On 26 and 27 September 2024, a new edition of Inclusion ACAdemy trainings, a collaboration between ACA and SIHO, has begun for higher education institutions from Czech Republic, Estonia and Hungary. Over 50 participants took part in a two-day online introductory session where they had the opportunity to hear from researchers Sanam Roohi and Thais Franca about fundamental concepts in the field of Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Belonging and how they reflect in practice. This was followed by an overview of the latest research on inequalities in the Erasmus+ programme by Rúna Guðmarsdóttir, Director of Islandic NA, and a comprehensive view on inclusive mobilities, presented by Valerie Mertens from the SIHO centre. 

On the second day, the event continued by the presentation from the SIHO centre, this time by Valerie Van Hees who reported on the latest updates regarding the social dimension in the Bologna process, focusing on implementation of the designated policies at national levels. Lidija Živković from the SALTO Inclusion and Diversity (Education and Training) Resource Centre has presented their activities and resources in supporting the higher education sector in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. The two-day event was closed with a panel discussion among the participating National Agencies represented by Laura Hütt (Estonia), Edina Szilárdi (Hungary), and Terezie Kracikova (Czech Republic). They have discussed their approaches, successes and challenges in providing inclusive support such as top-ups and inclusion support to the students studying in HEIs in their countries. 

The training series will continue throughout the Autumn focusing on specific aspects of improving the I&D priority of the Erasmus+ programme. So far around 250 participants have taken part in various iterations of this training programme in 10 European countries.