Project overview
The idea of FENCE derives from the discussion around gender stereotyping which limits the development of the natural talents and abilities of women and men, as well as their educational and professional experiences and life opportunities in general. Stereotypes and bias about gender can cause unequal and unfair treatment and cause personal or social perception and reflections concerning for example personality traits, domestic behaviors, occupation and physical appearance; with all the discrimination and inequality they can cause against women, this realty demands for continuous and coordinated actions and training tools as a process to make different key-actors ‘gender empowered’ and ‘gender sensitive’.
The project addresses empowerment and capacity building actions for individuals, primarily public staff in local authorities and public bodies, social affairs services, and NGOs and CSOs members, leaders, representatives working in the field of gender equality or human rights promotion.
The project FENCE- Fighting gENder bias and Contributing to gender Equity – is financed by the European Commission, through funds granted by the National Erasmus + Education and Training Key Action 2 (KA2) programme – Co-operation for innovation and the exchange of good practices (Strategic Partnerships for Adult Education) with reference number 2019-1-UK01-KA204-061999.
Objectives
FENCE’s main objectives are:
To make specific key actors (individuals) empowered in fighting gender bias through raising of awareness of gender equality issues, gender competence building, the promotion of gender equality goals; these individuals belong to amongst both men and women.
To create and deliver innovative products and training tools- as tailored learning resources – based on differentiation methodologies and adult education approaches, and
To empower them by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by ICT and digitizing the quality of learning content.
Outcomes
The Review Paper
The “Review Paper” belongs to the foundation phase of the project and it will be the result of research conducted in the participating countries. This IO1 will include information regarding the best practices in projects oriented at fighting gender bias; research into the training/learning needs of the participants, the context of their attitudes and perceptions, background, expectations, as well as their prior knowledge in terms of gender equality promotion. The Review Paper will be based on qualitative research by the partner’s organisations.
The FENCE Curriculum
This output is the core output of the project: it is based on the fact that beyond any policies taken at the national or European level, it is the local context, the local people who should actively be engaged in procedures to transfer gender equality practices into local communities
Thus, the FENCE Curriculum through a totally new methodology and structure will educate the participants on gender equality and fighting gender bias, based on their knowledge, experience, and needs. For this purpose, the essential context for the effective training of the target groups will be built.
The Digital Toolbox and Resources
The ‘FENCE ’consortium will design, create, and implement technological outputs corresponding to the innovative character of the whole venture. The Digital Toolbox and resources include the online platform and the mobile application, which will be used both as a virtual learning environment and as a means of disseminating the project.
Through these digital contexts and components, interested parties will be able to contact the partners, track the progress of the project and get information on upcoming events and seminars in the context of the project. Through the e-learning section, users will be able to access the full range of training materials produced by the FENCE team, including the online modules and the curriculum resources.
The Methodological Guide
The Methodological Guide will give the essential context and support to adult educators for the best exploitation of the FENCE products, tools and materials. Its main aim is to provide specific guidelines to the project’s stakeholders on how to integrate the training package in their activities and how to utilise it in adult educational, and in relation to their trainees potential and needs.
The Guide will include the usage principles for the curriculum, resources and digital tools , the pedagogical guidelines and case study ideas. It will also include directions for the educators on how to create an adequate and appropriate learning environment for individuals being educated and trained through the digitization of the procedures, including the axes of coaching, mentoring, differentiated pedagogy for the trainers.
The Policy Book
The Policy Book aims to present and disseminate widely the results achieved during the project, making all interested parties aware of gender equality issues, the fight against
gender stereotypes, promotion of equality and how to address the challenges in policy making at national and EU level.
In general, the Book will include detailed description of the evidence, conclusions, and guidelines for further research and renewal of existing practices regarding gender equality. It will also incorporate significant additional scientific papers of external experts and peers, working within the field, and promote relative policy recommendations and scenarios for EU policy makers.
Thus, the FENCE Curriculum through a totally new methodology and structure will educate the participants on gender equality and fighting gender bias, based on their knowledge, experience, and needs. For this purpose, the essential context for the effective training of the target groups will be built.