- These visits have allowed students to understand the work of European institutions and gain firsthand knowledge of the Foundation’s activities.
- Additionally, they visited the Castilla-La Mancha Office to the EU to learn about its significance for the autonomous community in Brussels.
Brussels, 01/04/2025 – The Finnova Foundation organized a series of educational and cultural events in Brussels (Belgium) for students of the Universidad Popular de Caudete, led by the town’s mayor, Moisés López Martínez. These activities were conducted within the framework of the Erasmus Accreditation in the Adult Education sector of the Caudete City Council, funded by the Erasmus+ program. On March 26 and 27, our team accompanied this group of adult students on various visits to European institutions to learn about their operations and gain firsthand experience of the Foundation’s work.
On March 26, participants visited the Experience Europe Exhibition Centre, an interactive space that allowed them to learn about the values and initiatives supported by the European Union in an engaging way. Following this, members of the Foundation conducted a training session on circular economy, digitalization, and environmental sustainability.
During this session, communication assistants Alexander Segade Fidalgo and Jorge Abad Pérez, along with European projects assistant Asier Rodríguez Bríos, presented the Erasmus+ projects in which the Foundation is involved: 5G-DiGITs, TEXTIL4ALL, C-SUSTAIN, LivAI andEDUDEMOS. Subsequently, project technician Laia Mani Rodríguez introduced FU-TOURISM project, which focuses on supporting European tourism SMEs in adopting sustainable practices. Additionally, Paulina Menem, a European projects and legal affairs technician, presented the Foundation’s projects in South America, explaining details of AL-INVEST Verde program and initiatives related to Sustainable Coffee, Chilean Fruit, and Sustainable Fashion.
To conclude the day, participants visited the headquarters of the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions, where they learned about the main lines of action of these institutions. Through María Alonso Pérez Villanueva, translator in these institutions, they obtained a more precise vision of the work in these entities, which watch over community policies that are adapted to economic and social conditions and defend the interests of European regions and cities respectively.
On March 27, students visited the European Parliament, where they gained deeper insight into the workings of the European hemicycle. They also visited the House of European History, a museum showcasing key milestones of the Union since its inception.
To wrap up the day, we visited the Castilla-La Mancha Office to the EU, where we were welcomed by its director, Ramón Asensio Echegoyen. Then, Clara Castaño, Leticia Abarca, and Joseph Pike, members of the Castilla-La Mancha Office team, explained the importance of their presence in Brussels for the autonomous community and presented some of the projects being implemented in the region with European funding. Furthermore, focusing on Erasmus+ program funding, María Ángeles Muñoz, Education, Universities, and Sports Counselor at the Representation of Spain to the European Union, provided insights into the activities carried out under this funding program.
Additionally, we held another training session on the projects in which the Foundation participates. Carmen Mena Moreno, project manager, introduced the session, while Jon Larrachea, communication technician, presented the Horizon-funded projects RES4CITY andONE-BLUE, as well as LIFE COSTAdapta and LIFE NextFUMIGREEN projects. Meanwhile, Davide Grechi, European projects technician, explained INTERREG program and HIBA+, FIREPOCTEP+, and NAPOCTEP projects.
This initiative reinforces Finnova Foundation’s commitment to education, mobility, and international outreach, offering students of the Universidad Popular de Caudete an immersive experience at the heart of Europe.
About FINNOVA
FINNOVA is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation headquartered in Brussels and Spain, dedicated to promoting and developing innovation and entrepreneurship within the EU. FINNOVA’s expertise in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is complemented by a solid track record in business creation and support programs, such as accelerators, incubators, and events, as well as its commitment to training and youth employability.