Building the Foundations for Successful Project Implementation
Work Package 1 lays the foundation for the implementation of the PROVE project. During this initial phase, the partnership establishes the structures, teams and evidence base needed to successfully introduce Values and Knowledge Education (VaKE) within the participating South Caucasian higher education institutions.
A key activity of WP1 is the establishment of dedicated working teams at the partner universities. These teams focus on different dimensions of the project, including training and support, development of common and university-specific courses, teacher-training methodology, the application of VaKE during student internships, in-service teacher education and community-oriented activities. This structure ensures that responsibilities are clearly distributed and that the subsequent development activities are supported by appropriate expertise.
Another important component is the needs assessment. Through questionnaires, data analysis and stakeholder focus groups, the project examines existing approaches to teaching, values education, value priorities and important societal issues. The findings help the participating universities adapt the project activities and future courses to their institutional and national contexts.
WP1 also includes the project kick-off meeting, bringing all partners together to establish a common understanding of PROVE, VaKE, project management, collaboration and the strategies to be used for developing, implementing and evaluating the new educational activities.
Through these activities, WP1 creates the organizational and academic foundation for the project and strengthens collaboration between South Caucasian and European partners from the very beginning.
Turning VaKE into Educational Practice
Work Package 2 represents the core educational component of PROVE. Its purpose is to strengthen the capacity of university teaching staff to develop, implement and evaluate
courses using Values and Knowledge Education (VaKE), with particular attention to values and peace education. It also aims to extend cooperation between universities and their
communities.
Capacity building begins through study visits to European partner institutions and training activities for academic staff. Participants gain first-hand experience of values education, innovative teaching approaches, course development and evaluation. This knowledge is then multiplied within the South Caucasian universities through in-house training for academic staff.
Building on this preparation, university lecturers develop VaKE-based courses for pre-service teachers, including a common course and university-specific courses addressing
values education and socially relevant issues. The courses are implemented with students and supported through counselling and supervision by experienced VaKE experts. Their
implementation is systematically evaluated using a combination of process and outcome-oriented assessment methods.
The impact extends beyond university classrooms. Pre-service teachers apply VaKE during their school internships, while universities also develop and implement training for in-service teachers. In addition, community actions enable students and teachers to use their knowledge and skills to address peace education and other socially relevant topics in cooperation with local communities.
WP2 therefore transforms the principles of PROVE into concrete teaching, learning and community practices with the potential for impact well beyond the project itself.
Ensuring Quality, Monitoring Progress and Supporting Continuous Improvement
Work Package 3 ensures that PROVE activities are implemented according to high quality standards and that project experiences are systematically used for improvement. Quality assurance is integrated throughout the project rather than being treated only as a final
evaluation exercise.
The WP begins with the development of a comprehensive Quality Management Plan and appropriate assessment tools. These instruments provide a common framework for monitoring the different stages and activities of PROVE and enable the consortium to identify strengths, challenges and areas requiring further improvement.
Internal quality assurance covers consortium meetings, project implementation, achievement of objectives, compliance with EU requirements, the Grant Agreement and consortium decisions. It also pays attention to communication and cooperation among partners, reflecting the principles of VaKE itself: constructive dialogue, respect, focus on arguments and consensual decision-making. Field monitoring visits provide an additional opportunity to review implementation directly within the partner institutions.
Quality management in PROVE is closely linked to continuous development. Information gathered through monitoring and evaluation is intended not simply to document activities but to help partners improve them while implementation is still underway.
The process is complemented by external evaluation/audit, providing an independent perspective on project implementation and the introduction of the new courses. The main outputs include the Quality Management Plan, quality management reports and an external audit report.
Through this systematic approach, WP3 helps ensure that PROVE achieves its objectives effectively, transparently and sustainably.
Sharing PROVE Results and Extending Their Impact
Work Package 4 ensures that the knowledge, educational resources, experiences and results generated by PROVE reach audiences beyond the immediate project consortium. Its objective is to disseminate the developed courses and VaKE principles both within participating universities and among other higher education institutions, schools, research centres, NGOs, student organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
A dedicated Dissemination and Exploitation Plan guides communication throughout the project. PROVE's website and online presence provide access to project information,
activities and results, while educational and promotional materials make the project's approaches and achievements available to wider audiences.
Particular attention is given to sharing practical experience. Training materials and publications incorporate lessons learned and examples of good practice from the
implementation of VaKE. Communication activities also include articles, media appearances, workshops, national meetings and engagement with practitioners and non-academic
stakeholders.
The project also promotes academic dissemination. Project members contribute to scientific publications and participate in international conferences, connecting PROVE's work with wider academic and professional discussions on values education, peace education and innovative teaching and learning.
Through its multilingual online platform and publications, PROVE aims to make developed materials accessible in English and relevant national languages. WP4 therefore plays a central role in increasing the visibility of the project, encouraging the wider use of its results and extending its impact beyond the participating institutions.
Coordinating the Partnership and Ensuring Effective Project Delivery
Work Package 5 provides the overall administrative, financial and organizational framework for PROVE and is led by Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University (TeSaU). It ensures that the different components of the project operate as one coordinated initiative and that partners work effectively toward the common objectives.
The WP covers day-to-day project coordination, administrative and financial management, communication with Erasmus+ authorities, compliance with program requirements, allocation and monitoring of resources, coordination across Work Packages, and timely preparation of reports and deliverables. A Steering Committee supports decision-making and helps maintain effective cooperation across the consortium.
Partnership and international cooperation are also important dimensions of WP5. Consortium meetings in Georgia and European partner countries provide opportunities to review progress, make joint decisions and exchange expertise. Study visits in Austria and Greece expose South Caucasian partners to European experience in course development, quality assurance and related educational practices. National meetings complement these activities by enabling partner universities to discuss course development, implementation and community actions within their respective national contexts.
WP5 also facilitates direct interaction among students through dedicated meetings focused on planning and sharing community actions. The project culminates in an international final conference in Georgia, where partners, researchers and educators present project results, educational practices and experiences related to values and peace education. Through strong coordination, transparent management and continuous communication, WP5 keeps PROVE's academic, institutional and societal activities connected and moving toward their shared goals.