Welcome to our new members: Cooperatives Europe, garagErasmus Foundation and Lie Detectors

During our General Assembly on 29–30 June, we welcomed three new members to our network. All three organisations share our commitment to building a better future for the lifelong learning community.

In this article, we take a closer look at who they are, what they do, who they work with, and why their work makes our platform more diverse and stronger.

garagErasmus Foundation

garagErasmus Foundation is a professional network of the Erasmus Generation that aims to contribute to a better-integrated Europe by connecting universities, cities and companies and transforming student mobility into long-term opportunities for people and society.

By helping institutions turn international experiences into employability, innovation and active European citizenship, garagErasmus supports young talents not only while they are abroad, but throughout their journey into professional and civic life. Its mission is clear: to turn mobility into a lifelong asset.

The organisation believes that mobility changes lives. It expands horizons, develops soft skills, boosts employability and strengthens the sense of belonging to Europe. However, its value is not automatic: it requires guidance, support and recognition.

This is why garagErasmus acts before, during and after international experiences, helping institutions make mobility more accessible, meaningful and future-oriented.

But… how did it all start?

garagErasmus was born in 2012 from a simple idea: the Erasmus experience shouldn't end when the exchange is over.

What began as a community of former Erasmus students has evolved into a European foundation that brings together organisations committed to mobility as a driver of personal and social development.

Over the years, garagErasmus has grown into a strategic partner for universities, local associations and companies seeking to invest in talent and internationalisation.

As the Erasmus+ programme continues to evolve, garagErasmus remains committed to championing the value of mobility and ensuring that every student's journey can become a stepping stone towards personal development and European engagement.

Its commitment is clear: to empower the Erasmus Generation and make mobility a long-term driver of talent and social change.

Cooperatives Europe

Cooperatives Europe (CE) is the European regional organisation of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the global body representing the cooperative movement worldwide. Established in 2006, it is the voice of cooperative enterprises in Europe and works to promote and strengthen the cooperative business model across the region.

Today, Cooperatives Europe brings together 84 member organisations from 33 European countries, representing 163 million individual members, 250,000 cooperative enterprises and 5.4 million jobs. These figures highlight the significant role of cooperatives in driving economic growth and social change across Europe.

Cooperatives Europe advocates for a plurality of business models and works to increase awareness and recognition of cooperatives among European institutions, national governments and other stakeholders. It also supports the development of policies that enable the sustainable growth of cooperative enterprises and strengthens connections across its network by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and good practices.

Cooperatives are also important actors in advancing Europe's sustainable development agenda. As people-centred and values-based businesses, they empower individuals to actively participate in their own social and economic development.

As a new member of our network, Cooperatives Europe brings a valuable perspective on participation, cooperation and peer learning, contributing to our shared goal of building more inclusive and sustainable societies through lifelong learning.

Lie detectors

Lie Detectors is an independent, award-winning, journalist-driven media literacy organisation working to counter the impact of online disinformation and polarisation on democracy. As Europe's largest organisation of its kind, it empowers young people and teachers to navigate the online information environment and distinguish fact from fake.

The organisation works with journalists, teachers and students to promote media literacy and a better understanding of ethical journalism. Its network of more than 500 trained journalists delivers interactive, inclusive and non-political workshops to children aged 10–15, while also providing teacher training that equips educators with practical tools and knowledge to continue developing media literacy skills with their students.

Lie Detectors also contributes insights from its practical work to research, policy and advisory processes in education and digital rights. By connecting the experiences of young people and educators with journalists and policymakers, it helps strengthen media literacy education and inform the development of policies and tools that respond to the evolving challenges of the digital information environment.

Founded in 2017 by award-winning journalist Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck, Lie Detectors has since grown into a leading provider of journalist-driven media literacy education in Europe, training more than 26,000 children every year as well as teachers internationally.

As a new associate member of our network, Lie Detectors brings valuable expertise at the intersection of education, digital literacy and democratic participation. Its work highlights the importance of equipping learners and educators with the skills they need to navigate today's information landscape critically and responsibly — an essential part of lifelong learning in an increasingly digital society.

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We are delighted to welcome garagErasmus Foundation, Cooperatives Europe and Lie Detectors to our network. Their diverse expertise and perspectives will enrich our platform and contribute to our shared mission of promoting lifelong learning across Europe.

We look forward to working together, exchanging knowledge and building new collaborations to help shape a more inclusive, sustainable and learning-oriented Europe.

Welcome to the network!