HOPEs project is funded by the European Commission under the ERASMUS+ program KA2 – Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices (Strategic Partnerships for school education). The project was launched in September 2016 with 24 months duration and is implemented in five EU countries (Cyprus , Greece , Ireland, Malta and Portugal). The newly developed strategic partnership was created based on extensive expertise of all members of the consortium in topics related to Positive Psychology, Educational Psychology and Character Education.
An innovative educational program is developed during the two years of the project’s implementation based on the theoretical framework of positive psychology and character education. It is an opportunity to enrich schools with extra tools for a more meaningful future through:

• Positive emotions
• Character Education
• Positive Purpose
• Positive Coping
• Positive Connections

In particular, teachers’ training on HOPEs training programme is expected to increase their job satisfaction, self-esteem, resilience and happiness levels, contribute to their self-regulation ability, increase their engagement level and to positively influence their schools (students and other faculty members) and communities. Thus, schools and communities are expected to become more solution oriented rather than focusing on problems. Development of positive culture in schools might contribute to the well-being levels and prevention of behavioural problems in students. Students will be provided with tools to help them become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and to increase their self-esteem. Finally, it is expected that students will become better able to handle stress, develop critical-thinking and decision-making skills to make responsible decisions based on universal values such as responsibility and respect.