As part of the Erasmus+ Accreditation for Adult Education, the Lisbon City Foundation (LCF) carried out its 7th international mobility programme between 30 June and 2 July 2026 in Genoa, Italy. The activity involved three staff members and one trainer from the Fundação Cidade de Lisboa, and comprised a job-shadowing experience focused on Intercultural Communication and Social Inclusion.

A learning experience within a European context

The exchange programme was organised in partnership with La Casa nel Parco ETS – Casa Gavoglio, a leading organisation in the promotion of community participation, interculturalism and social inclusion. The programme also included visits and learning sessions at various cultural and social institutions in the city, including the Edmondo De Amicis International Children’s Library, the Castello d’Albertis – Museum of World Cultures, the Galata Museo del Mare and the National Museum of Italian Emigration, as well as the Co.C.I.Ma. association – Coordination of Italo-Moroccan Citizens, dedicated to promoting interculturality.

Best practices for promoting inclusion

Over the course of the three-day mobility programme, participants had the opportunity to observe innovative approaches to working with migrant communities, learn about intercultural education practices, and explore inclusion strategies based on culture, community participation and networking. The experience enabled participants to deepen their understanding of tools such as storytelling, the use of visual and artistic resources, and the use of life stories as means of promoting integration and a sense of belonging.

Participants also highlighted the quality of the welcome they received and the willingness of the host organisations to share experiences and build future partnerships. Direct contact with professionals from different organisations reinforced the importance of international cooperation and peer learning in addressing the challenges of social inclusion and cultural diversity.

Applying the lessons learned to the FCL's intervention

The lessons learnt will now be carried forward at the Fundação Cidade de Lisboa through the internal sharing of best practice and the integration of new methodologies into the activities carried out with migrants and other adult groups. It is hoped that this experience will help to strengthen the FCL’s work in promoting intercultural understanding, active participation and social inclusion, whilst also fostering the development of new European partnerships.

Erasmus+: investing in capacity-building and internationalisation

This mobility initiative forms part of the AprendEU II project, developed under the Fundação Cidade de Lisboa’s Erasmus+ Accreditation, which promotes international learning opportunities for staff, trainers and learners, strengthening the organisation’s skills and the quality of its work within the community. Further mobility opportunities will take place under this project until August 2028 – stay tuned for the latest updates!