The #SkillAiPlus partner in Romania organized new #antibullying workshops. The students in the 7th and 8th grade were very happy to experience a set of activities that were meant to raise awareness about bullying, encourage empathy and help them better understand the importance of respect and kindness in their everyday interactions.

The students were very cooperative and actively involved throughout the workshop. They openly shared their ideas, listened to one another and participated enthusiastically in the discussions and activities. Their willingness to communicate and work together created a positive and supportive atmosphere, making the workshop both engaging and meaningful.

Some of the activities were inspired by principles and exercises from Aikido, introducing the students to simple practices focused on stance, grounding, balance, focus and connection with others. Through these exercises, the students were encouraged to become more aware of their body language, their presence and the way they interact with those around them. The activities offered a different and engaging way to explore calmness, self-control, mutual respect and cooperation, showing how these principles can also support positive communication and help prevent conflict.

Through all the activities, the students had the opportunity to reflect on how their words and actions can affect others and to explore practical ways of preventing and responding to bullying. It was a valuable experience that reminded everyone that creating a safe and inclusive school environment is a shared responsibility.

Here, students are introduced to an approach that translates Aikido principles into practical skills for everyday life. Through movement, collaboration and interactive exercises, they explore themes such as confidence, respect, communication, and resilience. They experience that Aikido is not about strength or competition, but about learning together and dealing with challenges in a positive way.

The Amsterdam activities are part of the SkillAiPlus Roadshow, through which schools discover the method and the possibilities for applying it within their own environment.

After the summer, new activities are planned in Haarlem, The Hague and Groningen.

To be continued!

Through exercises inspired by Aikido, they discovered how movement can contribute to self-confidence, respect and positive collaboration. The group’s enthusiastic participation made this final lesson a successful conclusion to the season.

Are you interested in SkillAI Plus for your dojo or school? Feel free to contact us. We would be happy to think along with you about the possibilities for the new school year.

Through practical exercises based on the principles of Triangle, Circle and Square, participants discovered how movement can help develop awareness, cooperation and constructive communication.

These activities encouraged pupils and teachers alike to reflect on choices, connection and stability in everyday interactions.

What stood out throughout the sessions was the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants.

Many quickly recognised that Aikido is not about competition or winning, but about respect, balance and working together.

These are skills that can support positive relationships both inside and outside the classroom.

A sincere thank you to the schools, teachers and pupils who took part and helped make these workshops such a positive experience.

Together, we continue to build confidence, self-awareness and respectful communication through movement.

Following the session, animated by SkillAiPlus teacher Norbert Hochstrasser, the kids put their acquired skills into practice in situational exercises.

#SkillAiPlus  method teaches them mutual respect, acceptance and self-confidence, building on the principles of Aikido and the four pillars of Non-Violent Communication.

The session provided an opportunity to share knowledge and present valuable educational resources developed to support antibullying instruction. It was inspiring to connect with teachers from different countries who share the same commitment to creating safe, engaging and meaningful learning experiences for young ones/young aikidoka.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and is helping to spread the word and skills across the international Aikido community. 

We are excited to see students actively participating, sharing ideas and learning new ways to recognize and prevent bullying.

Together, we continue building a culture of respect, inclusion and positive  citizenship.

The past month was highly productive for our project and strongly focused on this very future.

Gimnazija Kranj - At the beginning and end of May, the Slovenian Team conducted two outstanding events, reaching a total of 110 students and 13 teachers. Through movement and experiential learning, they addressed the dynamics of peer violence while exploring peaceful conflict resolution, confidence building and fostering respectful relationships.

Collaboration with Medobčinska zveza prijateljev mladine Velenje - On May 12th, the Team met at their headquarters to outline the next key steps: Summer - The 🇸🇮 Team will implement the SkillAiPlus method at summer camps for children from socially disadvantaged families in Mozirje, Poreč, and Debeli Rtič. Then September - the 🇸🇮 Team will be developing a project of SkillAiPlus workshops for peer violence prevention, which will be offered to elementary schools in Velenje.

