All the actions planned in the project were focused on getting a school more international, more participative in the european context, more inclusive and motivating. The main aims planned were: 1.To foster a more concrete knowledge of the European reality, developing a sense of belonging to it: to reflect and analyse the European reality and the direct contact with people from other nationalities and cultures would widen personal and academic horizons of participants. 2.To improve linguistic competence in foreign languages, providing real environment for its use and fostering multilingualism: expose students to real situations of communication to put into practise their linguistic knowledge in international groups. 3.To improve motivation in especial needs students and socio-economic disadvantaged pupils: providing contexts and learning opportunities more encouraging and favouring participation and commitment to the school life.
The Project “Estrechando Lazos Europeos” (Tightening European bonds” was implemented from 31/12/21 to 30/06/23, coordinated by José de Mora school and with the direct participation as hosting organizations form Germany and Netherlands, and other participating organisations from Poland, France, Sweden and Latvia. After the Covid crisis, the school saw an increase in learning difficulties and lack of motivation in students who did not consider the usefulness of school knowledge for their personal and social development. The project was conceived for 13-16 years old students from Baza and the surroundings (rural and disadvantaged ).Students had a low knowledge of the European reality, most of them had never gone abroad. This rural context affects directly to students’ beliefs about themselves, their reduced views as European citizens, their academic and labour expectations. The applicability of basic competences, especially foreign languages and their use, is something students did not consider due to the lack of opportunities of practical and real use out of school. It was necessary to widen students ‘ horizons, develop the interest of internacionalization, cultural diversity and foster inclusion.