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Why Intercultural Understanding Is More Than a Skill
Why Intercultural Understanding Is More Than a Skill – Reflections from the Culture Compass Project
May 2025
Working in European projects over the years has shown me that cultural diversity is not something we simply acknowledge – it is something we experience every day. As a partner in the Culture Compass project, Eurospeak Ireland has had the opportunity to work with colleagues and learners from different countries, each bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and ways of communicating.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been seeing how intercultural learning goes beyond theory. Too often, we think of culture as something linked only to traditions or languages. In reality, culture influences how we collaborate, how we solve problems, and even how we understand the world around us.
Through the activities and discussions developed within Culture Compass, I have been reminded of how important curiosity and openness are. We all carry assumptions, often without realising it. Creating spaces where people can share experiences and ask questions without fear of judgement is one of the most valuable contributions education can make.
As educators, we have a responsibility to equip learners with more than technical knowledge. In today’s world, empathy, communication, and the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds are essential competences. These are skills that strengthen communities and prepare people to participate confidently in increasingly diverse societies.
What I particularly appreciate about the Culture Compass project is its practical approach.
It encourages participants to reflect on their own cultural identities while developing a deeper appreciation for others. In my experience, this process often leads to greater self-awareness and stronger relationships between people.
At Eurospeak Ireland, we believe that intercultural competence is not a destination but an ongoing journey. Projects such as Culture Compass remind us that diversity is not a challenge to overcome; it is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build more inclusive communities together.
Culture and Community: What I Have Learned Through the Culture Compass Project
Culture and Community: What I Have Learned Through the Culture Compass Project
June 2025
One thing I have always valued as an educator is the ability of culture to connect people. Regardless of age, profession, or background, cultural experiences have a remarkable way of creating dialogue and bringing communities together. This belief has been reinforced through our work in the Culture Compass project.
As a partner organisation, Eurospeak Ireland has seen first-hand how cultural learning can contribute to social inclusion and active participation. When people feel that their stories, traditions, and identities are recognised and respected, they are more likely to engage with others and contribute positively to their communities.
What has stood out to me throughout this project is the importance of creating opportunities for meaningful participation. Inclusion is not simply about inviting people to take part; it is about ensuring that everyone feels they belong and that their voice matters. Culture provides a powerful platform for achieving this.
In conversations with colleagues and participants from across Europe, I have been struck by how much we have in common despite our differences. While our languages and customs may vary, many of our hopes and challenges are shared. Recognising this common ground is, I believe, one of the strengths of European cooperation.
Culture Compass has highlighted the role educators can play in promoting understanding, dialogue, and respect. By encouraging reflection and intercultural exchange, we are helping learners develop not only knowledge but also the confidence and attitudes needed to thrive in diverse environments.
For me, this project is a reminder that culture is not something static or distant. It is something we create and experience together every day. By embracing cultural diversity and fostering inclusion, we can contribute to stronger communities and a more connected Europe.
I believe that this is exactly the kind of impact European projects should strive for – practical, people-centred, and focused on creating lasting positive change.
Culture Compass Partners Gather in Córdoba for the Project’s 1st TPM
Culture Compass Partners Gather in Córdoba for the Project’s 1st TPM
April 2025
The Culture Compass partnership successfully held its first Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) on 4 February in Córdoba, Spain, bringing together representatives from the partner organisations in Spain, Portugal and Ireland. The meeting marked an important milestone for the project, providing an opportunity for partners to align their vision, review the project timeline and lay the foundations for the activities that will be carried out over the coming months.
Culture Compass is an Erasmus+ KA210 project that aims to promote cultural integration, social inclusion and civic engagement among young foreigners aged 18 to 30 living in Spain, Portugal and Ireland.
Through the development of innovative digital resources, the project seeks to help newcomers gain a deeper understanding of the culture, traditions and values of their host countries, supporting their integration into local communities.
The meeting opened with a welcome session led by the coordinating organisation, Confórmate, during which partners shared their expectations for the project and reflected on the importance of fostering intercultural understanding in increasingly diverse European societies. The consortium also reviewed the project’s overall objectives, target groups and planned activities, ensuring a shared understanding of the project’s direction and expected outcomes.
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to project coordination and management. Partners reviewed the overall work plan, activity timeline and key deliverables, while also discussing the administrative and financial aspects necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the project throughout its duration.
Another key topic on the agenda was the development of the educational content that will form the core of the future Culture Compass platform.
EuroSpeak presented an advanced draft of the needs analysis survey that will be distributed among the project’s target groups. The findings of this research will help identify the needs, interests and challenges faced by young newcomers, ensuring that the educational resources developed throughout the project are relevant, engaging and meaningful.
The consortium also discussed the development of the project website. VogalOrizontal informed the partnership that the project domain had already been secured and presented the proposed structure of the platform. During the first phase, the website will provide general information about the project, its objectives, partners and activities. In a later stage, it will host the educational resources and interactive materials developed by the consortium, becoming one of the project’s main outputs.