The Romanian SkillAi Trainers and Teachers talked with the students about respect, empathy, communication and the role each of us can play in creating a safer and more supportive school environment. The students showed great engagement, shared valuable perspectives and actively contributed to meaningful conversations.

A big thank you to the students, teachers and school staff for their openness, enthusiasm and warm welcome!

Happy to see so many young people committed to building positive relationships and standing up against bullying!

During this inspiring event, participants came together to explore innovative approaches to preventing and addressing bullying in educational environments.

Through interactive activities, collaborative discussions and practical games, our partner in Hungary strengthened the understanding of inclusion, empathy and positive communication.

Together, we are taking important steps toward building a culture of respect, understanding and well-being for everyone. 

Today’s kick-off at the Gimnazija Kranj secondary school was a great success, with nearly 40 students and 5 teachers joining the workshops of our partner in Slovenia.

Through the SkillAiPlus method and the principles of martial arts, we are working together to address the key challenges of peer violence.

Our goal is to empower young people with constructive conflict resolution skills, build their self-confidence and establish a culture of respect within the school environment.

Together, we are creating a space where every individual feels safe and heard.

The #SkillAiPlus educational program, cofunded by the European Union and implemented in Greece by the Aikikai of Greece Federation, includes training for teachers, social workers and psychologists working in the field of education, as well as for primary and secondary school students.

Today’s program included an introduction to SkillAiPlus exercises for children, with the active participation of the instructors (SkillAi Trainers) and their teachers (SkillAi Teachers). The participants showed great interest in the activities and, by following the instructors’ guidance, engaged with the core principles of the program.

We would like to thank the Mayor of Nafplio, Mr. Dimitrios Orfanos, the Deputy Mayor of Education and Lifelong Learning, Ms. Angeliki Panagiotakopoulou, for her full support and the cooperation of her office in organizing the event, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Sports and Youth, Mr. Ilias Mantzavrakos, for granting the use of the DAK for the event!

In closing, many thanks to the municipal employees for their valuable assistance!

Considering that the event was highly successful in the city of Nafplio, we hope for the continuation of our collaboration on the issue of school bullying.

They visited:

📍 Elementary School in Škofja Loka

📍 PUM-O Škofja Loka (Project Learning for Young Adults)

What happened at the workshops?

They didn't just talk – they got active!

Through practical exercises based on the SkillAi method and the principles of Aikido, they:

•explored how to respond to conflicts peacefully,

•strengthened inner stability and self-confidence,

•learned mutual respect and empathy through movement and spatial awareness.

The energy of the participants was truly inspiring!

Seeing young people actively reflecting on how to improve relationships within their groups is the best validation of our work. 

A huge thank you to both organizations for their hospitality and to all participants for their openness and effort! Together, we are building a space where violence has no place.

Using interactive scenarios, special exercises and teamwork, the group looked at different forms of bullying, its consequences and practical ways to respond and prevent it. The activities helped them better understand both the emotional impact and the importance of taking good action.

Throughout the workshop, special attention was given to values like empathy, respect, kindness and responsibility—essential elements in creating supportive and inclusive communities.

By the end of the workshop, participants walked away with new perspectives, useful tools and a stronger sense of how they can contribute to a positive environment.

To wrap up the day, everyone enjoyed some delicious Japanese sushi together, celebrating the experience with smiles and great conversations.

Through real-life scenarios and group activities, the teens explored what bullying looks like, how it affects individuals and communities and how it can be prevented.

A key part of the workshop highlighted the importance of positive values such as empathy, respect, kindness and responsibility. 

Participants learned that small, everyday choices—standing up for someone, offering support or simply listening—can make a big difference.

By the end of the session, the group not only gained practical tools to recognize and respond to bullying, but also a deeper understanding of how strong values help build safer, more inclusive environments for everyone.

At the end, everyone enjoyed some good sushi and Japanese dessert together, sharing laughs and positive moments after a meaningful experience.

A total of 110 students joined, filling the space with enthusiasm, curiosity and positive energy. Seeing even more young participants come together shows how strongly this initiative is growing and how important these classes are for children and youth.

