Schools and local communities unite to celebrate ACT-INCLUSIVE Inclusion Days
Throughout spring 2025, the ACT-INCLUSIVE project partners successfully held a series of Inclusion Days across five countries. Hosted in Cyprus, France, Hungary, Slovenia and Spain, these events marked the culmination of previous work to engage with schools via workshops that raised awareness of inclusive education.
Each Inclusion Day offered a unique local experience, adapted to cultural contexts while raising awareness for inclusive education, empowering students with disabilities, involving entire school communities and promoting inclusive values in education and beyond.
In Cyprus, over 100 participants joined CARDET in a day full of creativity and reflection. Children participated in art workshops and built a “tree of inclusion”, later reading and discussing the ACT-INCLUSIVE comic book. Local policymakers and parents were present, reinforcing the event’s visibility and impact.
In France, LADAPT’s event in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier gathered nearly 150 students and local officials, including a Member of Parliament. Activities ranged from collaborative art projects to inclusive games and musical performances. The awards ceremony for the ACT-INCLUSIVE art contest was a highlight, recognising students’ efforts and sending three winners to the project’s final conference in Brussels.
In Hungary, the ÉTA National Association organised a day that brought together 27 participants from seven schools. Through engaging with the ACT-INCLUSIVE Toolbox, watching performances by persons with disabilities and testing tools like the “Easy-to-Read Checklist”, attendees gained hands-on experience in accessible education practices.
In Slovenia, the ACT-INCLUSIVE Inclusion Day took to the streets. On Prešeren Square in Ljubljana, Center VAL set up a public stand coinciding with World Down Syndrome Day. Passersby, parents, students, and educators engaged with the project’s materials and exchanged reflections on inclusion in schools and society. The open, urban format of the event brought broad visibility and sparked spontaneous dialogue.
In Spain, COGAMI transformed Santiago de Compostela’s schoolyard into a learning path with interactive “train stations” each offering interactive activities on disability awareness. Students navigated obstacle courses in wheelchairs, experienced blindfolded tactile challenges and mimed concepts to understand communication barriers.
Across all events, the ACT-INCLUSIVE's Inclusion Days highlighted the value of combining education with creativity, fun and co-creation. From the Comic book to dance performances, each event demonstrated how inclusive education can be vibrant, participatory, inspiring, and community-driven.
These national events not only showcased the tangible results of months of school-based workshops but also strengthened local partnerhsips among schools, families, authorities and disability organisations.
Soon, ACT-INCLUSIVE project partners will publish the Training and Awareness-raising (TAR) Manual and the Toolbox with a collection of non-formal education activities promoting inclusiveness. So, stay tuned and learn more about the ACT-INCLUSIVE project here.