Out of the Box International is a Network which brings together different actors working on social innovation and advocating for a more creative Europe with a main mission to provide fresh ideas and solutions acting as a catalyst for positive changes across Europe and worldwide. Our main goal is to design innovative social projects to respond to the persistent social and economic challenges in order to empower people’s potential and facilitate their active engagement in society. Out of the Box International have three 4 policy areas: Social Cohesion, Internet, Social Entrepreneurship and European Project and our main target group are young people. In the policy areas, we aim at creating tools and policies in formal education & non-formal learning for a knowledge-based society. We also believe that introduction of an Internet technologies in learning processes is an important aspect in the 21st century. Our activities in the School Education and Adult Learning and NON-FORMAL EDUCATION are related to following topics:
• Creation of the tools connected to validation and certification of competences in VET, Adult Learning and Non-Formal learning;
• Advocacy initiatives and Non-formal education courses on Cross-sector educational policies at the national and European level;
• Building curricula for the studies by building connections and collaboration amongst youth NGOs, Universities, Authorities and Business sector;
• Implementation of the training programmes to empower professionals in adult learning, non-formal learning and VET for better inclusion work;
• Creating a bridges between education and training sector and EU policy makers by providing space and opportunities for Study Visits at EU institutions;
We have learned there is no single or simple answer. Social innovation is the result of tremendously complex social processes, sometimes also environmental conditions, and finally individual contributions. There is no proven road to a quality in innovations, especially in the sport where the policies need cross –sector approach and innovative collaboration with outside actors, especially business sector. Our projects all have a few things in common: they are emerging; involve diverse social actors, and aim at making a real difference in the communities that they target. We don’t create change by doing the same things we’ve always done. By introducing diversity we provoke discovery. Cross-sectoral cooperation works with business sector, policy and advocacy initiatives, production of material and promotional events. The Out of the Box International is led by dedicated team of people committed to work hard, innovate, and network. We have different profile but same desire for educated, innovative and more solidarity in Europe. Related to School Education the organization is working on teachers training, developing extra-curricular activities for schools especially in the field of introducing entrepreneurship in education. Marko Paunovic is educator, moderator, and social entrepreneur with an expertise in non-formal education, fundraising, organizational and project management. He is also active in EU sport, youth, and educational and cross-sector policies. Currently, he works as a Programme Director at the Out of the Box International, International Social Enterprise based in Brussels, Belgium working on social innovations. He is active in the VET since 2004, as a trainer, educator, and finally manager. He fund raised and implemented more then 100 projects funded by Council of Europe and European Commission dedicated to empowerment of young people and VET students combining educational and sport activities. Another member in the team is Antonis Polydorou who has academic background in education and European studies. He has professional experience in teaching for 13 years and monitoring of Youth in Action Programme at the Ministry of Education of Cyprus for 2 years. He has long standing experience as a youth worker in several organizations and participated in organization of various seminars, exchanges and trainings for youth and education in Cyprus and abroad. Antonis is a member of the Board of European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC) 2012-2014 and a co-founder of NGO KEY dealing with community development and lifelong learning and Board member of Out of the Box International with focus on education policies.