2025
Content
The Other Side of the Moon: Celebrating the First Anniversary of the Sheltered Employment Project
Exploring the Past and Sustainability: A Visit to Hessenpark with the GINA Project
Learning languages, spreading joy
GINA Project: Meeting in Athens
GINA Project: Medis 5 Shares a Textile Recycling Tutorial
When Art Speaks All Languages: The Story of "Different Sounds"
9th International Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders Congress
Different Sounds – Final Event and book release in Sweden
Full house at the IB music workshop, Different Sounds
The Little Bird’s Big Courage
Enhancing Inclusive Mobility: Insights from the PR.I.M.E. Project
Early Intervention Project Wins Award in Social Cohesion Category
The Other Side of the Moon: Celebrating the First Anniversary of the Sheltered Employment Project
09 May 2025
At the end of April, the sheltered employment project Kita Mėnulio pusė (The Other Side of the Moon), implemented by the Centre of Social Change Makers (PsPc) in Panevėžys, Lithuania, celebrated its first anniversary. It was more than just a celebration – it marked a meaningful milestone in a journey where people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities have developed new skills, discovered their strengths, and engaged in purposeful activities.
The mission of "Kita Mėnulio pusė" is to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the open labour market. Participants strengthen both general and specific work-related skills through meaningful tasks that result in real products or services. This service is aimed at people over the age of 18 who, due to disability-related reasons, are unable to access the open labour market or supported employment.
The first year clearly demonstrated the value and impact of this initiative. While people with disabilities have often been involved in artistic or recreational activities, these workshops focus on developing real, practical work skills. Each participant contributes to the production process, fulfills orders, or creates unique items for sale. This not only builds self-worth and independence but also offers the possibility of future employment.
The workshop offers a variety of activities. In the work studio, participants complete real orders from businesses, such as sorting, folding, or packing products. They also create functional ceramic, table décor, and handmade jewellery items, which are sold in both physical and online stores. In the education space, people with disabilities provide educational sessions for children, youth, and adults – helping to shift public attitudes towards disability.
In the heart of the city, the Solidari Kava (Solidarity Coffee) space welcomes visitors to enjoy a cup of exceptional coffee, meet people with disabilities, engage in meaningful conversations, and challenge their own assumptions. It’s a place where community meets inclusion.
The birthday celebration lasted two days. On the first day, the "Solidari kava" hosted an open community event where visitors could purchase handmade products, learn more about the workshop, and share warm conversations. The second day ended with a lively party at a nightclub, filled with music, laughter, and heartfelt greetings.
This anniversary was not just about marking a date – it was a celebration of progress, inclusion, and shared humanity. It reminded us all that people with disabilities are creative, capable, and eager to contribute to society.
Thank you to everyone who has been with us on this journey. These are just the first steps toward "Kita Mėnulio pusė" – and there’s so much more to come.
Eglė Gudžinskienė, PsPc, Lithuania
Exploring the Past and Sustainability: A Visit to Hessenpark with the GINA Project
09 May 2025
On a bright sunny day, some IB clients and staff visited Hessenpark, where life in former times is presented and where Benedikt is working.
He was very proud to present to his friends how houses were constructed by manpower only and how life was before electricity was available for every household.
The participants were very impressed, and Benedikt explained from his experience in the GINA project that he gained knowledge, that the daily tasks for the families took longer, but were more sustainable and did not harm our climate.
The visitors were impressed to see the old pharmacy, the school building, or the grocery store. And of course of the "modern" telecommunication museum where some of the youngsters touched a cable telephone for the first time in their lives...
Christine Halas, IB, Germany
Learning languages, spreading joy
08 May 2025
Caravan 2000’s Joy-Bringer Ulf Lennman is now diving into European languages as he prepares for an upcoming international meeting!
Recognized during the 25th Anniversary of the Caravan 2000 Network for his remarkable ability to spread joy and positivity, Ulf is now showing how important it is to connect through language.
Even learning a few phrases in someone else’s language helps build bridges, fosters inclusion, and makes collaboration more meaningful. In a network that thrives on learning from one another, communication is key!
We’re cheering you on, Ulf — and looking forward to hearing your warm words in many languages!
Katarina Nord, Mats Erikson, Medis5, Sweden
GINA Project: Meeting in Athens
28 April 2025
ESTIA had the pleasure and honor of hosting the transnational partners of the Erasmus+ project GINA – Green INclusive Academy (2023-1-DE02-KA220-ADU-000151789) in Athens for a week of creative exchange, learning, and collaboration.
