A new project, which will strengthen global development education in EU member States by promoting dialogue, networking strategies, capacity building and exchange of good education practices, will be launched today by the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

For the next three years, the "iLEGEND, Intercultural Learning Exchange through Global Education, Networking and Dialogue", will foster inclusive and equitable quality education to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, mainly through global development education and intercultural dialogue. The project will aim at the inclusion of global development education in school curricula, enabling teachers and youth workers to educate on knowledge and skills to understand, participate in and interact critically with our global societies, and increase the general public understanding of what is global development education.

Implemented by the North South Centre (NSC) of the Council of Europe, the activities will range from residential and online training courses on human rights, intercultural dialogue and democratic citizenship to seminars and workshops mobilising representatives from governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities and civil society.

Relying on the expertise of the North South Centre (NSC) of the Council of Europe, which has run two previous projects since 2009, and on its broad network of stakeholders, the activities will reach policy-makers, educators and youth workers in EU member States and neighbouring regions.

With a €1, 3 million budget - 75% by the European Union and 25% by the Council of the Europe – the iLegend will be financed through the DEAR (Development Education and Awareness Raising) programme. The project is fully in line with the Goal 4 of the UN Global Goals Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, 'Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.'

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The Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) programme aims to inform EU citizens about development issues, mobilise greater public support for action against poverty, give citizens tools to engage critically with global development issues, to foster new ideas and change attitudes. It is implemented by civil society actors and local authorities in EU and acceding countries.