Course Type: Applied Blended Challenge (ABC) Program

These credit-bearing blended programmes use a challenge-based approach and include at least one mobility week for students from all ACE²-EU members. They are delivered jointly by ACE²-EU universities and external stakeholders from industry, society, or government. Their main goal is for students to work together on solutions to real-world challenges related to EU priorities such as the digital and green transitions and current socio-economic issues.

Duration and Timeline

• Online component: 17-19 November 2025, 15:00-17:00 CEST and 12 December 2025, 10:00-12:00 CEST
• On-site component: 01-05 December 2025
• Location: Targu Jiu, Romania
• Total workload: 10 hrs. synchronous online, 25 hrs. onsite + 55 hrs. independent and group work

Award, Credits and Certification

On successful completion of the course participants will receive 3 ECTS credits and a certificate of attendance.

Organized by

• Constantin Brancusi University (Romania) – Lead and Host Institution
• Goce Delcev University (North of Macedonia)
• Santarem Polytechnic University (Portugal)
• Latvian Academy of Culture (Latvia)

Key Organisers: Corina Drăgan, Monica-Delia Bîcă, Cristian – Adrian Miron, Elena Maksimova, Olga Koshevaliska, Daniela Koceva, Perpetua Silva, Maria Potes Barbas, Katrīna Dūka, Sintija Skrabe

External Stakeholders Involved

• Gorj County Police Inspectorate
• General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection
• Gorj County Court
• “Christian” Day Centre
• National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men
• Research Institute for Quality of Life
• Târgu Jiu Bar Association
• Târgu Jiu Prison

Course Description and Learning Objectives

To prepare future professionals to effectively prevent and respond to domestic violence by developing their understanding, critical awareness, and practical competencies through real-life community challenges and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The course equips students with professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to prevent and respond effectively to domestic violence. Participants will explore domestic violence from legal, psychological, social, cultural, and ethical perspectives, engaging in interactive sessions, case analyses, simulations, field visits, and collaboration on concrete proposals.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and analyze the root causes, forms, and consequences of domestic violence in different socio-cultural and institutional contexts.
• Recognize professional roles and responsibilities in preventing and responding to domestic violence across disciplines.
• Understand and apply national and international frameworks for victim protection, including legal instruments and intervention protocols.
• Demonstrate effective communication and empathy skills with victims, families, and stakeholders.
• Use art and cultural activities for emotional expression, trauma processing, and empowerment.
• Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to design context-sensitive solutions for real-life challenges.
• Develop research-based responses to specific domestic violence issues and present findings academically and professionally.
• Reflect critically on ethical dilemmas and professional practices, emphasizing prevention, child protection, and victim empowerment.

Target Students

This course is suitable for students from ACE²-EU partner universities in fields including:

• Social Work
• Psychology
• Law / Criminology
• Education / Special Education
• Sociology
• Public Health
• Political Science / Public Policy
• Human Rights / Gender Studies
• Nursing / Healthcare-related disciplines
• Communication Sciences, Culture, and Professional Management
• Other fields with interest in domestic violence prevention and social justice

Recommended Language Level: Basic to intermediate English (B1-B2)

Applications Process

Interested applicants should Apply here

Deadline for receipt of applications: 3rd October 2025

Notification of acceptance: 10th October 2025 (acceptance letter sent by the host institution)