Research & Technological Development (RTD) lies at the heart of ShipCon’s mission. We firmly believe that sustainable economic development, organisational competitiveness, and societal progress depend on the continued investment in Research, Innovation, and Human Capital Development. ShipCon allocates more than 30% of its full-time workforce and over 25% of its annual turnover to R&D activities, reinforcing our commitment to generating new knowledge, improving learning methodologies, and bringing innovative services to the market.
ShipCon has a strong track record in EU-funded research and innovation programmes, having participated in large-scale projects in environment, energy, transport, education, digital transformation, skills development, and sustainability. With decades of combined experience in EU funding, proposal design, quality assurance, and innovation management, ShipCon is a valuable partner for any consortium seeking excellence in implementation and deliverables.
Our extensive European network and the multidisciplinary expertise of our consultants allow ShipCon to play a significant role in research design, stakeholder engagement, dissemination, exploitation, and sustainability planning. Over the years, we have contributed to and led work in major European frameworks such as LIFE+, Marco Polo, Intelligent Energy Europe, FP7, Horizon programmes, ENPI-MED, MED, and Structural Funds programmes. Beyond Europe, ShipCon has also collaborated in cooperation projects with pre-accession and EU candidate countries, extending our impact and knowledge-sharing to international contexts.
SHIPCON LIMASSOL – CYPRUS
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Research Excellence, Methodological Leadership & Strategic Impact
ShipCon Limassol, the headquarters of the ShipCon Group, serves as the organisation’s primary hub for research, methodology development, and strategic project leadership. With extensive experience in EU-funded programmes such as Horizon, FP7, LIFE+, Erasmus+, Interreg, MED, and other international cooperation initiatives, ShipCon Limassol brings exceptional analytical strength, quality assurance expertise, and high-level project management capacity to any consortium. Its multidisciplinary team of researchers, educators, and EU project specialists contributes to needs assessments, comparative studies, curriculum innovation, evaluation frameworks, impact methodologies, and sustainability strategies. ShipCon Limassol adds value by ensuring methodological rigor, evidence-based decision-making, and structured approaches that reinforce excellence across all stages of a project. As one of the most experienced research partners in the region, it enhances the credibility, visibility, and long-term relevance of EU-funded initiatives.
SHIPCON FORMACIÓN – SPAIN
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Piloting, Real-World Validation & Large-Scale Mobility Environments
ShipCon Formación acts as ShipCon’s national hub for field-based testing, mobility-driven research environments, and stakeholder engagement across Spain. With strong partnerships in schools, VET centres, adult education providers, companies, NGOs, and municipal bodies, ShipCon Formación provides consortia with authentic Spanish contexts for piloting training materials, validating educational tools, collecting stakeholder feedback, and implementing practical learning innovations. Its expertise in VET mobility, work-based learning, and professional development supports research activities that require usability testing, behavioural observation, labour-market insight, and real-environment evaluation. ShipCon Formación strengthens EU-funded projects by ensuring that innovations are tested with real users, in real workplaces, generating high-quality data, strong local involvement, and rich evidence to support the project’s transferability and impact throughout Europe.
SHIPCON ITALY
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Applied Research, Work-Based Learning & Community-Driven Insights
ShipCon Italy contributes unique added value to EU-funded projects through its capacity to provide work-based learning (WBL) environments, practical training contexts, and community-level insight rooted in Italian educational and labour-market ecosystems. Operating nationally, the organisation engages a broad network of VET institutions, SMEs, cultural organisations, municipal bodies, and social service structures, enabling robust involvement in applied research, needs assessment, field validation, and stakeholder consultation. ShipCon Italy is particularly valuable for projects requiring pilot implementation, sector-specific data collection, practical evaluation of training materials, and real-environment testing within diverse Italian industries such as hospitality, business, ICT, culture, sustainability, and social care. Its strong community connections and operational reliability make it a trusted partner for generating actionable findings and ensuring that research outputs reflect real-world needs and opportunities.
Together, the three ShipCon entities provide one of the most comprehensive and complementary research, training, mobility, and field-testing ecosystems in Europe. This makes ShipCon a uniquely strong partner for EU-funded projects requiring methodological expertise, real-world piloting, WBL environments, large-scale mobility coordination, and deep community engagement.
