The European Commission reported that the 'eTwinning' network, the virtual classroom network for schools, that has encouraged 100,000 schools in 33 European countries to talk to each other via the internet, will be extended from today to schools in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

eTwinning Plus is a pilot project initiated as part as the EU's Neighbourhood policy, under the 'Contacts between people' Eastern Partnership platform which aims to enhance dialogue with Eastern partners. eTwinning' network that works since 2005 and has encouraged 100,000 schools in 33 European countries to talk to each other via the internet, will be now extended from today to schools in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

The Commission also highlighted that the budget for eTwinning Plus is €834,000. Around half of this sum will be invested in developing the new online platform and coordination work, with the remainder allocated to co-funding the partner support agencies. The allocation by country is as follows: Armenia €64,000, Azerbaijan €80,000, Georgia €64,000, Moldova €80,000 and Ukraine €96,000.

Moreover, the Commission also informed that a partner support agency has been set up in each of the neighbouring countries involved. These organisations will promote eTwinning Plus at the national level, ensure it meets the needs of schools and organise training sessions for teachers. They will select participating schools on the basis of their computer equipment and knowledge of languages. They will ensure that rural and urban schools, as well as children from different socio-economic backgrounds, are involved.