerment on all levels. SciCultureD’s objectives are:To develop a student-centred, innovative, intensive science, arts and humanities EU-wide course for HEI students and other stakeholders. The course will be both a real world and collaborative online international learning course.To build upon existing networks (such as RESEO & EUSEA) in order to increase the transdisciplinarity of artist and scientist networks to include educators and entrepreneurs for them to collaborate on innovative projects and research initiatives that improve the health, well-being and cohesiveness of EU society & its environment.To encourage the concepts of design and systems thinking, co-creative approaches, entrepreneurship, the creative economy, and innovation amongst educators, professionals, HEI students and academics to impact the wider community and environment.To build a culture of transdisciplinarity that highlights the benefits of cooperation between different fields, which is reflective of inclusive and sustainable societies.To embed inclusivity and diversity mechanisms, active citizenship, citizen science and participatory research approaches, European Green Deal values, and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals, especially 3–5, 11, 13, 16–17) in SciCultureD partners and their wider networks. To achieve these objectives, SciCultureD will first develop an intensive blended course in transdisciplinary learning. Participants will be trained to develop their resilience and multicultural understanding while diversifying their skill set in co-creative approaches, project management, transdisciplinary team working, design and systems thinking, entrepreneurship, creativity, scientific processes, innovation and arts-related skills. Participants will work on real challenges within communities in Greece (2022), Germany (2023) and Malta (2024). Each course will be studied (D5) to improve the next one and develop a best practice to be shared within the network.After the course, a mentorship and accreditation programme (D6) will encourage course participants to develop a SciCultureD ambassador network. This network will be involved in the project’s multiplier events to broaden project reach outside of the consortium to help achieve its objectives. The SciCultureD consortium will also develop an expanded SciCultureD associated network composed of regional bodies (RUHR [Ruhr Regional Association], Municipality of Stord), community engaged institutions (VDC [Valletta Design Cluster]), & publicly engaged HEIs (IEPBA [Institute for Environmental and Sustainable Development Research]) & science and arts professional networks (EUSEA & RESEO). The network will ensure that SciCultureD focuses on real environmental and social challenges in the EU region. They will also help develop the wide-ranging project results/deliverables designed to help others to adopt SciCultureD’s best practice and tools. Ultimately these collaborations will help expand positive impact on communities, institutions & their environment.<< Implementation >>SciCultureD has several activities aligned to ERASMUS+ objectives that will impact each partner country’s institution, country and other HEIs, SMEs and NGOs around Europe.The SciCultureD intense 5-day course will use creative pedagogies with a core focus on embodied dialogue, together with a learning-by-doing approach around a central challenge that groups of participants will address. The Challenge will be inspired by the European Green Deal, and SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals, especially 3–5, 11, 13, 16–17]) and will be a real problem or issue that the community faces. For C1 this will be Greece, C2 Germany, and C3 Malta. SciCultureD will train 69 course participants (HEI students [undergraduates, postgraduates], researchers, educators and professionals [artists, entrepreneurs, makers]) to develop their resilience and multicultural understanding while diversifying their skill set in project management, transdisciplinary team working, design and systems thinking, entrepreneurship, creativity, scientific processes, innovation and arts-related skills. After the intensive learning activity, participants will form the SciCultureD ambassador network (D6). To enable a learning-by-doing approach, they will be involved in all multiplier events. SciCultureD multiplier events include:—E1–3: SciCultureD Meets are hybrid artistic and entrepreneurial events in collaboration with project participants to maximise their learning while sharing best practice with external stakeholders (target audiences: citizens, researchers, educators, professionals). —E3–7: SciCultureD Co-creative Workshops that see participants working with the SciCultureD associated network and local stakeholders to address local societal and environmental challenges (target audiences: primary and secondary school teachers, academics, other HEIs, NGOs, SMEs and entrepreneurs, policy makers and government officials, and other stakeholders). —E8 SciCultureD Hybrid Open Conference is coupled with an exhibition (D4) to enhance impact and reach. It brings together the whole project activities and results, and is a central outreach focal point. Target audiences: professionals (artists, entrepreneurs, designers, makers), educators, academics, researchers, other HEIs, NGOs, SMEs and entrepreneurs, policy makers and government officials. To ensure that the courses, multiplier events, and project results/deliverables are well attended and utilised, a comprehensive marketing campaign is planned. The following tools will be used: press releases, mailshots, posters, videos, articles, social media posts and other engaging material which will be used for both brand identity and awareness. Targeted marketing will be used for a tailored approach to reach specific groups. The SciCultureD Associated partner network will be part of the marketing strategy to expand project impact. The strategy will ensure that over 50,000 people will be reached and 1,000 people directly involved, resulting in a direct impact on 4 other HEIs, 3 regional bodies, 10 SMEs/NGOs & over 100 researchers.Risk mitigation plans are in place for the course and multiplier events to be adaptable and go completely online if COVID-19 measures restrict travel.