Following a public call for applications issued in June, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation announces its funding of 21 innovative educational activities in 24 nursery and primary schools in Central Greece, Western Greece, the Peloponnese and Crete for the school year 2015-2016. Some of the schools to receive funding have been classified as inaccessible by the Ministry of Education; in many of those schools, pupils come from socially and economically vulnerable backgrounds (schools with Roma or migrant pupils, schools with integration classes and special schools). This year, the programme received 149 funding applications.

Priority was given to programmes that make use of experiential learning in order to enhance student activation and exploratory learning. In the framework of the educational programmes. students will engage with the arts, sciences and local cultural richness, learn about and gain a better understanding of the past and explore current social issues such as the sustainability of the natural environment and the refugee issue. At the same time, emphasis was placed on programmes that use school infrastructure and new technologies in alternative educational ways, integrating as many subjects as possible.

This year’s selection complements and reinforces the 34 school activities already funded and completed in island regions and areas of the northern border prefectures, which are available here. The new activities will give 1073 primary and nursery school pupils the opportunity to build on their existing experience and gain additional knowledge and skills.

The table of approved proposals is available here.