Social Start Ups : the project
Social Start Ups is a project funded by EU , under the Erasmus + KA2 Programme , leaded by the Italian NGO Tamat , that will be developed together with University of Plymouth ( UK ), Parco Tecnologico 3-A ( Italy ), Municipality of Verteneglio ( Croatia ), Amsed ( France ) and University of East Anglia ( UK ).
The goal of the project is to develop , test and validate a learning methodology for adult learners by experimenting the Ethical Purchasing Groups ( GAS ) as real laboratories for the acquisition of key competences . Social Start Ups ’ methodology follows a " learning by doing " approach , which includes the direct involvement of adults / participants in the Ethical Purchasing Groups start-up and management ’ s activities .
The project also aims to define , through a participatory approach , a sustainable model of E . P . G . that meets producers ’ and , at the same time , consumers ’ needs . The partners , Parco Tecnologico 3-A , University of Plymouth and University of East Anglia , will contribute to the definition of this model and to ensure adequate technical support to the experimenting phase that will be conducted by Tamat , Amsed and the Municipality of Verteneglio respectively in Italy , France and Croatia .
The identification of this model will be achieved through a series of meetings , discussions and analysis of the current contexts . The first phase of the project concerns a mapping activity of EPGs and small local producers and a qualitative survey aimed to analyse the current state , the mechanisms , strengths and weaknesses points that characterize this type of system . In order to achieve this goal , Tamat , Amsed and Municipality of Verteneglio will organize a series of focus groups including members of the GAS , local producers , people interested in taking part in the experimentation phase , members of other associations interested to the topics covered by the project Social Start Ups . These activities will contribute to the creation of an interactive map , shared through the project ’ s website , and a network of EU EPGs and small producers .
After this " preparatory " stage Tamat , Amsed Verteneglio and will start the experimentation directly involving participants in the activities of start-up and management of EPGs . This phase will begin in December 2015 and will last about one year .
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