Balance4Autism – Digital Adult Learning Model for Family Wellbeing is an Erasmus+ small-scale partnership in adult education, co-funded by the European Union. The project number is 2026-1-PL01-KA210-ADU-000460758. It brings together organisations from Poland, Italy and Lithuania to develop a learning pathway focused on family wellbeing and designed to support parents and carers of children with autism and other special educational needs.
On 13 October 2026, the partners met online for the project’s kick-off meeting. This first joint meeting gave them the opportunity to introduce their organisations, clarify their roles and build a shared understanding of the project’s objectives, activities and timetable.
The partnership brings together SENSE, the Polish organisation coordinating the project; FICUS ETS, based in Palermo, Italy; and ZISPB, from Lithuania. Each partner presented its organisation, areas of expertise, target groups and contribution to the project.
Following the welcome and introductions, SENSE presented the project’s objectives, expected results, work plan and timetable. Balance4Autism responds to the need for structured learning opportunities and practical tools that can help parents and carers strengthen their wellbeing, develop strategies for challenging situations and build sustainable family routines.
FICUS ETS presented the dissemination and communication strategy. The partners discussed the audiences they aim to reach, the project’s visual identity, communication channels and visibility requirements. They also considered how to coordinate their communication so that families, adult educators, training providers, associations and local services can learn about the project and its results.
ZISPB introduced the evaluation and quality plan, including the approach, indicators and tools that will be used to monitor progress and assess results. Evaluation will help the partners check whether project activities respond to participants’ needs and identify improvements as the model is developed and tested.
A key part of the meeting was the official launch of Activity A2, which focuses on developing the methodological framework for the Interactive Family Wellbeing Toolkit. SENSE presented the scope and approach of the activity, and the partners discussed the division of tasks, deadlines and steps needed to create a clear and coherent learning model. This work will provide the foundation for the resources and tools to be developed in the next project phases.
The project will produce an accessible digital toolkit featuring four learning units, short practical activities for everyday family life and a tool to help families create a personalised Family Wellbeing Plan. The model will then be piloted in the three partner countries with around 45 parents and carers, 15 in each country, through facilitated sessions and individual activities.
At the end of the meeting, the partners reviewed the agreed actions and upcoming deadlines. They also began planning the next coordination milestones, including a further online meeting and the first transnational project meeting in Poland.
The kick-off meeting marked the start of Balance4Autism’s joint work. The partners have agreed on shared priorities and responsibilities and launched the first methodological activity. Over the coming months, they will work together to develop and test learning resources designed to support parents and carers and make adult education more accessible, practical and responsive to families’ needs.
