Education beyond the classroom
The selection covered support from early childhood through adulthood, including teacher training, transitions between stages of education and digital tools. Zero Project assessed innovation, impact and the potential to expand a solution elsewhere. The awards gave selected organisations a place in its annual report and an opportunity to present their work internationally, helping practitioners find approaches developed outside their own education systems. [1]
Support for children displaced by war
Among the recipients was the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD). With the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) regional office in Geneva and six national partners, it supported Ukrainian families whose young children had disabilities or developmental delays. Partners worked in Moldova, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Romania. Alongside emergency assistance, the project aimed to strengthen national early childhood intervention services. Ivana Davidovska, EASPD’s Head of Projects, said: “We are honoured to have received recognition for our work from the Zero Project.” She highlighted both immediate help and longer-term changes to services.
An international meeting in Vienna
The recognised projects subsequently took centre stage at the Zero Project Conference on 21–23 February 2024 at the United Nations Office at Vienna. Organisers reported more than 1,000 participants from 100 countries. Sessions were streamed free of charge, and recordings were made available afterwards. This extended access to the discussion beyond the people able to travel to Austria. [1]