Gordon Academic College Wins

Gordon Academic College of Education is proud to announce the success of three new Erasmus+ projects—MANDELA, HOPE, and Peacebuilding Lab—positioning the college at the forefront of international innovation in teacher education, peacebuilding, and intercultural dialogue. All three initiatives are three-year projects that significantly expand Gordon’s global partnerships and deepen its impact on future educators in Israel and worldwide.

(Started November 1, 2025)

Gordon Academic College of Education serves as co-coordinator, together with Sakhnin College, in the newly launched MANDELA project. This cross-regional Erasmus+ initiative brings together universities and NGOs from Germany, Austria, and Romania, alongside higher education institutions and NGOs from Israel, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

The project aims to strengthen the professional capacities of future teachers in conflict resolution, dilemma resolution, and cultural diplomacy, equipping them to navigate diverse and complex educational environments. Gordon plays a central leadership role as both co-coordinator and co-leader of the Dissemination Work Package, ensuring broad visibility, engagement, and long-term impact across regions.

(Started November 1, 2025)

A national Erasmus+ initiative dedicated to enhancing the capacities of future teachers in peace education. The project brings together ten teacher-training colleges from across Israel, supported by European partners from Greece and Germany.

HOPE focuses on the development of new curricula, professional development frameworks, and meaningful dialogue with policymakers and educational leaders. Its overarching goal is to embed peace education principles across higher education institutions in Israel, preparing future teachers to foster respectful, inclusive, and constructive learning environments.

(Starting February 2026)

Peacebuilding Lab is a unique and innovative Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project, in which Gordon Academic College is the only higher education institution participating alongside youth organizations. The consortium includes partners from Cyprus and Italy, with beneficiary organizations in Lebanon, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel.

This initiative aims to demonstrate how education and sports can serve as bridges between communities and nations experiencing historical conflict. Through virtual exchange, intercultural dialogue, and collaborative youth engagement, the project seeks to build relationships, challenge stereotypes, and promote mutual understanding. Gordon’s role focuses on leading the development of the project’s pedagogical approaches, ensuring that the educational framework is research-based, inclusive, and impactful.

These three Erasmus+ project wins reflect Gordon’s strong commitment to international collaboration, innovation in teacher education, and the promotion of peace and dialogue through academic engagement. By leading and contributing to initiatives spanning Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Gordon continues to expand its global reach and deepen its contribution to education and society.