The consortium, led by Mimma LAB (Italy) in collaboration with Branta Desarrollo (Spain) and Balkan Bridge (Bulgaria), came together to define the strategic direction of a path designed to bridge the gap between European funding opportunities and the management capacities of third-sector organisations.

The Mission: Empowering those who lead change

At the heart of E.L.E.V.A.T.E. is a clear mission: to provide VET trainers with practical and innovative skills to support project managers and financial officers working in small NGOs.
These organisations often struggle to access EU funding due to complex bureaucratic procedures. The project aims to:

• Excellence in training: equip trainers with tools to teach project management, financial reporting, and access to funding calls.
• Innovative methodologies: develop communication strategies that bring NGO staff closer to modern learning methods.
• Strategic networking: strengthen the ability to build international partnerships, which are essential for the internationalisation of small organisations.

A productive and collaborative working day

The Valencia agenda was intense and highly productive.
After a welcome session and the official project presentation by Mimma LAB, the partners actively worked on several key cross-cutting themes:

• Digitalisation and Sustainability: a group workshop helped define strategies to make the project both environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced.
• Management and Responsibilities: Mimma LAB outlined the role of each partner, analysing objectives and expected results to ensure smooth and transparent management.
• Communication and Dissemination: under the guidance of Balkan Bridge, the dissemination strategy was defined to ensure that the project’s results reach as many beneficiaries as possible across Europe.
• Visual Identity: during the afternoon session, the official project logo was selected as a visual symbol of the partners’ shared commitment.

Future perspectives

The Kick-off Meeting concluded with a positive final evaluation and the definition of the next operational steps.
With E.L.E.V.A.T.E., the VET sector once again proves to be a strategic ally for the non-profit world, turning the challenges of European project management into concrete opportunities for growth and social impact.

“We are not only teaching how to manage funds — we are building a bridge between third-sector ideas and the resources needed to bring them to life.”

Project co-funded by the European Union
(Reference: 2025-1-IT01-KA210-VET-000352439)