Selçuk University (Türkiye)
Selçuk University, founded in 1908 in Konya, is among the most comprehensive higher education institutions in Türkiye. With over 70,000 students and more than 4,000 academic staff, it offers programs in social sciences, education, health, and engineering. The university stands out for its commitment to academic excellence, internationalization, and community oriented research.
Through its numerous faculties and research centers, Selçuk University plays a pivotal role in advancing lifelong learning and social innovation in Türkiye. Its mission emphasizes equality in education, sustainable development, and active citizenship. The university regularly cooperates with public institutions, NGOs, and international organizations, integrating theory with social practice.
As a recognized actor in Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and national R&D programs, the institution has accumulated strong experience in education modernization, digital transformation, and inclusion policies. Its infrastructure supports large-scale European partnerships, and its academic teams bring interdisciplinary expertise in adult learning, psychology, education, and social sciences. Selçuk University’s culture of collaboration and innovation enables it to contribute effectively to European educational and social objectives.
Compass – Beratung, Begleitung und Training Gemeinnützige GmbH (Austria)
Compass GmbH is a non-profit organization based in Graz, Austria, dedicated to adult learning, mentoring, and personal development. Since its establishment, Compass has worked to promote social integration, employability, and well-being among adults, with a special focus on disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
The organization’s philosophy is rooted in empowerment through self-awareness and guided learning. It develops innovative training and counselling models that support emotional intelligence, communication skills, and motivation. Its trainers, mentors, and psychologists are experienced in designing personalized learning paths that respond to individual needs.
Compass collaborates with regional and European networks in education, social inclusion, and migration. It has coordinated and participated in numerous Erasmus+ projects, producing open educational resources and mentoring methodologies for adult educators. Through its holistic and human-centered approach, Compass has become a reference institution in Austria for inclusive and psychological approaches to adult education.
San Giuseppe ONLUS (Italy)
San Giuseppe ONLUS is a long-standing non-governmental and non-profit organization located in southern Italy. It operates within the Caritas network and serves as a community center offering educational, social, and psychological support for vulnerable populations. The organization is guided by the values of solidarity, dignity, and inclusion, and has a strong grassroots presence in its local community.
Its activities encompass support for women, migrants, youth, and families through non-formal education, volunteering, and community empowerment. San Giuseppe ONLUS implements diverse programs addressing poverty reduction, intercultural dialogue, and the promotion of equal opportunities.
Over the years, it has built strong partnerships with local institutions, municipalities, and international organizations, making it an active participant in the European civil society network. Its team consists of educators, social workers, and psychologists who work together to create transformative educational experiences that promote both personal growth and collective engagement. The organization is highly regarded for its ability to link social service with educational innovation.
Amadora Inovation EM Unipessoal LDA (Portugal)
Amadora Inovation (AINOVA) is a municipal entity established by the City of Amadora, near Lisbon, to promote innovation, education, and social development. It operates as a key interface between local government, education providers, and the community. AINOVA designs and implements projects that foster entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and digital inclusion, contributing to sustainable urban development.
The organization is deeply involved in educational planning and local policy development, collaborating with schools, universities, and non-governmental organizations. It coordinates initiatives that help reduce early school leaving, promote youth participation, and support adult learning through innovative training models.
AINOVA’s team integrates expertise from fields such as education management, urban innovation, and social entrepreneurship. Its multidisciplinary structure allows it to transform policy ideas into concrete programs that benefit citizens. As a municipal innovation center, it represents a bridge between local authorities and European cooperation networks, making it a key actor in the implementation of inclusive learning and employment policies in Portugal.
Meram Public Education Center and Evening Art School
Meram Public Education Center and Evening Art School is a public institution operating under the Turkish Ministry of National Education, Directorate General for Lifelong Learning. Established in 1962 as the Konya Central Public Education Directorate and renamed in 1988 after Konya became a metropolitan city, the Center has been a cornerstone of adult and community education in the region for more than sixty years.
The institution’s mission is to make lifelong learning accessible to everyone and to provide learning opportunities that support both personal and professional development. It offers education and training in 72 program areas, with the capacity to organize more than 2,700 different courses (covering vocational, digital, cultural, artistic, and literacy programs). These activities are designed to enhance employability, promote inclusion, and strengthen social participation.
The Center has a dynamic structure consisting of 1 Director, 4 Deputy Directors, 1 accountant, 24 full-time teachers (14 on temporary assignment), 6 administrative officers (4 temporary), 4 service staff, 1 permanent worker, and about 154 part-time master trainers, in addition to contracted experts engaged for specific courses. Each year, 30,000–40,000 learners benefit from the institution’s educational services.
In recent years, the Center has placed a strong focus on young people and women who are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Through targeted non-formal learning programs, mentoring, and skill-based workshops, it supports NEET individuals in improving their self-confidence, acquiring new professional skills, and reconnecting with education and the labour market. The institution’s experience in outreach and inclusive education makes it particularly effective in engaging disadvantaged learners who face social or emotional barriers to participation. Meram Public Education Center is recognized regionally for its inclusive approach and its ability to create bridges between education, employment, and community life. With its experienced staff, broad course portfolio, and strong local network, it plays an important role in empowering NEET groups — especially young women — to gain confidence, build employability skills, and actively participate in social and economic life.
Consortium Character
The MAYA consortium represents a balanced collaboration among universities, public education centers, non-profit organizations, and municipal bodies. Each institution contributes unique expertise, complementary strengths, and established community networks. Together, they reflect a shared European commitment to lifelong learning, gender equality, and the empowerment of young women.
This partnership combines academic research, field experience, and institutional policy capacity, ensuring that the project’s outcomes are both scientifically grounded and socially meaningful. The diversity of contexts—spanning Türkiye, Austria, Italy, and Portugal—enriches the project’s perspectives and strengthens its transnational value.