MIR Foundation at the STREAM IT General assembly in Palermo – Strengthening collaboration for inclusive and innovative STEAM education
Representatives of the Foundation for Management and industrial research, Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska – executive director & Emilija Andonova – programme coordinator took part in the 4th General Assembly of the STREAM IT project, held in the vibrant and historically rich city of Palermo, Italy. The meeting brought together partners from across Europe to reflect on achievements, refine methodologies, and co-create the next phase of impactful actions within the Horizon Europe initiative.
Their engagement throughout the two-day Assembly not only highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to innovation, gender equality, and inclusive education, but also reinforced the importance of regional perspectives and expertise within the consortium.
The opening day was dedicated to a series of insightful discussions and structured sessions covering the core components of the STREAM IT project. Partners participated in:
- Capitalisation and Needs-Based Methodology sessions, focusing on understanding local and regional needs to ensure more relevant and efficient implementation across all countries.
- Working groups on Gender and diversity inclusive tools for hands-on STEAM activities—an approach that resonates strongly with MIR Foundation’s mission to promote gender-responsive innovation environments.
- Reviews of Project Management, synergies, and communication strategies, ensuring transparency, alignment, and coherent direction across all work packages.
The afternoon brought one of the most dynamic components of the Assembly: the interactive “World Café” session. Here, partners circulated among thematic stations, sharing valuable lessons learned, exchanging practical experiences, and refining their contributions.
MIR team played an active role in these discussions, offering perspectives rooted in the Foundation’s hands-on experience with gender equality, inclusive policy development, and capacity building in the Western Balkan region. Their input supported a richer, more varied understanding among partners and contributed to shaping the project’s future actions.
The second day was fully action-oriented and focused on applying insights gathered from previous phases of the project. Activities included:
- A workshop on Gender-sensitive teaching, exploring practical tools and approaches that educators can integrate into their daily practice to foster more inclusive STEAM learning environments.
- A deep look into Impact Assessment, emphasising how to measure both qualitative and quantitative project outcomes at local, regional, and EU levels.
- Co-Designing policy recommendations for european institutions, ensuring that STREAM IT’s results contribute to shaping the next wave of STEAM education policy.
- The engaging Co-creation living lab—a collaborative process where partners worked together on the development of the European Manifesto and Roadmap, defining a strategic vision and forward-looking commitments for the project.
The General Assembly in Palermo was a remarkable combination of strategic reflection, technical advancement, and warm, energetic collaboration. It offered partners the opportunity not only to align on ongoing tasks but also to strengthen the foundations for long-term cooperation.
The MIR Foundation remains dedicated to fostering inclusive, innovative, and gender-responsive STEAM education across Europe. We look forward to continuing our joint work within STREAM IT and contributing to meaningful, sustainable impact. Stay tuned for the exciting developments ahead!
More about the STREAM IT project you can find at the following link: https://streamit-project.eu/
