The CIRCUS project aimed to create and develop functional methods to carry out positive pedagogy and recognition of character strengths. We consider that both children and adults would benefit from learning to recognise their strengths, learning to talk about them, and learning to use them in different situations in everyday life. We aimed to learn about resilience, and discomfort zones, and how to deal with them. We wanted to emphasise that there are moments of disappointment in life, and we can learn to handle those moments. We aimed to learn new methods and ways of working in order to promote our goals. We decided that during the project we would collect these methods, tasks and tips together and finally create a virtual and printed book. Our CIRCUS project aimed also to find the joy of working together, and to learn more about circus as an art and a physical performance. We wanted our participants to know that we share common values with our European peers, and we can create joint welfare. We wanted to enhance the digital skills, when saving and sharing our activities with the partners in eTwinning or other platforms.
The CIRCUS project was established for the children and adults of our institutions. We recognised a growing need to engage our pupils and staff members in learning experiences that went beyond textbooks and borders. We shared a common vision: to empower the participants with key-competences for the future, foster their emotional and social growth, and strengthen their sense of European identity. We were drawn to the idea of using strengths-based education and positive pedagogy, focusing on what the participants do well and helping them to discover the best in themselves and others. These early ideas came together naturally into a project that would give a voice to the participants both children and adults, celebrate their diversity, and guide them in becoming curious, kind, resilient, and creative learners. We know that there are good qualities and strengths in every person, but sometimes it is hard to notice the good in oneself. Circus was chosen to be a motivating and easily identified cross-cultural theme. In short, the project was born from a shared aspiration to make education more meaningful, connected, and human, both within our schools and across Europe. We wanted to act as an encouraging example of active citizenship.