Introduction

We are proud to announce our participation in the BelongVET Project, a pioneering initiative funded by the Erasmus+ KA220-VET program. This collaborative effort brings together leading organizations from across Europe to address equity and inclusion challenges within vocational education and training (VET). The project officially launches on September 1, 2024, and will run until August 31, 2026.

‍

Project Overview

The BelongVET Project is designed to transform how VET institutions support all students. The project draws inspiration from the research of Greg Walton, a renowned social psychologist whose work has revolutionized the understanding of belonging in education.Walton’s research highlights how targeted interventions can dismantle psychological barriers and foster a sense of belonging, leading to improved academic outcomes and reduced dropout rates. By adapting these principles to the European VET context, the BelongVET Project seeks to empower institutions to create inclusive learning environments that enhance student well-being, engagement, and success.

‍

Our Role in Belong

VETAs a key partner in the BelongVET consortium, StudentPulse is excited to contribute our expertise in student well-being and feedback systems. Our role focuses on:

‍

• Developing innovative tools to identify barriers faced by marginalized students.
• Providing insights through micro-surveys to guide effective interventions.
• Supporting the assessment and dissemination of project outcomes to ensure scalability across European VET institutions.

‍

Our extensive experience in collecting and analyzing student feedback positions us to make a significant contribution to the project's success.

‍

Collaborative Vision: Meet Our Partners

The BelongVET Project unites six organizations from five European countries, each bringing unique expertise to the initiative:

‍

• Tradium (Denmark): Project lead with extensive experience in vocational education and managing international collaborations.
• Kehtna Vocational Education Centre (Estonia): Known for its commitment to soft skills development and student engagement.
• Rud videregående skole (Norway): A champion of inclusion with innovative approaches to supporting diverse student populations.
• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat des Pays de la Loire (France): Specialists in integrating disadvantaged learners into vocational training pathways.
• ROC Noorderpoort (Netherlands): A leader in diversity and inclusion initiatives in VET education.
• StudentPulse (Denmark): Experts in data-driven approaches to student well-being and institutional feedback.

‍

This consortium ensures a holistic and innovative approach to addressing inclusion in VET education.

‍

‍

Key Objectives of the BelongVET Project

1. Identifying Barriers to Inclusion: Develop a tailored identification model that uses micro-surveys to uncover the challenges faced by students.

2. Piloting Social Belonging Interventions: Implement interventions across four European VET schools, ensuring strategies are validated and effective.

3. Creating Scalable Resources: Publish a Social Belonging Intervention Playbook with practical tools and guidelines for VET institutions.

4. Promoting Sustainability: Ensure that partner institutions commit to maintaining and expanding these interventions beyond the project’s duration.

‍

Impact and Outcomes

The BelongVET Project aspires to:

‍

• Enhance the sense of belonging for over 150 participating students during the pilot phase.
• Equip VET institutions with evidence-based tools to support marginalized groups.
• Provide a scalable framework that can be adapted across Europe to foster inclusion and diversity.

‍

By integrating Greg Walton’s psychological frameworks with systemic approaches, BelongVET will create a ripple effect that benefits not only students but also the institutions and communities they serve.

‍

Looking Ahead

The BelongVET Project represents a significant step forward in creating equitable and inclusive vocational education environments across Europe. At StudentPulse, we are excited to contribute to this transformative initiative inspired by Greg Walton's research and look forward to sharing progress and insights throughout the journey.Stay tuned for updates as we work together to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.