A selection of Research and Innovation Projects, where ShipCon participated in the last five years, can be seen below.
Erasmus+ KA2
JANUS: Youth vulnerabilities in a Europe without borders
Project Number: 2023-1-RO01-KA220-YOU-000154837
JANUS
The JANUS project wants to develop a response to the increasing need for support of vulnerable young people (VYP) who are facing mental health issues. JANUS wants to promote Autobiographical Theatre (AT) as a therapeutical methodology created by Domingo Ferrandis and specifically address young people with mental health to help them develop resilience and socialization skills in reaction to the crisis that they face
More information about the project – JANUS PROJECT WEBSITE
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Erasmus+ KA2
PREDICT: Jobs of the Future with AI 4 VET inclusion
Project number: 2022-1-PT01-KA220-VET-000085485
PREDICT
The PREDICT project intends to tackle current and upcoming challenges related to the next generation workforce, mainly those finishing VET programs or found in other similar training scenarios. Therefore, the project team believes that developing innovative and tailored solutions to close the digital mismatch gap of this target group is one of the most critical priorities leading towards a digital society and its needs. Besides, providing valuable tools and adapted curricula on digital skills for those who need or face reskilling is also a vital aspect this project wants to cover.
On the other hand, PREDICT also wants to build new approaches and methods by defining holistic strategies that incorporate inclusiveness, lifelong learning, and other mentor-related aspects that are crucial for the career path of this target group. VET students or pupils must have proper guidance and mentorship to achieve these new skills, mainly digital, properly. The challenges are various, and this project wants to enable the necessary triggers to help these students, pupils, or other people that also suffer from disadvantageous backgrounds and do not have the same opportunities to achieve or develop these skills.
More information about the project: www.predict.ipsantarem.pt
Erasmus+ KA2
NEW European citizens! Tools for the Inclusion of Migrants in European Society
NEW TIMES
This Erasmus Plus KA2 Project, Exchange of good practices aims to create a transnational network to promote the development and exchange of innovative practices aimed at supporting a more active participation of migrants and refugees from third countries in European society in terms of informed citizenship.
The main Results
R1) active involvement at local level and through the coordination of partner organizations, citizenship education experts and the various subjects involved in the training of migrants and refugees from third countries: linguistic and cultural mediators, educators, teachers of Education Centres for adults, social workers, pedagogists, operators of training agencies, voluntary associations, employment centres, etc.
R2) the development of new approaches, methods, tools dedicated to European citizenship education for effective social and political inclusion of migrants and refugees from third countries within European society. It will be an operational training model for European citizenship, dedicated to migrants and refugees from third countries, which, while taking into account the differences in national contexts, draws up common guidelines on active citizenship (NEW TIMES educational model)
R3) the preparation of a curriculum that highlights skills, knowledge and skills to be developed (both educators / mentors and migrants) and the index of training content to bedeveloped to meet the minimum agreed requirements
This will allow, to complete the project, to obtain the launch of transnational operational groups that can provide in the future for the design and implementation of self-consistent andmultilingual training modules, dedicated to migrants and refugees from third countries to guide them in the process of acquiring a more aware European citizenship.
Erasmus+ KA2
A hollistic approach of person-centred planning for people with Autism
AUTISM_PCP
It is widely accepted by the scientific community that children and adults with ASC (Autism Spectrum Conditions) are likely to have accompanying sensory difficulties. It is also scientifically proven that there are three major type of difficulties for ASC individuals: difficulties that are associated directly with their senses (sensory), cognitive difficulties & social difficulties (social interaction). These difficulties have – undoubtedly – a significant impact on their ability to function, process information, and often lead to raised anxiety and stress levels. It is therefore essential to know the specific type of difficulty for a ASC individual in order to comprehend fully the sensory difficulties; equally important, these difficulties need to be thoroughly taken into account in the Life Planning process of the ASC individual.
The main objectives :
– Empowerment of individuals at risk of social exclusion and more specifically empowerment of ASC individuals
– Strengthening of the overall effort for social inclusion and integration of ASC individuals at mainstream education & society at large
– Enhancing competences of professionals and all those individuals, such as family members & relatives, etc., involved in the life of ASC individuals
– Raise awareness to the general public with regards to social inclusion of pupils with Autism
Erasmus+ KA2
Empowering young adult learners with Special Educational Needs (SENpower)
Main Aim: Empowering young adult learners with Special Educational Needs’ (SENpower) project aims to bridge this gap by empowering a significant and even increasing percentage of youths with Special Educational Needs (SEN) by bringing the concept of entrepreneurship closer to young adult & VET learners with SEN. In other words, SEN young adults will be empowered with new skills and competences and this, in turn, will have a significant impact when it comes to active citizenship for these young people.