During this second edition, students actively engaged in activities focused on antibullying awareness, respect, collaboration and confidence-building through movement and shared experiences. It was powerful to witness how quickly they connected, supported one another and embraced new perspectives in such a dynamic and safe environment.

This event represents another important step forward for SkillAiPlus as we continue creating meaningful learning opportunities that empower children and young people with future-ready skills for a safer, more respectful society.

A heartfelt thank you to the schools, teachers, instructors and everyone who made this second event possible. Your commitment and passion are what turn these moments into truly impactful experiences.

We are proud of the growing community around SkillAiPlus!

Partners from Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia came together to review progress and shape the next steps of the project.

The meeting opened with a presentation by the Spanish partner, who shared the actions implemented so far in Spain, highlighting the strong engagement of schools and teachers. The response from the Ministry of Education and the wider educational community has been especially encouraging, with growing interest from both educators and students.

Discussions continued with outlining the upcoming implementation steps, key tasks ahead, reporting guidelines to ensure the quality and impact of all activities, but also with sharing the challenges each country faces in preventing and addressing bullying, along with an exchange of practical ideas to strengthen school interventions.

Around 90 students from four different schools came together to take part in the first SkillAiPlus children & youth event, bringing energy and curiosity with them. It was inspiring to see so many young minds eager to explore, learn and discover new antibullying perspectives in such a dynamic environment.

The event marked an important step for SkillAiPlus, as we continue to create meaningful opportunities for children and young people to engage, grow and build future-ready skills for a safer place.

Seeing students connect, collaborate and actively participate made this first edition a real success.

A big thank you to the schools, teachers, the instructors and everyone involved in making this morning in Granada such a memorable start.

This is only the beginning — more to come!

Many thanks to the local magazine El Comarcal de la Alpujarra for showcasing our wonderful event in Spain!

https://elcomarcaldelaalpujarra.com/mas-de-200-escolares.../

The first round of activities at Cluj was coordinated by the Hungarian partner team, who led an engaging and insightful session on non-violent communication.

This essential topic set the tone for deeper discussions on strategies to effectively prevent and address bullying in schools, highlighting the importance of empathy, active listening and respectful dialogue in the classroom and not only.

Another activity within the SkillAiPlus antibullying seminar in Cluj brought a fresh and dynamic perspective, thanks to the Spanish partner team.

In an inspiring and interactive session, participants explored the connection between Aikido movements and antibullying strategies. Aikido, a martial art rooted in harmony and redirection rather than confrontation, served as a powerful metaphor for handling conflict with calm, balance and control.

The school teachers, staff and partners representatives were eager to learn how physical movement can mirror emotional resilience and peaceful conflict resolution in school settings.

This approach added a physical, experiential layer to our understanding of how to respond to bullying—not with aggression, but with centeredness and confidence.

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

The focus of the gathering was to explore the use of Aikido, a non-violent Japanese martial art, as a powerful tool for fostering emotional regulation, self-confidence and peaceful conflict resolution—key elements in the fight against bullying.

This initiative is part of the broader SkillAiPlus project, a Europe-wide effort aimed at equipping young people and professionals with practical skills to prevent bullying and promote inclusion through innovative methods. The Granada event marks another significant step in Spain’s contribution to the project, combining physical movement with emotional intelligence in an engaging and meaningful way.

Stay tuned for more SkillAiPlus events and training opportunities across Europe!

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

The event focused on raising awareness of the project’s core mission: empowering schools with the skills and tools to prevent bullying through innovative, educational practices.

Held in a collaborative and informative setting, the event brought together a wide group of teachers from various educational levels. The Spanish team presented the objectives and key components of SkillAiPlus, which aims to tackle bullying in school environments by developing social-emotional skills, providing educators with tools to detect and respond to bullying more effectively.

The event also featured interactive discussions and reflections, where educators discussed about experiences and challenges related to bullying. These conversations helped highlight the importance of equipping teachers with not only knowledge, but also actionable strategies to build safer and more inclusive school environments.

Participants expressed strong interest in the SkillAiPlus initiative, praising its relevance, innovative approach and the potential impact on student well-being.

This successful dissemination event marks a significant step in the project’s outreach efforts.

