poΙDcast BUDDIES
Strengthen inclusion of people with Intellectual disability through pairing podcasting with volunteers on environmental issues
Best Buddies Greece, established in 2016, is dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (pwIDD). Their initiatives foster 1-to-1 friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development. Through programs like the Ambassador-Leadership development and integrated employment, they empower participants to secure jobs, improve public speaking, and live independently. Additionally, they organize events and advocate for the inclusion, education, and empowerment of pwIDD. Their “1-to-1 friendships” program creates social mentoring opportunities, while the Ambassador-Leadership development program educates individuals to become advocates and leaders. Best Buddies Greece serves adults aged 18-40 with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, providing learning opportunities for both pwIDD and volunteers without IDD, focusing on inclusion and raising awareness within the community. Through their partnership with various organizations, they engage members in environmental awareness activities, expanding their impact beyond social inclusion to environmental advocacy.
CHALLEDU – inclusion | games | education is a non-profit organization that pioneers new models of learning, inclusion and engagement. CHALLEDU is one of the leading R&D experts in game-solutions for education and inclusion. Our team designs and implements playful experiences, games, formal and non-formal educational programs, tools, platforms and applications based on cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary approaches. We focus on 2 main sectors:
SOCIAL INCLUSION : The projects in this sector focus on inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, people with health problems (i.e. dementia), older people, NEETs. The aims are: social inclusion, improved employability, development of skills and competencies, advocacy. The emphasis is given to create environments where people with different abilities, cultural backgrounds and skills, and different generations can interact with each other. The approaches in this sector involve non-formal and informal education, living labs, open co-creative workshops, game-based tools, and cross-sectoral approaches.
EDUCATION AND INNOVATION We see education as a driver for positive societal, environmental, and innovative change. The projects developed in this sector focus on the promotion of entrepreneurship, STE(A)M education, civic and active citizenship, environmental challenges and agriculture, culture, and sustainable development. Our target groups include young people, adults, students, trainers and educators, professionals and institutions. Our approach encompasses forms of non-formal and informal education, game-based methodologies, role-model methodology, open-learning and digital tools, gamification, as well as cross-sectoral approaches.
Website: challedu.com
The CHANCE Association is a non-govermental organisation, established in 1996 and currently has 70 members. The main goal of the association is to work for improving the quality and living conditions of children and persons with intellectual and physical disabilities, using all means to develop their potential and for a positive change in society’s attitude towards these persons and their integration into society. The association provides support to its members in the implementation of their activities for people with intellectual disabilities and their families by providing information, expert and methodological advice, funding and support for the implementation of projects. It also supports the opening and development of community-based social services for people with intellectual disabilities, early intervention, inclusive education and supported employment. The CHANCE association is a member of the European Association of Service Providers for People with Disabilities (EASPD), The European Association of Societies of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families (Inclusion Europe) and the International Network of people with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families (Inclusion International)
Website: https://chance-bg.org/