The Co-CREATE project, funded through the Erasmus+ program (KA220-SCH), aims to enhance inclusivity and the digital transformation of educational systems in Croatia, Portugal, Serbia, and Spain. Based on an interdisciplinary approach and Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL), the project enables the development of key competencies in students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), such as gifted students and students with learning difficulties. Additionally, it strengthens the digital and collaborative capacities of teachers and policymakers.

One of the key objectives of the project is to develop innovative CSCL practices through participatory research, involving students and teachers as co-researchers and solution creators. The project envisions upgrading an existing e-learning platform to be available in multiple languages, adapted for students with special needs, and enriched with features for collaborative activities. Special attention is given to creating an interactive teacher’s guide, supported by artificial intelligence (AI), to assist educators in implementing new learning methods.

Throughout the 30-month duration of the project, workshops and webinars will be organized for teachers to help them apply new collaborative learning methods in classrooms. Students, including both gifted individuals and those with special needs, will actively participate in research and evaluation processes. Numerous local, national, and international events will ensure the promotion and sustainability of the project’s outcomes. The goal is to establish a network of teachers, researchers, schools, policymakers, and experts to support future initiatives in inclusive education. More than 1,000 teachers and policymakers will be trained through project activities, while the project will directly benefit over 1,000 students, including at least 50 students with special educational needs.

The project brings together an international consortium of partners, with the University of Belgrade in Serbia as the project coordinator. Other partners include the Center for Technical Culture Rijeka from Croatia, the Petlja Foundation from Serbia, the Associação Empresarial de Fafe, Cabeceiras de Basto e Celorico de Basto from Portugal, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra from Spain