As an Industrial Doctoral Network, “Cocoso” brings together 6 universities and 15 partners from the non-governmental and public sectors across Europe.
Universities
Awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks grant for 2023, Université Paris Nanterre is an institution of higher education with a vibrant campus life, innovative education and socially-oriented scientific research. Today University Paris Nanterre has 34,000 students in undergraduate, postgraduate and professional continuing education with more than 20% of the student body from a foreign country.
Established in 1992, the “Centre de Recherche en Éducation et Formation (CREF)” conducts research on learning processes within institutions, families, communities, and services. It provides doctoral studies to 50 young researchers.
UPN & CREF are involved in several European projects such as :
- RESPONSIVE which aims to Increase responsiveness to citizen voice in social services across Europe”
Project stakeholders:
Pr. Hélène Join-Lambert, Professor in Education, Research center for education and training (CREF), Cocoso coordinator
Dr. Anna Rurka, Assistant Professor in Education, Research center for education and training (CREF)
Dr. Amel Bouterraa, Cocoso Project manager
A young and dynamic university located in northern Denmark with more than 22,000 students and 3,800 salaried employees, AAU ranks in the World Top 10 on sustainability (No. 250 in the overall world university rankings and, for the sixth time in a row, best in Europe within the field of Engineering).
AAU is involved in “The Practice Research and Service User Perspective research group PRAKSIS aims to develop, identify, and conceptualize practice research, including the theoretical, methodological, profession-developing, and practice-developing foundation.
It establishes research processes aimed at developing and qualifying social work practice through close collaboration with social work practitioners and service users.
AAU has cooperated with municipalities, regions, institutions, and NGOs. Researchers have participated in international groups planning five international conferences on social work practice research.
AAU has also taken initiatives to establish a special interest group on practice research in the European Social Work Research Association and a Nordic network of practice research in social work within the Nordic research association.
AAU is the coordinator of ADVANCES – MA Advanced Development in Social Work and is involved in RESPONSIVE
Project stakeholders:
Dr. Lars Uggerhøj, Professor of Social Work, Department of Sociology & Social Work.
Dr. Mette Rømer, Associate Professor of Social Work, Department of Sociology & Social Work.
Dr. Ninna Meyer, Associate Professor of organizational sociology, Department of Sociology & Social Work.
Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) is the largest university in Portugal and one of Europe’s leading universities, with around 50,000 students, 3,500 teaching staff, 360 researchers, 750 research fellows, and 2,000 management and technical staff.
The Institute of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP), one of the eighteen faculties of the University of Lisbon (ULisboa), offers 9 bachelor’s programs, 15 master’s programs, 13 doctoral courses, and a variety of other postgraduate and specialized programs. With nearly 5,000 students, 170 teaching staff, and 60 management and technical staff, ISCSP is a significant academic institution.
ISCSP currently hosts three research centers recognized by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), with a team of 281 members. ISCSP aims to promote knowledge transfer and create new synergies with public and private entities, stimulating the development of innovative research and scientific production of excellence. It also values social responsibility and promotes the Institute’s internal and external visibility.
UL-ISCPS was involved in several projects, including
- DARE which trains a new generation of disability scholars and policy specialists,
- ADVANCES- MA Advanced Development in Social Work
- and actually RESPONSIVE
Project stakeholders:
Dr Carla Pinto, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Policy, Coordinator of the Social Work and Social Policy department at ISCSP.
Dr Fernando Serra, Chair Professor of Social Work and Social Policy. Vice-President of ISCSP.
Dr Ana Esgaio, Assistant Professor at ISCSP. PhD in social sciences, specializing in social work.
Established in July 1973, Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) currently has 1,400 employees operating in 8 Faculties and 20 Schools across four cities in Thrace (9 in Komotini, 5 in Xanthi, 4 in Alexandroupolis, and 2 in Orestiada). Overall, more than 28,000 students are studying at DUTH at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The University plays a significant role in strengthening the national and cultural identity of the Thrace region and contributes to the high level of education in Greece.
During the last 20 years, DUTH has completed several thousand funded projects managed by its Research Committee. Within the framework of these programs, there has been extensive cooperation with universities, research centers, and other bodies in Greece, throughout Europe, and in countries outside Europe.