Objectives:
- ‘Extending and Developing educators’ competences’
- ‘Improving and extending the supply of high quality learning opportunities tailored to the needs of individuals’
- ‘Social inclusion’ of young adult & VET learners with SEN
- ‘Promotion of entrepreneurship education and social entrepreneurship
Erasmus+ KA2
Development of a V.E.T. Training Program to upgrade the Skills on Health and Safety
Risks for Offshore Construction Workers (SHIELD)
Main Aim: The aim of the SHIELD partnership is to thus improve the Skills and Habilities level of the Offshore Construction workers in Europe, especially those from South and Eastern countries, by providing knowledge about specific Health&Safety to VET stakeholders
through an innovative and open digital training toolbox.
Objectives:
- To develop a European qualification of the European Expert in H&S Offshore Construction (SHIELD) with certification at ECVET
level - To establish and pilot a Strategic Partnership comprising training institutions, industry and consultancies in the Offshore Industry
- To determine common professional skills of the H&S sector at EU level for the Offshore Construction industry
- To develop a common training programs based on industry requirements
- To presence train16 H&S Offshore Trainers according to a common develop training program and 24 trainers through the MOOC
platform - To test and validate the training
Erasmus+ KA1
Developing the new generation of Oil & Gas professionals in SE Mediterranean (OIL&GAS_PRO)
Main Aim: The main aim of the ‘Developing the new generation of Oil & Gas professionals in SE Mediterranean’ (‘OIL&GAS_PRO’) is to improve the skills and competences of recent graduates with no professional experience in the Oil&Gas Industry, and more specifically in the area of Health & Safety in Oil&gas. This, in turn, will reduce the risks of an offshore accident to occur, which can have tremendous consequences to the sensitive marine ecosystem of the SE Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
Objectives:
- To enhance the professional skills and competences of Cyprus human capital in the area of Health & Safety
- To enhance the professional knowledge and skills of professionals in dealing with major catastrophic events, such as Oil Spills
- To transfer the knowledge and best practices regarding Health & Safety from North of Europe to the Mediterranean Offshore Industry.
- To equip VET learners and VET staff with professional experience on dealing with Oil Spills & protection of critical asset infrastructure.
- To bridge the gap between the theoretical knowledge gained through tertiary education to the needs and requirements at practical level of the Oil&Gas Industry and, hence, to develop the next generation of Oil&Gas professionals in the SE Mediterranean
- To increase public awareness related to the importance of Health & Safety, as far as safety and protection of the marine environment is concerned.
Life+
Impact Assessment for the Adoption of CO2 Emission Trading for Maritime Transport (MaritimeCO2)
Main Aim: The overall objective of this project is to assess the possible environmental, social and financial impacts that are likely to arise from the adoption of a CO2 allowance trading scheme in three countries: Cyprus, Greece and Denmark.
Objectives/Expected Results: Analysis of the importance of the Greek, Cypriot and Danish Merchant Marine fleet for the global seaborne trade in terms of number of ships, tonnage volume and other quantitative and qualitative characteristics (fleet analysis, flag analysis, true ownership analysis, etc.) Collection of data regarding CO2 emissions, shipping routes, shipping volumes, fuel Consumption, technologies used etc from the participating countries. Scenario analysis for the ETS options and selection of final scenario. Statistical analysis of data using specialized software. Analysis of impacts in participating countries from the implementation of the selected scenario. Identification of constraints for the implementation of an ETS.
Marco Polo II
X-POSSE project
Main Aim: X-POSSE aims to bridge at list some of the gaps and to offer innovative training sessions and services through active involvement of professionals; maneuvering a ship, responding to an accident, communicating with the rail operator waiting at the port terminal. Adult professional education of he future cannot be formulated in the same passive, traditional, conventional yet very convenient way, if it is considered as an investment and as requirement.
