On 13 May 2025, the Association of Psychologists in Bulgaria, as a member of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, participated in the online EAFA Higher Apprenticeships Community Meeting. During the event, Marina Davidkova presented the organisation’s activities and shared good practices related to the involvement of apprentices, young professionals, and volunteers in international educational initiatives under Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.
The Association of Psychologists in Bulgaria was established in 2008 as a non-profit organisation supporting young people, future professionals, and vulnerable groups. The organisation works actively in the fields of psychology, education, mental health, social inclusion, and professional development, combining formal, non-formal, and community-based educational approaches.
Erasmus+ KA1, № 2025-1-BG01-KA121-ADU-000307560
During the presentation, APB introduced activities implemented under its Erasmus+ KA1 (№ 2025-1-BG01-KA121-ADU-000307560) accreditation, through which the organisation regularly organises international training mobilities for educators, young professionals, and volunteers. Special attention was given to the practice of participants transferring newly acquired knowledge and skills to apprentices and volunteers through mentoring activities and follow-up training sessions.
Particular focus was placed on the “Experiential Psychodrama Training” mobility in Greece, implemented under the same Erasmus+ KA1 project in September 2025. Participants developed competences in psychodrama, facilitation, communication, and experiential learning, and later transferred these innovative methods into local practice through mentoring activities with volunteers and apprentices.
The presentation also highlighted seven training courses organised in Linz, Austria, in September 2025 under an Erasmus+ KA1 project, involving twenty APB members. The courses addressed innovative teaching methods, digital literacy, sustainability, civic education, and reflective practice. After the mobilities, participants continued supporting apprentices and volunteers through mentoring and by facilitating new educational activities within the organisation.
Another mobility activity presented was implemented in Milan, Italy, where three APB educational experts participated in training focused on inclusive education and support for learners with disabilities. The training explored assistive technologies, Universal Design for Learning, and inclusive classroom strategies. The acquired experience contributes to creating more accessible and supportive environments for apprentices, volunteers, and learners with diverse needs.
Among the Erasmus+ KA2 projects presented was project No. 2023-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000151169 “SAFEBOT”. The project focuses on promoting emotional education and wellbeing in schools through the development of a Teachers’ Toolkit and a chatbot providing emotional support. Apprentices have been involved in participant recruitment activities related to assessing school experiences and wellbeing and will later be guided in using the developed tools and digital resources.
The presentation also introduced project No. 2023-1-BG01-KA220-ADU-000160087 “Psychology Literacy for Educators”. The project aims to provide psychosocial support to disadvantaged groups, including migrants, refugees, and vulnerable youth, through early intervention and educational approaches preventing early school dropout and loss of motivation. Apprentices have been involved in filming and editing educational videos focused on supporting children affected by crises and natural disasters and will later work with the MOOC platform, learning programme, and digital assessment tools developed within the project.
Project No. 2024-1-DE02-KA220-ADU-000244701 “Signwell” was also presented during the meeting. The project aims to remove barriers to mental health education for the deaf community by reducing stigma, raising awareness of specific challenges, and empowering participants. Apprentices will be guided in using the interactive e-learning platform, will receive mentoring support related to working with deaf individuals, and will participate in dissemination activities promoting project results.
Another highlighted initiative was project No. CREA-CULT-2024-COOP-101174709 “MPAS – Mental Health Promotion through Art and Social Inclusion”, implemented under the Creative Europe programme. The project emphasises the role of art in preventing mental health challenges among vulnerable youth through art-based methodologies and innovative approaches promoting emotional wellbeing and social connectedness. Apprentices will be trained to use the project’s methodology toolkit and will support artists and professionals in implementing innovative art-based practices.
The participation of the Association of Psychologists in Bulgaria in the EAFA Higher Apprenticeships Community Meeting once again confirmed the organisation’s active role in promoting international cooperation, lifelong learning, and support for apprentices, young professionals, and vulnerable groups through European programmes and innovative educational practices.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
