Now in its seventh year, the European Commission’s 'eTwinning' scheme involves more than 130,000 teachers in 31 countries who are using information and communication technologies (ICT) to set up cross-border educational projects. 500 teachers and 120 pupils are meeting in Budapest on 31 March-2 April to share ideas for future eTwinning initiatives and to celebrate the eight best eTwinning projects of the year, involving schools from Austria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey.

The eight winning projects of the eTwinning Prizes 2011 were selected from more than over 300 submissions and are divided into three age categories: 4-11, 12-15 and 16-19. Each is an example of innovative practice in which at least two schools from different countries have been learning together in a new and creative way.

In addition, there are also special categories for maths and science, language learning in French, Spanish and Italian, and a special prize, sponsored by the Commission, for studying the language of a neighbouring country. One school from France (Lycée Benjamin Franklin, Auray, Brittany) and two from Spain (IES Doctor Alarcón Santón, La Roda, IES Melchor de Macanaz, Hellín) will receive the award for a project which encouraged pupils to study the roots of modern romance languages. The special prize has been strongly supported by Commissioner Vassilliou, who in February launched the initiative, "What language does your neighbour speak?"

European Commission’s 'eTwinning' scheme

eTwinning uses ICT-based support, tools and services to make it easier for schools to form partnerships in any subject area. The scheme, which is part of the EU's Comenius programme, receives around 10 million euro in funding each year. Although it does not finance individual projects, it offers tools and support to teachers and pupils such as the eTwinning portal and seminars for teachers.

National Support Services, organisations or institutions which represent and promote eTwinning in all EU countries plus Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey, provide training and support by phone and online, organise meetings and national competitions, and run PR campaigns.