KNOWLO PROJECT
- Adela Vitkovska
- Nov 29, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Good Practice
Project Reference: 2021-1-LV01-KA220-VET-000029991
Project
Start date 01-11-2021
End date 31-12-2023
EU Grant - 294.244,00 €
Programme Erasmus+
Key Action - Partnerships for cooperation and exchanges of practices
Action Type - Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
Countries covered - 4
Topics
Key competences development
New learning and teaching methods and approaches
Pedagogy and didactics
The Erasmus+ program of the European Union funds the Knowlo project No. 2021-1-LV01-KA220-VET-000029991. This project aimed to develop a framework and methodologies for the staff & the educational institutions to help them become SMART Learning organizations of the 21st century. This project was designed to supplement vocational higher educational organizations, with various frameworks, methodologies, databases as well as tools that empowered them to measure their strengths & overcome the limitations. The framework & methodologies designed in this project can be implemented by any educational organisation, looking forward to becoming a SMART learning organization of the 21st Century.
Main features of the KNOWLO project:
Designing & developing methodologies and frameworks suitable for SMART schools (Learning organizations of the 21st century). Methodologies developed taking into consideration intended learning outcomes (ILO) of specific stakeholder and end-user requirements in all partner regions. The developed framework will be validated with EFQM quality standards and compared for efficiency with other developed frameworks & methodologies.
Design & development of the self-evaluation methodology, taking into consideration organizational & individual perspectives. Digital tools to facilitate the self-evaluation process, translation of results, and easy access.
Definition of specific stakeholder and end-user requirements in the partner regions
Development of Benchmarking rules & regulations for easy exchange of information, including support tools. Developing training materials & modules to explain the developed benchmarking method.
Developing a database to support (training methods/activities/resource collection). The database is intended to help in the selection of training methods/activities/resources as well as best practices in all fields of the SMART framework.
Designing & developing a Basic eLearning module on How to become a SMART organization. Development of methodology for successful knowledge sharing among the organizations. Designing a framework to enable cross-border knowledge sharing on virtual platforms.
Background
KNOWLO® system is a new educational initiative with the potential to revolutionise the way educational organisations operated. To be successful in the 21st century, all components of an organisation needed to be in balance and harmony, while also integrating innovative practices, comparing themselves with others, and learning from them. However, many educational institutions struggled to find a systematic way to achieve these aims.
The KNOWLO project sought to change this by providing a comprehensive system that integrated a collection of specific tools and a supportive methodology known as the “7 Steps of Transformation”, designed to facilitate the evolution of any type of educational organisation into a SMART Learning Organisation.
The KNOWLO® system was based on the newly developed KNOWLO® Framework — a total quality management–inspired model that combined principles of excellent educational organisations with the concept of the Learning Organisation, while respecting the specific characteristics of the educational environment. It addressed essential aspects such as the SMART Learning Organisation’s focus on organisational culture and core values, clarity of strategy, mission, and vision, the development of inspirational leadership, and the ability of the organisation to grow through shared learning and purposeful transformation.
Objectives
The KNOWLO project partnership aimed to develop a brand-new framework for SMART Learning Organisations. This innovative methodology was intended to guide teachers, trainers, and management staff step by step towards becoming a learning organisation and using their existing potential to the fullest.
A comprehensive self-evaluation tool for VET schools and educational organisations was developed to support users in learning from one another, sharing best practices, and continuously improving. The project was built on the belief that this powerful solution would generate a stronger and more meaningful impact.
The project sought to ensure easy access to personal and organisational progress by creating a SMART Learning Organisation self-evaluation tool. This tool was designed to help VET schools and educational institutions assess their performance and effectiveness in their transformation journey — from traditional organisations to SMART Learning Organisations.
The assessment model operates on two levels: personal and organisational. Its purpose was to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and make knowledge transfer simple, practical, and embedded in everyday organisational life.
Partners
Starptautiska Kosmetologijas koledza 🇱🇻 Latvia
International College of Cosmetology based in Riga, Latvia is the lead partner & coordinator for the Knowlo project. Established in the year 2003, it is engaged in providing Professional first Level Diploma in higher education in the field of Aesthetic Cosmetology & Therapeutic massage. ICC’s has its own Salon enabling students to take up practice or internship in house and gain practical knowledge from the experts or alumni’s. ICC has 40 plus international partners and is awarded with Baltic Prestige Award. ICC is an EFQM Certified College that has successfully accomplished various Erasmus plus projects including the ESF project on sustainable economic growth in good governance. With continuous research & development and effective implementation of digital learning platforms, ICC sets forth an example on how to be a SMART learning organization of the 21st century.
