By implementing the project we especially wanted to achieve a working and innovative cooperation network between partner institutions in the form of a cross-border online learning platform. The network is the basis for designing and piloting a BA study course aimed at developing future teachers' multilingual and multicultural competences by participating in cross-border border student collaboration and participation, and encouraging students to take part in student exchange programs. In addition, the project was aimed at bringing together experts in multilingual teaching methodology from different countries to work in teams and use their expertise ti develop innovative instructional approaches for promoting multilingual practices. An important objective was also to develop an open-source multilingual MOOC on teaching in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms, aimed at in-service teachers as a professional development course.
The main idea when applying for the project was to develop future teachers' multicultural and multilingual skills and competences which would enable them to teach in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms. The partner institutions have recognized the need to enhance pre-service primary school and preschool teachers competences for teaching in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms. This is especially relevant as all partner institutions are all located in multilingual and multicultural environments. In addition, the need for the project is related to the fact that education study programs face low numbers of student mobility which is partly due to the fact that they are regulated by the government which means there are some extra requirements that students have to fulfill (such as the obligatory teaching practice). This need is addressed by the objective of creating a cross-border online virtual space for students to learn through multilingual and multicultural experiences. In line with the EU objectives of promoting multilingual and multicultural practices, the projects also addresses the need to offer a teacher training course in the form of a MOOC aimed at in-service teachers.