The main objective of the EduChampions project was to foster an educational entrepreneurial mindset among educators to act as change-makers, driving innovation and flexibility in education, addressing student diversity through a combination of student-centered pedagogies with targeted educational technologies. To achieve that goal, the project has comprised the development of: 1) the EduChampions interactive dashboard with interactive infographics presenting the stories and achievements of inspiring educational entrepreneurs; 2) the EduChampions Learning Path, which offers a three-module learning path focused on pedagogy, technology and educational entrepreneurship; and 3) EduChampions Online Learning Stations, an open-access online platform.Contributing to closing existing gaps in access to and successful delivery of training, particularly for those who struggle to adapt to traditional training approaches. Fostering innovative teaching and learning approaches to address the diverse needs of VET learners by enhancing the central role of education entrepreneurs as role models in this change across the VET provider ecosystem will also open a path for continued and effective innovation in VET.
In accordance with SDG 4 of the 2023 Agenda and the inclusion and diversity strategy, the promotion of inclusive learning and the promotion of equity are essential. Within this objective, education is considered essential to change the lives of people with fewer opportunities and with more limited access to formal learning. Currently, it must be taken into account that the concept of inclusion has been extended to those who face specific challenges in the learning process. When the Educhampions project was developed, the partners carried out a research on inclusion in all participating countries and came to the conclusion of the need for a paradigm shift in VET practices to effectively take advantage of student diversity in a more consistent way. For all these reasons, the EDUCHAMPIONS project has been based on three assumptions: learner diversity is seen through the lens of Universal Design for Learning; effective approaches to addressing learner diversity depend on a good balance between comprehensive learner-centred pedagogies and relevant digital tools used intentionally; educational entrepreneurs play a crucial role as advocates for change in education, inspiring, fostering and sustaining it over time.