Dissemination activities also featured prominently in the discussions. Partners reviewed the dissemination plan and agreed on a coordinated strategy to ensure that the project’s results reach young migrants, community organisations, educational institutions and other relevant stakeholders both within the partner countries and across Europe.
The meeting concluded with a review of the agreed actions and upcoming deadlines. Immediate priorities include the implementation of the needs analysis survey, the finalisation of the project work plan and preparations for future learning and international cooperation activities.
This first Transnational Project Meeting represents a promising starting point for Culture Compass. Thanks to the commitment and collaboration of all partner organisations, the project is moving forward with a clear roadmap to develop innovative resources that will strengthen intercultural awareness, social inclusion and the sense of belonging among young newcomers across Europe.
Stay tuned for future updates as Culture Compass continues to progress and take further steps towards building more inclusive and culturally connected communities.
Strengthening Local Partnerships to Promote Inclusion and Intercultural Understanding
Strengthening Local Partnerships to Promote Inclusion and Intercultural Understanding
September 2025
One of the key lessons emerging from the Culture Compass project is that successful cultural integration depends not only on educational resources, but also on strong partnerships between organisations working towards shared goals.
As Culture Compass continues to develop innovative tools to support young newcomers across Europe, we are pleased to share that our coordinating organisation, Confórmate, is further expanding its local network through its recent involvement in the Stop Rumours initiative.
This opportunity has been made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of APIC Andalucía Acoge, a leading organisation dedicated to social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and support for migrant communities. Through its work, APIC Andalucía Acoge helps create more inclusive environments where diversity is recognised as a valuable and enriching part of society.
The principles promoted by the Stop Rumours initiative closely align with the values that underpin Culture Compass.
While our project focuses on helping young migrants and newcomers better understand the culture, traditions and social values of their host countries, meaningful integration also depends on creating welcoming communities free from prejudice, stereotypes and misinformation.
For this reason, stakeholder engagement plays a vital role in the success of Culture Compass.
Collaborating with organisations that have extensive experience working with migrant communities enables the project to stay connected to real needs, broaden its reach and create lasting synergies that extend beyond the project’s activities.
Partnerships with organisations such as APIC Andalucía Acoge create valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing, community engagement and future cooperation. These connections not only help disseminate project results but also strengthen a wider network of organisations committed to inclusion, diversity and intercultural understanding.
As Culture Compass continues to move forward, we remain committed to building partnerships at local, national and European levels. We firmly believe that cooperation between organisations is one of the most effective ways to maximise impact and contribute to the development of more cohesive, inclusive and participatory communities.
We would like to thank APIC Andalucía Acoge for its support and commitment to these shared values, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities for collaboration that contribute to building a more open, diverse and inclusive society for all.
Why Culture Compass?
Why Culture Compass?
November 2025
Culture Compass aims to enhance and educate foreigners on the cultural knowledge of their new/host country, fostering a sense of belonging, allowing for cultural integration, social inclusion and civic engagement, among the target groups.
The Culture Compass project is targeted at immigrated youths aged 18-30 years old in Ireland, Portugal and Spain, therefore, the digital interactive material created is dynamic and engaging to appeal to this age range.
These materials intend to bridge the gap between the newcomers and their new/host countries, ensuring they integrate into their new community and gain a deeper understanding of the culture, traditions, and values.
Although the project focuses on those from diverse backgrounds, they all have a common goal of cultural integration and social inclusion. The consortium will create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that motivates the target groups, fostering cultural awareness, allowing the newcomers to embrace and adapt to their new/host communities.
该项目的合作伙伴目前在其所在国家/地区面临大量外国居民。近年来，抵达欧盟国家或迁往不同欧盟国家的各种移民和移居者的数量大幅增加。.
There are many resources available where newcomers can gain a deeper understanding of a country’s culture, traditions and values, however these materials are typically targeted at an older audience and do not attract and engage with youths between the ages of 18-30. In the digital era we are living in, providing visually appealing and user-friendly material is important, as well as creating engaging material that will capture the target groups.
The digital readiness of the project will ensure all those from the target groups can access the material that will be hosted on the Culture Compass website, accessible to anyone regardless of their location.
From Research to Action: How Young Migrants Helped Shape Culture Compass
From Research to Action: How Young Migrants Helped Shape Culture Compass
March 2026
One of the guiding principles of the Culture Compass project has been to ensure that the resources developed genuinely respond to the needs of the individuals they are intended to support. Rather than making assumptions about the challenges faced by young newcomers, the partnership has adopted a participatory approach focused on listening, learning, and co-creating solutions together with its target groups.
This process began in the early stages of the project, when partners conducted a comprehensive needs analysis involving young migrants and foreign nationals living in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. Through surveys and group discussions, participants shared their experiences of adapting to life in a new country, highlighting both opportunities and challenges encountered during their integration journey.
