Partnership
CIRENA is implemented by a transnational partnership of universities, civil society organisations, research networks, and European-level actors, bringing together complementary expertise in citizen participation, democratic engagement, research, and communication.
Panepistimio Aigaiou (University of the Aegean) – Greece (Coordinator)
Founded in 1984, the University of the Aegean represents a distinctive moment in the history of Greek higher education. Its establishment is widely regarded as a re-articulation of the vision of the eminent Greek mathematician Konstantinos Karatheodori, who had proposed the creation of an Ionic University grounded in the idea of Greece as a cultural and intellectual mediator between the Slavic and Turkish-Arab worlds and Western Europe. Today, the University of the Aegean combines this historical legacy with strong academic and research expertise in European integration, democratic governance, and social policy. As coordinator of CIRENA, it ensures scientific quality, methodological coherence, and effective coordination across the partnership.
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PYLON ONE – Greece
PYLON ONE is a non-profit organisation based in Thessaloniki, working across education, social inclusion, civic engagement, and sustainability. Its activities focus on non-formal learning, training, and community-based initiatives that support people with fewer opportunities, including youth, persons with disabilities, migrants, and disadvantaged groups. In CIRENA, Pylon One contributes expertise in citizen engagement, training delivery, and participatory action at community level.
Social Innovation and Cohesion Institute (Fifty-Fifty) – Greece
The Social Innovation and Cohesion Institute (Fifty-Fifty) was founded in 2015 and is a civil society organisation promoting lifelong learning, social innovation, and civic participation through non-formal education. Its work spans human rights, intercultural dialogue, volunteering, digital skills, and equal learning opportunities. Within CIRENA, Fifty-Fifty supports participatory methodologies, capacity-building activities, and communication actions.
Stowarzyszenie Ludzi Aktywnych – Poland
Active People Association was established in 2006 with the aim of encouraging an active, safe, and socially engaged lifestyle among young people. Its work focuses on developing interests and skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering understanding of the European Union, while offering meaningful alternatives for youth engagement and informal learning.
Through its activities, the association supports social participation, volunteering, and attitudes of tolerance, creating opportunities for young people to integrate, exchange experiences, and contribute to their local communities. Over time, the organisation has expanded its focus to include skills development relevant to the labour market, strengthened international cooperation with NGOs across Europe, and collaboration with trainers and coaches delivering professional trainings and workshops.
Comparative Research Network e.V. – Germany
Founded in 2007, the Comparative Research Network (CRN) works in the fields of adult education and research. The organisation specialises in training activities focused on intercultural competences, intergenerational learning, mobility, and migration.
Based in Berlin, CRN also has strong expertise in the design and implementation of evaluation and dissemination processes. Since its establishment, the network has been actively involved in European, national, and local programmes, including Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and REC.
Social Juicestice – Denmark
Social Juicestice is a civil society organisation focused on social justice, inclusion, and democratic participation. It is located in Aarhuus. Within the partnership, it supports community engagement and participatory practices linked to equality and rights-based approaches.
European Association for Viewers’ Interests (EAVI) – Belgium
EAVI is an international non-profit organisation based in Brussels, dedicated to promoting media literacy and full citizenship at European level. Since its foundation in 2005 with the support of the European Commission, EAVI has been a leading actor in media literacy research, policy, and practice.
The organisation works to equip citizens with the skills needed to critically engage with media and navigate the digital information environment responsibly. Its activities combine research, policy engagement, educational initiatives, and cooperation with EU institutions. EAVI has conducted large-scale EU-wide media literacy research, participated in and coordinated numerous EU-funded projects, and contributed to major European and international policy forums. Through its work, EAVI supports democratic participation, counters disinformation, and promotes informed civic engagement across Europe.
Integration For Alla – Sweden
Integration For Alla (IFALL) is a volunteer-based organisation located in southern Sweden. Its core objective is to promote integration across cultures and to counteract exclusion and violence rooted in cultural misunderstanding, both in Sweden and beyond.
IFALL understands culture in broad and inclusive terms, encompassing individuals of different ages, genders, backgrounds, beliefs, professions, and identities. Based on this approach, the organisation works not only with refugee integration but with intercultural coexistence at multiple levels of society. Through its activities, IFALL supports dialogue, mutual respect, and inclusive community life.