The strategic objective of EUCU.NET is to consolidate the existing Children's Universities and enhance their further growth throughout Europe. Hereby it is intended to cement already existing procedures in order to successfully achieve the above aims. Furthermore, it is intended to increase interaction among member states and to extent existing practices in a professional and concerted manner.

EUCU.NET will contribute to a substantial increase in scientific awareness among children and young people. It will overcome stereotypes and outdated notions about science in general and it will change the perceptions young people have about scientific careers in general possibly even creating new academic role models. All of which are inevitable prerequisites to fostering participation from children in all social sectors of society.

The Timeframe

Phase 1 (March 2008 – December 2008): Review

The most important objective of this phase is to identify the existing Children’s Universities and to analysis their reports, evaluations and so on. Furthermore, this phase will include compiling a detailed description of the respective aims and concepts of these Universities and formalizing a schedule of current activities. The range of data will be gathered in a database and a bibliography which will then serve as a source of information for all. Research results will be summarized and potential lack in impact analysis uncovered. The results will be made available to academic and policy audiences and the public at large.

Phase 2 (December 2008 – December 2009): Network and quality development

EUCU.NET will establish an interactive and collaborative Web Portal with the intension of supporting the interaction and exchange of information and providing ongoing support for members. In this respect a Web2.0 approach will be pursued in an attempt to foster the involvement of key players and practitioners.

In February 2009 an initial conference will take place in Tübingen, Germany. In autumn/ winter 2009 a follow-up Twin City Conference will take place in Bratislava/Slovakia and Vienna/Austria. The conferences will bring together already established and experiences Children’s Universities organisers and those still in a planning phase. They will provide a platform for policy makers, educational researchers, experts in didactics, scientific journalists, representations from industry, research organisations, universities and the like.

EUCU.NET will establish Mentoring Partnerships who will foster the transfer of know-how and create a framework for cooperation. It is expected that the Mentoring Partnerships will provide a sustained spread of excellence and will strengthen generally the whole idea of the Children’s Universities. A prerequisite to participation in a partnership is that mentoring partners come from different countries in order to help promote a broad European network.

Implementation guidance notes and monitoring criteria for organisers of Children’s Universities shall be compiled from the results of a review of existing concepts and available literature (research reports, impact analyses, didactical evaluation and the like).

Phase 3 (December 2009 – March 2010): Documentation of Results

The major outcome of EUCU.NET will be the preparation of a White Paper, which will comprise all facets of the project (implementation guidance notes, monitoring criteria, review of the current state of the impact analysis, benchmarking of concepts, summarising experiences gained from mentoring Partnerships and compiling a contact list). This paper will illustrate the overall state of the Children’s University approach in Europe and will also serve as a reference book for further promotion and development of Children’s Universities throughout Europe.

EUCU.NET is funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), Science in Society.