Objectives/Expected Results:
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- Improving transport supplier’s understanding of intermodal freight transport as executives may ‘experience’ the operational environment of the ‘other’ modes;
- Demystifying the sea-rail and sea-river operations from an ‘ideal but theoretical solution’ to best-cases and marketing-attractive options; Improving market understanding on green logistics and highlight the ‘how to’ and ‘how to sell’;
- Improving shipper’s understanding of intermodal freight transport, as above yet with a focus on operational and cargo handling issues;
- Increasing the demand for modal shift from road transport to maritime, as ‘training’ and ‘habit’ barriers may erode; Improving cooperation between short sea shipping, port, rail, road and river operators as all training may dilute misunderstandings, misconceptions and divert their interest to the wider co-modal picture rather than the unproductive uni-modal one;
- Adapting procedures and methods in transport systems to meet today’s logistic requirements, as training improves understanding of the operations and increases efficiency;
- Improving procedures and methods in ports/terminals as professionals may get a better feeling of the risks of the transport operators.
Transferring Integrated Innovative Training Content on Maritime Studies
(TRANSMARS)
Main Aim: The project tackles the problem of lack of a holistic approach of training and education in the maritime sector, which is a vital economic sector for Cyprus economy.
Objectives/Expected Results:
- Improving the curriculum of maritime studies in Cyprus, by making use of the innovative content of previous LLP mobility projects adapting maritime studies in tertiary education to the current needs of the shipping industry
- Fostering permanent links between institutions in tertiary education/research and training centers and the industry
- Introducing innovative e learning tools rendering educational and vocational training part of the lifelong learning practice and continuous professional development
GRUNDTVIG MULTILATERAL
WELNESS – Skills for True Wellbeing
Main Aim: The proposed project is designed to directly address the needs of educators and learners by equipping them with a set of diverse abilities thus enabling them to expand their existing paradigm of education and in turn inspiring and motivating themselves and others towards greater and more fulfilling achievement. It will be beneficial for the quality of teaching and learning in the partners’ home institutions as well as staff and learners of other adult education organisations to whom the results of the project will be disseminated.
Objectives/Expected Results:
- To examine the needs of adult education professionals (teachers, trainers, managers, administrative staff), in particular assess their baseline level of wellbeing and problems that they have that affect the level of their wellbeing
- To examine the needs of adult learners (above 18 years old, those who do not participate any longer in vocational or tertiary education; the ratio of men to woman should be close to 50%-50% and age groups should be equally represented), in particular assess their baseline level of wellbeing and problems that they have that affect the level of their wellbeing
- To spread the awareness that wellbeing is necessary foundation for effective teaching and learning
- To empower the adult education staff and learners to take responsibility for their wellbeing, in particular, to raise their understanding of attitudes and behaviours that sabotage wellbeing as well as those that contribute to wellbeing
- To provide the adult education staff and learners will tools that will help them to:
– manage their stress level effectively
– expand their creativity
– enhance their communication skills
– increase their self awareness (of their values, needs, body, emotions, thoughts and patterns of behaviour)
– regulate their emotions effectively
– motivate themselves more effectively
- To produce high quality resources (in-service seminar, guide book, internet platform) for adult education professionals
- Produce attractive curricula, workshops and online resources for adult learners
- To increase job satisfaction and work engagement of adult education professionals and prevent burn-out syndrome
- Trough providing tools for wellbeing, enhance learning and teaching ability in the target groups
- To contribute to increased participation in lifelong learning by people of all ages – we will examine how adult education is carried out in the partner countries in relation to the specific socio-cultural backgrounds and what are the best practices
- To encourage the best use of results, innovative products, methods and processes.
- To enhance the quality and European dimension of adult education.
- To contribute to developing measurable indicators of wellbeing
- To encourage interdisciplinary dialog and collaboration in the field of promoting wellbeing through adult education
Target groups:
1) The professionals involved in adult education (teachers and trainers)
2) Adult learners
Partners:
West University of Timisoara (Romania)
University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz (Poland)
Health Psychology Management Organisation Services (United Kingdom)
Razvojno izobrazevalni center Novo mesto (Slovenia)
Promimpresa (Italy)
Shipcon Limassol Ltd. (Cyprus)
Formazione Co&So Network (Italy)
Website of the project:
Contact:
Martina Splichalova