In June 2021, the Skillman Alliance strengthened its cooperation with NKey srl a highly qualified Italian ICT company with experience in research and development of integrated systems and services for business innovation. Since 2010, Nkey has been actively participating in European Projects developed within the Erasmus+ programme. This participation also led to the “VIRAL for Local Communities” project, of which the company is coordinator.

The project is designed to support individual states in promoting Europe’s human and social potential while developing long-term educational programmes using innovative learning methods. In particular, the aim of the project is to incorporate virtual reality into adult education and particularly into the inclusion of new migrants in small communities.

VIRAL intends to provide anyone working in the field of adult education (training and language schools, public administrations, first reception centres, cultural associations and libraries) with a useful tool to foster integration and mutual knowledge through the use of VR technology.

The validity of the project emerged during the research and experimentation phase, in which it was highlighted how virtual reality can be a particularly effective tool in the integration process, also used “in reverse”, i.e. by making “educational” videos dedicated to locals, videos structured with the intention of creating empathy, forcing the viewer to experience a situation of difficulty or embarrassment “in the shoes of the other”.

The final product will be what has been called the “Cross Cultural Toolbox”: a digital platform, absolutely free of charge and accessible to all by entering the TOOLBOX on the project website, accessible here (only the italian version is available).

The new MoU will bring benefits to both sides. In particular, in coherence with their objectives, will be actively involved in and contribute to promoting innovative solutions in their respective fields of skills development, education and training; events, presentations, and international projects. This new cooperation is aimed at establishing a mutually beneficial collaboration with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development and promotion of both parties’ activities.