The insights gathered provided valuable evidence regarding the areas in which newcomers most often need support. Participants expressed a strong interest in gaining deeper knowledge of the culture, traditions, and everyday life of their host countries, while also identifying practical barriers such as accessing local services, finding reliable information, and building social connections within their communities.
These findings formed the foundation for the development of the Culture Compass learning resources. Throughout the project, partners have worked collaboratively to transform this input into a structured set of six learning modules, designed specifically for young people aged 18 to 30. These materials combine cultural content with practical guidance for daily life and include interactive activities, digital tools, and accessible resources aimed at supporting integration and participation.
At present, the project is moving into its implementation and piloting phase. The developed materials are being tested and further refined in order to ensure their quality, usability, and relevance for end users. This stage represents a key step before the final validation of the resources and the upcoming launch of the Culture Compass website, which will bring together all outputs in a single open-access digital platform.
In this context, the upcoming Learning, Teaching and Training Activity (LTTA) in Portugal will play an important role in the piloting process, allowing participants to engage directly with the materials and provide valuable feedback based on their real-life experiences.
In addition, the second and final Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), which will take place in Dublin, Ireland, in June, will also be used as an opportunity to engage target group representatives. This meeting will include practical sessions with the developed resources, enabling partners to gather final feedback and make the necessary adjustments before the official release of the platform.
Culture Compass is firmly grounded in the belief that meaningful inclusion begins with listening. By placing the experiences and perspectives of young migrants at the centre of the design process, the project has been able to develop resources that are not only informative, but also closely aligned with the real needs of those navigating integration in a new country.
As the project progresses towards its final stages, the partnership continues to reflect on the collaborative process that has shaped its development. The voices and contributions of participants have been instrumental in transforming initial ideas into practical tools that promote cultural understanding, social inclusion, and a stronger sense of belonging.
The consortium would like to thank all participants who have contributed to surveys, discussions, and early testing activities. Their input continues to be invaluable in ensuring that Culture Compass delivers meaningful and sustainable outcomes that can support young newcomers across Europe.
An introduction to the modules…
An introduction to the modules…
May 2026
The Culture Compass project aims to create an interactive digital learning journey to help newcomers (especially migrants and immigrants) integrate into new societies in Portugal, Spain, and Ireland.
As part of the Culture Compass we have developed 6 modules to implement our project.
In module 5 we wanted newcomers to have a full immersion on the culture of Ireland, Portugal and Spain.
We share with newcomers each country’s cultural points of interest, sightseeing, and curious stories that are deeply embodied into each culture.
We built an interactive map with all the main key cultural and historical sites of Ireland, Portugal and Spain. This is a great way to explore these countries without missing anything.
We talk about Curious Stories from Ireland, Portugal and Spain, such as Molly Malone – (the fishmonger by day, prostitute by night) from Ireland, the Padeira de Aljubarrota (A female Baker that killed all the invading Spaniards) from Portugal and El Ratoncito Pérez (The Spanish Tooth Mouse) from Spain.
Module 6 is about learning how to get around. We offer an interactive directory map where newcomers can locate their local language schools, job centres, municipalities, associations, organisations that offer help, classes, or integration events. Newcomers have the chance of learning how to create their own resource map too. We provide insights on how to contact support centres and youth centres.
It´s important for us in Culture Compass to provide knowledge in a digital context, so one of the main focus of this module is the App Finder, a precious guide on all the useful apps for living in Ireland, Portugal and Spain.
We covered areas such as language learning, accommodation, public services, finding a job, sightseeing, transportation, socializing and newspapers.
Navigating through the most culturally meaningful sites of these countries will push newcomers into an unforgettable dive into its history, giving them a sense of belonging. This will allow newcomers to have a better understanding of the country’s current situation and how to mingle in.
We believe giving newcomers tools for them to know their way around makes integration easier and happier.
The LTTA was held in Portugal
The LTTA was held in Portugal
May 2026
Throughout the projects duration, Culture Compass has been navigating newcomers for cultural integration through digital learning.
The project is almost complete, and it is now time for testing all the materials created with real people, real migrants that could use the tools that we have provided for them throughout the six modules.
In this context, in the past month of March an LTTA (Learning, Teaching, Training Activities) was held in Portugal, for our Culture Compass Project.
The Spanish Partner (Confórmate) brought youth workers from Spain, to be able to test and grant a successful implementation of the project.
The participants were encouraged to talk and reflect about their integration experience from working with the target groups in Spain.
Everybody shared their experiences when integrating into a foreign country.
The participants left the LTTA feeling very clarified that they had materials they can share with the migrants and immigrants they work with.
In Culture Compass we believe that learn by doing is the easiest and fastest way to learn, so we have provided migrants a full cultural day to have a deeper contact with Portuguese culture.
Our agenda was ambitious, but we managed to check into all the intended places, and everybody was very happy to experience the smooth Portuguese style of life in Loulé. The agenda was closed with a traditional Portuguese lunch that delighted all of our newcomers.