EDU+ Forum

In 2019, the event was hosted at Tekwill Chișinău, where participants exchanged methodological insights, explored trends in education, and identified ways to integrate non-formal methods into formal institutions. Here is what the participating teachers had to say:

“I saw that there are many knowledgeable and passionate teachers who care deeply about the educational process. And it’s great that there’s a platform for exchanging experiences, opinions, and techniques, and for being sincere and authentic.”

“I liked the overall atmosphere of cooperation and the professionalism of the organizers and facilitators. I was impressed by the teamwork and the fact that we had the freedom to choose our groups and topics. I enjoyed the educational fair, the methods, and the resources made available to us.”

In 2020, the pandemic shifted education online, and we wanted to bring the spirit of non-formal education and participation to our Zoom workshops. The team of facilitators at EcoVisio embarked on an intensive learning process through trial and error, drawing also on the expertise of other educators who had been enthusiastically navigating the online space even before COVID.

So, in August 2020, the EDU+ Forum brought together nearly 100 educators online, from both Moldova and Romania, to explore social entrepreneurship on the first day and online education tools on the second day.

“I realized that technology can be a valuable tool for education and training if used correctly and creatively”

“...Let’s be more understanding with students, because online education is new not only for teachers but for students as well”

On December 5 of that same year, we returned with the second online edition of the Forum, where we explored what learning through educational games might look like online, how explainer videos can be successfully used in environmental topics, and what kinds of online tools and platforms are available to make the online experience more engaging and interactive.

In 2022, we returned with in-person events, and the Forum visited Aristotel High School. Participants explored educational theories, methods, and tools designed to make teaching as sustainable a process as possible for everyone involved: teachers and students alike. We played, talked, drew, listened, practiced non-formal methods, and reflected on various practices.

“Active-participatory methods. There was no room for boredom.”

“It was helpful to remind myself once again that everyone learns differently and has their own pace, and I’m very glad that more educators heard this and will improve their work in schools.”

In 2024, the event was hosted by Heritage International High School, where the group explored environmental education through participatory methods and tools. Teachers, along with youth workers, tested the Keep Cool method, the Amazon Rainforest activity, and others, and received the “At the Waste Limit” course as a tool for working with students.

A common thread running through everything we did at the forum was the importance of reflection in environmental education—every practical activity requires reflection and guided discussion for the experience to become truly educational.

“The topics were precise and timely, but there was also room for participants’ specific interests in the field. Reflection is always valuable for learning from experience.”

“I consolidated my existing knowledge and was inspired for future projects.”

The last two editions of the forum were each followed by an advanced training session designed to support the learning process of the teachers who had explored the forum’s theme in depth and put what they had learned into practice. Both training sessions focused on developing the skills needed to implement participatory education.