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

This month (April 2025) has been very productive for the Greece team, as we successfully completed two sessions of our Training of Trainers. The first session took place in the beautiful city of Nafplion last Saturday, April 5th. We followed up this great start with the second session, which was held in Athens today, April 12th. Both events provided a fantastic opportunity for learning and skill-sharing.

We've had such a great time during these sessions and are incredibly happy to share crucial education skills as part of this effort. This training supports the wider goals of the project.

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

This weekend of March (2025), we held the first #SkillAiPlus “Train the Trainer” workshop in the Netherlands, uniting Aikido instructors from various federations in a spirit of collaboration. 

With a highly engaged group of participants, we delved into how Aikido principles and techniques can promote positive behavior, self-awareness, communication, confidence and more in middle school students. 

The conversations around the modules were both insightful and inspiring, marking an important step in expanding Aikido’s influence on future generations! 

A big thank you to all! 

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

Such an inspiring spring day at Tada Ima Dojo in Esztergom, Hungary! 

Twelve high-level Aikido instructors received new SkillAi training and are now ready to spread Non-Violent Communication through Aikido principles. 

These instructors are committed to providing schoolchildren with tools to deal with bullying and aggressive behavior in peaceful ways.

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

The workshop organized by the Slovenian team of the SkillAiPlus project, this month (February 2025), was very interesting and enriching.

Some aspects were taught through games, in a joyful manner.

Also, very useful comments were gathered as a first feedback of the event. 

So excited to kick off the deployment of our method with newcomers to the SkillAi approach. Looking forward to seeing great results ahead!

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #antibullying #education #aikido

Exciting news! We've just completed our 3rd training session with professional mediators using the groundbreaking SkillAi method - developed by 7 amazing EU partner organizations through Erasmus+ co-funding.

Our participants are fired up and the feedback is incredible.

These skilled professionals are ready to make a real difference in schools, helping to reduce bullying and create safer learning environments for our children.

Together, we're building a network of change-makers who will multiply positive impact across educational settings. Stay tuned for more updates! 

#SkillAiPlus #Education #ErasmusPlus

One of the General Assembly days included a section dedicated to regional federations and platforms, in order to present and promote the ongoing and future projects.

At the GA, all the SkillAiPlus partners representatives were in the audience (EAF, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Netherlands) and shared information about it with other representatives of the International Aikido Federation members.

Our European program has triggered interest for new such perspectives. 

#SkillAiPlus #education #aikido

They attended the General Assembly meetings as observers or delegates respectively and created new connections networking among the atendees.

#SkillAiPlus #education #aikido

We had an excellent kick-off of the SkillAiPlus project!

Very enthusiastic team! Good progress on the timeline of the activities of the project.

The drafts for several actions were drawn and soon we will reveal as they are going to be applied or implemented in the activities of the target groups.

#SkillAiPlus #ErasmusPlus #education

The meeting in the nice Hungarian town gathered the mediators of the Central European Mediation Institute and the instructors of the Mushinkai Aikido Association and the Venice Regional Sports Association to draw the first lines directing our goal within the framework of the "SkillAiPlus" program: to create a bullying-free environment in primary and secondary schools.

Gergő Pasqualetti, Head of the project coordinated by the European Aikido Association, explained to the audience that the first edition of this project was called "SkillAi" and it only targeted students, whereas now the intention is to expand it to a wider circle: to address and train teachers, social workers, school psychologists, school mediators. He also explained that in order to achieve this, we will use the basic principles and forms of movement of Aikido, which go beyond the martial art, with its spirit and knowledge.

The instructors and the mediators reviewed what kind of exercises have been developed in the original project and what can be keep from this for the present project, they discussed which would be the most suitable for the participants in the school mediation training to learn. There was also talk about what should still be worked on or changed in order to be effective.

As a base note, the goal of the European program SkillAiPlus is to create a bullying-free school environment. It is implemented within the framework of the European Aikido Association and funded by the European Commission. The meeting was organized in April 20, 2024.

The event was reflected in the local media by FEOL (Fejér county news portal).

Click here for the Article.