Eurofortis IT 🇱🇻 Latvia
EuroFortis IT SIA is a dynamic Czech-Latvian consultation, training and software development center based in Riga. Eurofortis IT is engaged in development and maintaining of customized quality assessment and monitoring tools like: for example: Personal excellence assessment; Organizational excellence assessment; sector monitoring tools used by local authorities; tools for supporting accreditation and audit; Improvement planning; Complex online survey tools; benchmarking databases for a specific sector. Eurofortis IT is also an internal EFQM Assessor (IAT) and their experience covers various activities connected to EFQM implementation.
EURORESO 🇮🇹 Italy
EURORESO is a network that has been in existence for several decades, currently, the EURORESO network involves 63 partners from 30 different European countries. EURORESO has participated in virtually all types of European transnational programmes and its members have extensive experience as single and collective entities. The association consists of acting members, associate members and honorary members. Its membership now includes partners from all over Europe with wide experience and proven expertise in education and training in various sectors, including social inclusion, migrant integration, women rights and equality. EURORESO has participated as a partner in numerous projects and its members have carried out several successful network projects under the Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig, KA2 Languages and Erasmus+ programmes.
HARMONY ACADEMY s.r.o. 🇸🇰 Slovakia
HARMONY Academy (HA) is an innovative language school with its own Centre of Innovation Learn & Lead. It operates in the whole of Slovakia and has got learning partnerships formed both within Slovakia and the European Union. The basic underlying pedagogical philosophy of the company is the STUDENT-CENTRED APPROACH. Over the years HARMONY has developed its own course management system in the developmental strategy of Learn & Lead. Harmony Academy also provides innovative language training programs to individuals and companies throughout Slovakia. It is also accredited by the Ministry of Education for innovative teacher-training courses and by the Slovak Association of Language Schools for the Learn & Lead certification of language teachers and trainers.
KATOLICKA UNIVERZITA V RUZOMBERKU 🇸🇰 Slovakia
The Catholic University (KU) in Ruzomberok is a public university that performs its activities mainly in the fields of historical, humanities, pedagogical, natural, social and health sciences, but also in the fields of art, economics, management and law. The university education at the Faculty of Education is based on the European Credit Transfer
System (ECTS), which guarantees the compatibility with the leading educational institutions and therefore the student mobility is possible among the universities in the whole European Union. KU has carried out more than 260 projects and has already coordinated or participated as partner in some Erasmus Plus projects. The Faculty of Education, Catholic University (FE CU) is the largest faculty of education in the Slovak Republic, which prepares more than 63,000 teaching staff postgraduates.
SCHOLA EMPIRICA ZS 🇨🇿 Czechia
SCHOLA EMPIRICA, is an independent, non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit organization. It was established in 2003 to support independent policy research in the Czech Republic. It provides a platform for Czech and international experts to carry out research in areas with significant implications for public policy. Based on objective qualitative and quantitative analysis, the SE strives to implement innovative solutions to problems in these fields. The aim of the organization is to contribute to international discussions on education and the economy as well as social and education issues. The SE is an accredited educational institution by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the Czech R.Within the framework of national and international educational projects SE has established partnerships and cooperates with over 120 preschools across the Czech Republic, educational and research organizations in Slovakia, Poland and UK, and other countries in Europe.
Results by categories
Practical & reusable resources for the practitioners
R5 - Guidelines for the SMART Learning organisations
R1 - Development of the methodological framework for SMART Learning organisations
R4 - Learning and sharing resource database
R5 - Guidelines for the SMART Learning organisations
R4 - Learning and sharing resource database
Community building tools
R2 - Self-evaluation tool for the VET schools/educational organisations as the Learning organisations
R3 - Learning and sharing platform with SMART TOOLKIT
Organizational and working documents
R1 - Development of the methodological framework for SMART Learning organisations
Results to download / online portals
KNOWLO® PLATFORM WITH TOOLS
Result 2 (R2) developed a Self-evaluation tool for VET schools and other educational organizations to assess themselves against the KNOWLO framework. This tool operates at both personal and organizational levels and is available in multiple languages. It integrates with Result 3 and is accessible on the project website. To date, a number of self-assessments have been initiated, with fully completed and partially or ongoing. The KNOWLO project introduces an innovative methodology, combining various project outcomes to guide organizations in transitioning to Learning Organizations. Result 2 serves as the initial step in this transformation process. The methodology involves: Self-evaluation at personal and organizational levels. Guidance on effective learning and knowledge sharing. Utilization of benchmarking and learning/sharing database. Development of action plans for organizational transformation. Continuous improvement through repeated cycles of activities.