DUTH has participated or is currently participating as a lead or project partner in several EU-funded programs, such as:
- H2020 actions
- Strategic Transitions for Youth Labor in Europe-STYLE (a research project examining obstacles and opportunities affecting youth employment in Europe)
- In Situ Intervention for School Inclusion of Muslim Roma Pupils implemented in seven severely deprived communities in Thrace (2002-2004, 2005-2015), which was part of the « Education for the Muslim Minority Children in Thrace » program co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF)
- European Observatory on Alternatives to Imprisonment
Additionally, the Department of Social Work offers:
- A master’s program in « Social Work in Education – Inclusion of Otherness »
- A master’s program in « Cancelling »
- A PhD program in Social Work
Project stakeholders:
Dr Vassilis Karagkounis, Professor of Social Work, Department of Social work, Democritus University of Thrace
Dr Irene Katsama , Associate Professor of Social Work, Department of Social work, Democritus University of Thrace
Poland’s largest and most prestigious university, the University of Warsaw (UW), has played a significant role in the intellectual, political, economic, social, and cultural life of the country.
Ranked among the top 3% of universities worldwide (according to global rankings such as ARWU, QS, and THE), awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education and the HR Excellence in Research title by the European Commission, the University of Warsaw (UW) is also a member of the 4EU European University Alliance.
With 25 faculties and 30 research units, the University of Warsaw (UW) has: 36,300 students, 1,900 doctoral candidates, 3,600 international students and doctoral candidates, 8,000 employees, 44 English-language programs, and 4 doctoral schools.
Dr Agnieszka Naumiuk, Associate Professor (PhD hab. Prof. UW), Faculty of Education.
Dr Agnieszka Postuła, Associate Professor (PhD hab. Prof. UW), Faculty of Management.
The Institute for Educational Sciences is one of Austria’s leading research institutions for theoretical and applied research in the fields of social sector and human development.
Staff have significant experience of implementing European projects, such as :
- RESPONSIVE
- Erasmus+ Collaborative Project “Creating Safe Environments for Children in need of Foster Care” (2021-2024).
Futhermore, the institute was involved in research and training program including H2020ITN, such as :
- European Joint Doctorate in Teacher Education (EDiTE-EJD)
- Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership “Increasing Social Effectiveness Through Innovative Methods and Tools in Non-formal Education-based Youth Work” (2019-2022).
Project stakeholders:
Dr Michael Rasell, PhD in Sociology and Social Work, Institut für Erziehungswissenschaft, Universty of Innsbruck
Dr. Levke Harders, Professor of History, Institut für Geschichtswissenschaften und Europäische Ethnologie, University of Innsbruck
Dr. Lisa Pfahl, Professor in Disability Studies, Institut für Erziehungswissenschaft, University of Innsbruck
Partners
With 33 years of existence, Misericordia of Amadora (SCMA) is an NGO dedicated to Human Dignity, providing daily services to 6,000 people. The organization emerges from a multi-challenged territorial context, with the purpose of mitigating the biopsychosocial vulnerabilities of the population and community.
The 530 employees, across 4 main areas (Health Care, Elderly Care, Education, and Social Support), develop methodologies, tools, and strategies that accelerate empowerment processes to promote capacity building.
https://www.misericordia-amadora.pt
Supervisor: Adriano Fernandes
Among Denmark’s 98 municipalities, the Municipality of Aalborg (in the north of the country) is responsible for several major welfare tasks such as public schools, kindergartens, elderly care, rehabilitation, integration, employment, sport and culture, or renovation.
As formal partners with Aalborg University, the Municipality has established several research projects within the topic of co-construction. With this in mind and to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Aalborg, the Department of Employment and Social Welfare is exploring new ways of working with co-construction
Supervisor: Ann Kühnel Liljenberg
Founded by young people in a vulnerable community surrounding the city of Valencia, Jovesolides is an NGO mainly focused on youth. Beyond this target group, Jovesolides also is also attending all diverse kind of vulnerable communities and society in general when it comes to promote a new vision of social integration and social inclusion.
This organisation has experience in diverse areas of work such as: E-inclusion (including labor inclusion of vulnerable communities), Social awareness and Education for development.
Promoting youth as social change makers, Jovesolides has a long experience in volunteering, having hosted diverse profiles of volunteer services (university placements, European Volunteer Service, professional internship practices, and volunteer service). Convinced of the importance of certifying volunteer and social experience and skills, Jovesolides works toward future labor inclusion of youth.
With a background in social innovation, in the design of social innovation strategies and methods to empower and train diverse stakeholders, Jovesolides also leads social and political advocacy discussion forums in medium and large-scale events within social issues.