<< Results >>SciCultureD wants to develop several innovative tools, resources and human capital to achieve its wide ranging objectives that ultimately aim to improve the health, well-being and cohesiveness of EU society & its environment. Impact will be wide-ranging and on multiple levels from institutional to local, regional to international. SciCultureD is planning the following Project Results/Deliverables (D):D1: The SciCultureD web and social media engagement and repository platforms (led by UM)D2: Testing and adaptation of SciCulture Toolkit to address environmental and societal issues (led by UM)D3: Embedding of a SciCultureD approach within partner institutions — CPD courses for teachers and other academics, executing undergraduate courses, policy change within HEI institutions (led by city2science)D4: SciCultureD Participant artworks and activities (led by HVL)D5: Study of the course and multiplier event impact to develop a best practice and HEI self assessment system (Led by HVL, strongly supported by ScienceView)D6: Mentorship and accreditation system for SciCultureD tutors to help SciCultureD ambassadors develop their ideas and projects (led by ScienceView)The following text outlines how the deliverables will be incorporated into ScilCultureD activities. The intensive course (C1–C3) will be evaluated & improved three times (D5) to develop a best practice transdisciplinary course. The process will be published in academic literature to encourage the SciCultureD approach & benefits to maximise impact on other HEI academics and educators. Learners who undertake the course are expected to develop skill sets that will enhance their employability and critical thinking skills, performance and other arts-related skills & develop techniques that encourage open-ended transdisciplinary teamwork. These learners will form the SciCultureD ambassador network, mentored by the partner institutions (D6). These participants will organise SciCultureD Meets (E1–3) and Co-Creative workshops (E4–E7) using interactive artistic and creative approaches (D4). Ambassadors and multiplier event participants will be rewarded and recognised for their achievements (D6). The SciCultureD Open Conference (E8) will bring together all project achievements and activities (D1–6) and be coupled to a science and arts public engagement activity or exhibition (D4) to enhance the diversity of stakeholders attracted to the conference.SciCultureD will test & adapt the SciCulture toolkit (a previous Erasmus+ project) using it to address environmental and societal issues in the multiplier events, & incorporate these values in each institution’s CPD and ECTS courses (D2 & D3). D3 will also embed policy change to enhance societal inclusion, equity, & sustainability within institutions. The toolkit (D2), study & HEI self-assessment system (D5) are targeted for external stakeholders (4 HEIs, 4 NGOs, 2 regional bodies & others) to use to develop their own transdisciplinary courses that share SciCultureD’s aims & values in line with ERASMUS+ objectives to maximise impact on the wider community & environment.The results from this course D2–6 will be available on the SciCultureD platform D1 & on the associated network partner EUSEA’s European Science Engagement Platform that will be used to engage participants and external stakeholders. The platform will be maintained for 5 years after project completion to ensure legacy. A comprehensive marketing campaign will make 50,000 aware of the project, its aims & achievements, & directly engage 1,000 individuals (C1–3, E1–5) in order to encourage a behavioural change towards a more equitable, just, and innovative society & environment. Ultimately, SciCultureD wants to embed its values and positive change in all partner institutions and their networks targeting pedagogy, CPD courses, & policy change (D3&D6) to help address Europe-wide needs on multiple levels during and after the COVID-19 pandemic & other global challenges.

COVID pandemia has seriously affected the way High Education Institutions are delivering training to their students. UPV, that is participating in this project; has been the first University in Spain to close a whole campus due a COVID outbreak. Their 25.000 students have been receiving distance learning classes since early october. But many other Universities in Spain and in Europe are facing similar problems . Supporting teachers and students is crucial in this situation. 95% of HEI in Europe were forced to pivot to distance learning due the first COVID wave, and the number of HEI affected by the second wave increases every day. The project will:Design and develop the training plan and materials to create a virtual hackathon on any topic based on design and system thinking. The theoretical framework will be set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Just Transition.Design and develop an innovative learning platform to facilitate the practical training process of students in virtual technologies and the organization of teams to participate in virtual hackathons.Needs of the target group:Adaptation to distance learning and virtual activities because COVID situation. Collaboration opportunities among students from different countries (in a virtual environment).Promote the SDGs to achieve the goals and a fair society for all. Development of soft skills to improve the employability of students and the acquisition of skills required by the New green deal and towards a more sustainable economy in Europe. Project results: O1. Online training materials on Sustainable Development Goals and Just Transition. 1000 teachers, students and researchers will download or access the curricula from the project webpage.O2. Online platform for the online course and the Virtual Hackathons. 300 participants registered in the platform that are participating in the online course and Virtual Hackathons by the end of the project.