The GINA project brings together organizations from Germany, Italy, France, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and Greece, united by a shared mission: to promote environmental education and sustainability through inclusive and participatory approaches.
During the meeting, held at ESTIA’s facilities, partners engaged in in-depth discussions and collaborative work on the project’s key output—an accessible e-book co-created by and for people with disabilities. This educational tool focuses on sustainable development and aims to raise environmental awareness while ensuring inclusivity at every stage.
The program also included a visit to the Ecological Park in Neo Psychico, where participants explored the local flora and gained inspiration from the park’s green, community-oriented design. The meeting highlighted GINA’s core goal: to empower people with disabilities to actively engage with environmental challenges and foster accessible, sustainable learning across Europe.
Maria Moskofidou, ESTIA, Greece
When Art Speaks All Languages: The Story of "Different Sounds"
2 April 2025
The "Different Sounds" project was carried out by three organizations from Poland (PSONI branch in Gdańsk), Sweden (Medis 5), and Germany (IB). All organizations worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities. The project resulted in four intellectual outputs: a printed book, an e-book, a multimedia e-book, and an animated film. The stories, texts, photos, images, and music used in the publications were created by artists supported by the partner organizations. Through discussions and the creative writing process, the authors developed four stories covering the following themes: the right for everyone to be an artist, respect for diversity, and alternative communication.
You can see the “Different Sounds” animated book here:
https://differentsoundsproject.com/multimedia-book-english/
Animation “Vase who wanted to sign opera” is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zosUMiD0s
The project also included music, painting, and graphic workshops. All partners engaged three music bands: Remont Pomp from Poland, Sprak Orchestra from Sweden, and IBies from Germany. These international bands joined forces to create a large group called the "Different Sounds" Orchestra. The musicians performed six concerts across three countries. In Poland, saxophonist Mikołaj Trzaska was invited to perform, while in Sweden, Mathias Danielsson played the pedal steel guitar. The concerts in Poland and Sweden were recorded and are available on streaming platforms, Bandcamp, and in CD format.
Importantly, individuals with disabilities played a key role in the creation of the book/e-book and animated film, with appropriate support from educators. The story, plot, interviews, graphics, music, and photos were all created by them and then professionally prepared for publication.
The "Different Sounds" e-book has been translated into four languages: Polish, Swedish, German, and English. The limited-edition printed book will be available in three languages: Polish, Swedish, and German. Free copies of the "Different Sounds" book will be available at the meeting.
For more information about the project, visit:
www.differentsoundsproject.com
www.facebook.com/LeadingMyOwnLife
The project was funded by the European Union.
Jarek Marciszewski, PSONI, Poland
9th International Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders Congress
21 March 2025
Spastic Children’s Foundation of Turkey (SCFT) hosted the 9th International Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders Congress, held between February 22 and 24. Organized under the theme “Evolving Times, Advancing Collaborations,” the event became a hub for distinguished medical professionals, experts, and families.
The Congress offered insightful sessions tailored to families, where caregivers' questions were addressed. Medical professionals also shared critical guidance on disaster preparedness and rehabilitation during crises. Moreover, SCFT shared the impactful work initiated in Hatay earthquake zone, showing commitment to sustainable support in affected regions.
Under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Semih Ayta, the Congress took place in virtual sessions, and was preceded by expert-led workshops at the Metin Sabancı Center. The event featured multidisciplinary panels covering pediatric neurology, genetics, child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology, speech and language development, special education, audiology, physiotherapy, and orthopedic approaches during emergencies. With over 350 attendees, the Congress provided a platform for diverse perspectives and exchange of knowledge.
This year’s Congress was further elevated by the participation of esteemed international speakers, including Christopher Newman, Haluk Altıok, Heidi M. Feldman, Jozef Gecz, M. Kathleen Kelly, Reinald Brunner, Sarah Reedman, and Suken Shah. Their contributions enriched the academic discussions and left an indelible mark on all participants.
By combining comprehensive expertise with an inclusive approach, SCFT highlighted its role as an advocate for individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disorders.
Deniz Zerin, Spastic Children’s Foundation of Turkey, Turkey
Different Sounds – Final Event and book release in Sweden
06 March 2025
The Different Sounds project brought together three organizations from Poland (PSONI, Gdańsk), Sweden (Medis 5 & Sensus, Stockholm), and Germany (IB, Oberursel).
At the final event in Sweden, we presented the results of the project — including releasing an e-book, a concert with SPRAK Orchestra, and the premiere screening of the animated film The Vase, who wanted to sing opera, which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zosUMiD0s
Also have a look at the e-book produced https://differentsoundsproject.com/
Different Sounds was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme under Action 2: Strategic Partnerships.