Supervisor: Amparo Pedraza
The Scientific Association for the Care of Children and Adolescents (SYMEPE), based in Thessaloniki, Greece, is a nonprofit organization established in 2010. Comprised of child psychiatrists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social scientists, and educators, SYMEPE is dedicated to research, education, and training on mental health, as well as psychosocial care of children, adolescents, and their families. Its mission is to provide this care through the production of knowledge, the connection of scientific and academic research with practice, the enhancement of professional training, and the facilitation of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional cooperation.
Supervisor: Dr Christina Chatzidimitriou
Agence nouvelle des solidarités actives (Ansa) is a non-profit (non-denominational and non-political) organization whose combat poverty and promote inclusion. It aims to respond to the needs of people in precarious situations and of the organizations that support them. Through the deployment of innovation and social experimentation, ANSA is at the crossroads of research and the field, using methodologies developed in the human sciences to influence the transformation of social policies and practices.
Putting the principles of co-construction at the heart of its projects, the association aims to bring together actors with various interests: the state, associations, companies and the people concerned.
https://www.solidarites-actives.com
Supervisor: Claire D’Hennezel
Founded in 1986 to ensure the population’s mental health and well-being, The Society of Social Psychiatry P. Sakellaropoulos provides high quality psychiatric and psychological support services.
With 242 employees, the Society provided services to 3,435 patients (in 2022) and operates in several services such as : 2 Mobile Mental Health Units; 6 Hostels and 23 protected apartments for the de- institutionalisation of individuals with severe psychosocial problems ; a Day Centre for the Psychological Support of individuals with Cancer; a Day Centre for the follow-up in the care of people with psychiatric disorders who live in the community; a Day Centre for children, adolescents and adults with psychiatric disorders who live in the community.
The SSP P. Sakellaropoulos conducts Community Sensitization Activities in order to raise public awareness and knowledge regarding mental illness; Educational Programmes for Mental Health Professionals; Rehabilitation programmes for people with mental health problems.
Supervisor: Dr Valentini Bochtsou
Danchurch Social (Kirkens Korshær) is a Danish charity. Kirkens Korshær is a national church organisation, and our work is based on a Christian view of humanity. We believe that every person is unique and infinitely valuable. We aid people in exposed and vulnerable life situations. People who live with often difficult social, psychological and financial problems, who suffer from poverty, addiction, and extreme loneliness. DanChurchSocial operates shelters, hostels, drop-in centres for families with children and counselling services in 29 cities across the country, with a staff of over 450 employees and over 9,000 volunteers. for vulnerable people in Denmark. Here we support, help and – not least -someone who cares.
Supervisor: Jonas Jakobsen
Member of the European Volunteer Center – CEV that brings together organizations and institutions from all over Europe active in the field of volunteering, FDS currently employs 4 experienced professionals.
Since 2009, they have been supporting individuals, NGOs, and the business sector in fields such as Online Volunteering, Competence Validation, and Scholarships. Within the E-Volunteering Program, FDS encourages people to share their skills online. The LEVER Program provides knowledge and tools supporting the validation of transversal competences. Through the My Scholarship Program, FDS maintains a database of scholarship and internship programs. They also support companies in the implementation of different employee volunteering programs.
As a member of the European Volunteer Center – CEV, which brings together organizations and institutions from all over Europe active in the field of volunteering, FDS is committed to advancing volunteer initiatives across the continent.
Supervisor: Dr Aleksandra Belina
The Amadora Municipality is a local authority with statutory powers, focusing on supporting activities of local interest. The Municipality works to promote social and urban cohesion of the city; strengthen the city’s competitiveness within the region; modernize municipal management; improve the quality of services provided; and bring the city council closer to citizens.
Having designed and developed sectoral policies (in urban areas and the urban environment, education, housing, and vocational training and qualification for young people and adults), the municipality is creating new social responses and applying positive differentiation measures to strengthen the city’s social and territorial cohesion.
Focused on innovative methodologies, projects, and strategies to better serve the city according to population needs, the Amadora Municipality is putting significant effort into innovation to improve the well-being and quality of life of the elderly population.
Supervisors: Ana Moreno, Rute Gonçalves
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Europe is a regional branch of the larger International Federation of Social Workers, which is a global organization representing social work professionals and promoting social justice and social work values worldwide. It specifically focuses on the social work profession within the European context.
IFSW Europe’s primary mission is to advance the social work profession across Europe and to advocate for social justice, human rights, and social inclusion. It works to promote the values and principles of social work and supports social workers in their practice and to inform evidence-based practices in Europe and beyond.