Result 3 (R3) is a pivotal product that consolidates the outcomes of R2, R4, and R5, aligning with the theoretical framework established in R1. It comprises a Platform with a SMART TOOLKIT, integrating products such as the self-assessment tool, benchmarking functionality, good practice database, and eLearning modules. Unlike traditional benchmarking databases, this platform emphasizes learning and sharing, offering unique opportunities for participants to contribute to and benefit from this collaborative movement. The KNOWLO® platform features various modules, including self-evaluation tools, reporting sections, benchmarking and benchlearning reports
KNOWLO FRAMEWORK
Result 1 (R1) culminated in the development of the KNOWLO® Framework, consisting of 7 criteria and 19 subcriteria delineating the principles of SMART Learning Organizations. This outcome stemmed from qualitative research involving a comparison with various models and frameworks, as well as surveys among 265 respondents. The KNOWLO® framework integrates elements from EFQM, ULCA framework, and Learn&Lead, and has been implemented in multiple languages. The project partnership completed R1, laying the groundwork for subsequent results. The innovation lies in its focus on three main pillars of educational quality: organizational excellence, teacher/trainer development and management, and student/trainee engagement. The study conducted in collaboration with local research and surveys provided valuable insights into the needs of educators.
KNOWLO® GUIDELINES
Result 5 (R5) comprises Guidelines for SMART Learning Organizations, offering a practical roadmap for organizations to navigate their journey towards becoming SMART Learning Organizations and engaging in learning and sharing activities. This methodology, termed the "7 Steps of Transformation," is detailed on the project website. 1. Decide to use the KNOWLO framework and tools and understand why you're using them. 2. Attend KNOWLO training. 3. Start an internal self-assessment project using KNOWLO 4. Launch the internal improvement plan project using KNOWLO 5. Evaluate the internal project 6. Learn from the transformation and adapt necessary changes 7. Repeat the process for continuous organizational transformation and improvement. Detailed files are available for download in PDF format below.
RESEARCH REPORT
In the R1 - A survey was conducted on 265 respondents from the Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Slovakia, and Spain, representing various roles like managers, teachers, trainers, administrative and technical staff, and students. The survey aimed to understand perspectives on four aspects of SMART learning organizations: Organizational self-awareness, strategy, and development. Learning, communication, and collaboration. Clients, sustainability, and product orientation. Digital transformation, global context, and value creation. Results showed that trainers prefer clear organizational strategy, excellence culture, innovative teaching methods, external networking, and stable rules. Teachers emphasize individual attention to clients/students, constructive feedback, lifelong learning, and organizational stability. Negative aspects include stress, lack of funding, and inadequate technical resources for online teaching.
KNOWLO® LEARNING - SHARING DATABASE (project version)
Result 4 (R4) comprises two main products: the Good Practice Database (Benchlearning Database) and the Resource Database. The Good Practice Database is integrated under Result 3 (R3) on the platform and features various sorting and filtering functions. It contains various good practices at the organizational user level as well as good practices at the individual user level in English & partner languages. The RD offers examples of methodologies and tools for implementing the SMART Learning Organization concept and is available as a PDF file. It includes resources that are accessible in English, Latvian, Slovak, Czech, and Italian languages. The innovation lies in the Benchlearning Database, which emphasizes active learning and adaptation beyond traditional benchmarking. It allows users to compare and learn from best practices, aiding in the development of improvement plans.
PROJECT GALLERY AND NEWS
Post-Knowlo Project Sustainability and Dissemination in Action at Dicle University in Turkey.
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project Final Conference in Riga (Latvia), Dec 2023
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project Fifth Transnational Project Meeting in Riga (Latvia), Dec 2023
C1, Learning Teaching Training Activity LTTA 2 in Riga (Latvia)
C2, Learning Teaching Training Activity LTTA 1 in Slovakia
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project Fourth Transnational Project Meeting in Pinerolo (Italy), May 2023
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project Second Transnational Project Meeting in Riga (Latvia), June 2022
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project Second Transnational Project Meeting in Riga (Latvia), June 2022
Erasmus+ KNOWLO Project First Transnational Project Meeting in Ruzomberok (Slovakia), February 2022
NEWSLETTERS
ENGLISH
LATVIAN
CZECH
SLOVAK
ITALIAN
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