Katarina Nord, Medis 5, Sweden
Full house at the IB music workshop Different Sounds
06 March 2025
30 music enthusiasts met in the bistro of the Oberurseler Werkstätten to make music together at the multiplier event at the end of the Different Sounds project. The concerts in June 2024 in Oberursel and Bad Homburg were so well remembered by the audience that the workshop was fully booked in no time. Uwe Nussbaum, project participant and author of German history, briefly explained the project and showed photos of the stops in Gdansk / Poland and Stockholm / Sweden. The project combined music, literature and painting, and the result was a fantastic book (also available as an e-book at https://differentsoundsproject.com/multimedia-book-deutsch/) and an animated film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2W1CFZ_ZqY ), which was also shown to start the day. With their musical talent, Martina Ständer and Ute Günther brought the various drums, rattles, xylophones and tambourines together so harmoniously within a very short time that a little song was created. The aim of the workshop, to make the project content widely known, was fully achieved. At the end, each participant received a Different Sounds book as a gift, not just as a souvenir, but so that they can act as a multiplier for the project themes of respect and inclusion.
Christine Halas, IB, Germany
The Little Bird’s Big Courage
07 February 2025
Medis 5 shares an inspiring story about the great courage of a little hummingbird. This fable reminds us that even the smallest actions can make a big difference, and by working together, we can overcome the greatest challenges. Read on and be inspired to create change!
Sam tells us more:
There is a big fire in the forest.
There is this little bird who tries to put out the fire.
She takes small drop of water from the river and drops it on the fire.
Over and over again.
The other animals is laughing at her.
"You are to small! That will not help at all!"
But the little kolibri just continues and says:
- I'm doing the best I can, she says.
- She is right, says the elphant and starts to spray water with his trunk.
Yes, she is right, says the pelican and is water bombing the fire.
Soon all the animals is running back and forth between the river and the fire.
After many hours the fire is out
The animals of the forest gathers.
They are very tired,
some a bit wounded.
- At least I didn't turn into a fried chicken, the peacock said watching her smoking feathers.
- Together we are strong
Marita Jonols, Medis 5, Sweden
Enhancing Inclusive Mobility: Insights from the PR.I.M.E. Project
05 February 2025
CARAVAN2000 is an Associated Partner of a project that counts on four members of the network within the partnership.
‘PR.I.M.E. – PRomoting Inclusive Mobility Experiences’ is a KA2 VET project coordinated by social cooperative Kara Bobowski from Italy with other 6 European Partners, from which also ESTIA from Greece, PSPC from Lithuania and PSONI from Poland.
The goal of the project is to increase the quality in mobility experiences for people with intellectual disabilities, by developing tools and the competencies on project staff implementing these projects.
As a first step, the partnership did research within organizations to understand their needs and difficulties when implementing inclusive mobilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
The result is a ‘Needs Analysis Report’ that will be useful to better tailor the other outputs of the project: a handbook with tools and tips on how to manage and implement these specific projects, digital and innovative support tools for the preparation of participants and support their learning process, official documents in easy-to-read and a platform that will collect everything.
We are glad to share the results of the needs analysis with the wide public.
Susana Alves, Cooperativa sociale Kara Bobowski, Italy
Early Intervention Project Wins Award in Social Cohesion Category
02 January 2025
The Spastic Children's Foundation of Turkey achieved significant recognition at the Joint Futures Award Ceremony organized by the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK) on Wednesday, December 4th, in Ankara. The "Northern Stars" project, carried out in collaboration with AbbVie Turkey, was honored in the "Social Cohesion" category. This project has been ongoing since 2018, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and rehabilitation in disability cases to provide societal benefits.
The "Northern Stars" project is a social responsibility initiative aimed at early detection of Cerebral Palsy or other developmental disorders in children within the 0-3 age group who are at risk. It supports these children in accessing the special education and rehabilitation services they need throughout their lives and, most importantly, helps them integrate into social life. The project aims to ensure that children with Cerebral Palsy, like all other children, can participate in social life and achieve their dreams with the right support.
Within the scope of the project, babies at risk of Cerebral Palsy and those who need developmental follow-up, as well as families in financial difficulty, receive support throughout the year from a team of physiotherapists, child development specialists, neurologists, and psychologists through a transdisciplinary approach. In this context, a total of 5,640 sessions of service have been provided to 151 babies.
Deniz Zerin, Spastic Children’s Foundation of Turkey, Turkey