Through its membership across 50 countries, IFSW Europe demonstrates a diverse and comprehensive expertise that covers various facets of the social work profession. Key areas of their expertise include Professional Development, Field Research, Staff Training for Social Services, Policy Advocacy, Ethical Standards and Practice, Diversity and Inclusion, Capacity Building. This expertise makes a significant impact on the practice and development of social work in Europe.
ATD (All Together in Dignity) Fourth World is an international movement of solidarity, a non-governmental organization with no religious or political affiliation. Work among and in collaboration with the most excluded families worldwide. Founded in 1957 by Joseph Wresinski, ATD Fourth World brings together women and men from all cultures and social classes and is active in over 30 countries.
In Poland, the association was registered in 2005. We believe that a world without poverty is possible.
Anziani e non solo soc. coop. soc. (ANS) is a social cooperative / non-profit organization based in-northern Italy and active in the implementation of projects and interventions in the social sector and with a focus on older persons and their informal carers. Most of our interventions foreseen an ICT component and we have a strong expertise in supporting digital literacy and digital health literacy of vulnerable groups. Co-design and user-led approach are also a common practice in ANS.
Since its foundation in 2002, ANS has been involved in over 100 nationally and European-funded research and training programmes in the social sector. The most recent and relevant with the goal of this call, as connected with the use of ICT with older persons and their carers such as Erasmus+ App4Dem (create an APP to provide training to formal carers of people with dementia), Erasmus+ DEM@ENTORING (support carers of persons with dementia through mentoring and training opportunities delivered via web-based tools and methodologies), Erasmus+ E-LILY (support the e-health literacy skills of informal carers, by providing them skills and competences to navigate the world of health information accessible via web), Erasmus+ CARE4DEM – Care4dem aims to develop and test an innovative methodology to run online peer support groups for informal carers of people with dementia, Erasmus+ APP4CARERS (select and classify mobile applications potentially useful for informal carers and will promote their use among the target group through dedicated training activities
Erasmus+ SENIORVLOG (promotes seniors’ vlogging (video blogging) as an opportunity for social inclusion, networking and development of digital skills), Erasmus+ Silvercoders (promote coding capacities of over 55+), Erasmus+ FAITH (support trust of older persons on online transaction through the digital literacy of older persons and a peer-learning approach), Erasmus+ CRAFT50+ (supports entrepreneurs from the artistic craft sector who are 50+ to acquire digital skills to develop their own business).
Supervisor: Licia Boccaletti
Opened in 2007, CFCECAS is a non-governmental organization which promotes workforce development, the design and delivery of social services, and international cooperation for the promotion of good practices. CFCECAS develops expertise in several areas: training programs for social service managers, social workers, and students; developing innovative services and social enterprises to support people at risk of exclusion; professional supervision and coaching on social work practice and performance management; social research and development of community services for social and economic development.
Supervisor: Herbert Paulischin
Bidok is an information, networking, and advice project for people with disabilities. Founded in 1997, it offers an online platform for disabled people, families, students, professionals, and researchers as well as one of Europe’s largest open-access digital libraries on inclusion and work. Bidok organizes workshops for people with disabilities, academics, professionals and representatives from politics and society. The information provided by bidok aims to be accessible for all by providing easy language, barrier-free and other formats.
Bidok is involved in several projects such as ‘Bidok against violence,’ part of the campaign ‘Preventing and protecting against Violence’ of Tyrol Region (2014-15); ‘The history of the disability rights movement,’ explaining the 100 years of disability movements in Austria through interviews, documents, digital archive and research, financed by the University of Salzburg (2017-2022); ‘Platform World of Work Tirol,’ publishing texts and materials giving advice, guidelines and training on workplace integration for people with disabilities (since 2005); ‘Academic Network of European Disability Experts,’ where Bidok distributed results in German-speaking countries (2007-2019); Visual library on inclusion, in cooperation with the University and State Library of Tirol (ULBT); and Workshops to train users, academics and professionals in digital universal design.
One of France’s major social welfare organisations, The Salvation Army Foundation has 2,800 employees and operates 242 institutions and services across several sectors such as : child protection, homeless, food distribution, medico-social care for older citizens, emergency housing, different services for working, living, training for disabled citizens.
Behind the creation of the National Council representing People in Care (now the CNPA) that support it since ever, The Salvation Army Foundation also support the Regional Councils for People in Care (CRPAs). In a commitment to develop particpation within Foundation, The Salvation Army created a High Committee of Supported and Accompanied Persons (HCPAA) designed to represent the views of people in care internally.
Supervisors: Claire Obertur, Blandine Maisonneuve