Training for newcomers ‘Developing leadership potential in schools – tools and opportunities offered by the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme’ (21.02.2026, Cherkasy)
On February 21, 2026, the team from the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine, in cooperation with the National eTwinning Support Office – Ukraine, took part in organising and delivering the training for newcomers ‘Developing leadership potential in schools – tools and opportunities offered by the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme’ in Cherkasy.
The event brought together over 40 educators from eight general secondary education institutions of Cherkasy, including school leaders and teachers from leading гимnasiums, lyceums, and specialised schools of the city.
Participants represented the First City Gymnasium of Cherkasy City Council, Cherkasy Specialised School No. 3, Cherkasy Scientific Physics and Mathematics Lyceum “FIMLI”, Cherkasy Gymnasium No. 31, Cherkasy Specialised School No. 28 named after Taras Shevchenko, Cherkasy Specialised School No. 20, Cherkasy Gymnasium No. 9 named after Oleksandr Lutsenko, and Cherkasy Educational Complex “Comprehensive School I–III degrees – Sports Lyceum No. 34”.
During the training, Svitlana KALASHNIKOVA, Coordinator of the National eTwinning Support Office – Ukraine, introduced participants to key trends in modern education, current societal challenges affecting the education sector, and the role of international cooperation in institutional development. The opportunities of the eTwinning Programme as part of the EU Erasmus+ Programme were highlighted, particularly its contribution to teachers’ professional development and school development. Special attention was paid to strategic planning, leadership in school management, and integrating international activities into institutional development strategies.
eTwinning Ambassadors – Svitlana HUTNIEVA, Mariia KYRYLCHUK, Svitlana LENARSKA, Tetiana MYRONENKO, Olena NAUMENKO, Tetiana SHYPKO, Oksana SHTYKH, Lesia SHCHERBATIUK – presented the opportunities of the European School Education Platform and shared practical experience in implementing eTwinning projects. Participants learned about project design, partnership requirements, thematic areas, types of student activities, and the TwinSpace environment as a collaborative space for project implementation. During the practical session, school teams analysed their institutional development strategies, identified strengths and weaknesses in internationalisation, and presented their own eTwinning project ideas.
A dedicated session focused on the opportunities of the EU Erasmus+ Programme for general secondary education institutions. Svitlana SHYTIKOVA, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine, presented participation tools, including youth exchanges, cooperation partnerships, capacity-building projects, and other funding opportunities. Together with Svitlana KALASHNIKOVA, key steps for preparing educational institutions to participate in Erasmus+ calls were outlined.