“BRIGHT-EU” project awarded €300,000 grant by Erasmus+ to support inclusive and digital EU education for teachers
The project will train teachers across Türkiye in EU institutions and values through digital educational content
Sakarya University has made history by becoming the first university in Türkiye to receive Jean Monnet Teacher Training support under the Erasmus+ programme. The university’s Department of Educational Sciences faculty member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bayrakcı secured a €300,000 grant for the project titled “Building Resilient Inclusive and Global Harmony Through Digital EU Education – BRIGHT-EU.”
Designed as a three-year teacher training programme, the BRIGHT-EU project aims to educate teachers on the European Union’s institutions, values, and policies using digital materials aligned with the national curriculum. The initiative underscores a commitment to equipping educators with tools to foster democratic participation and European harmony in Türkiye’s classrooms.
The project also addresses key EU priorities such as inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, climate change awareness, and democratic engagement. It will bring together teachers, educational institutions, civil society, academia, and the public sector across multiple provinces in Türkiye. Activities will include seminars, workshops, field visits, summer schools, and a final project summit in six provinces, including Sakarya.
Multi-institutional collaboration at the core
Speaking about the preparation phase of BRIGHT-EU, Prof. Dr. Bayrakcı emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative. The project was co-authored with experts from various institutions, including Dr. Seda Demir, Dr. Cansu Bayrakcı, Dr. Neslihan Demiriz, and Dr. Hande Özkeskin. He also highlighted the strategic support provided by Sakarya University and its International Office, which played a vital role in securing the grant.
He extended his appreciation to Dr. Tuba Tatar (International Office Coordinator), Dr. Nurcan Kostak (Assistant Coordinator), Prof. Dr. Samir Afifi, and Dr. Sadık Demirbağ (Research Dean’s Office) for their technical contributions. Academic input from Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Çalışkan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülden Kaya Uyanık, and Dr. Mehmet Uysal from the Faculty of Education was also crucial to the project’s success.
Prof. Dr. Bayrakcı also noted that the project team includes scholars from four different universities who are experts in EU studies, strengthening the project’s academic foundation and international collaboration.
