This intervention — carried out in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal — aimed at developing a transferable model of professional development using a virtual learning environment (VLE), while considering the contextual and organisational characteristics and the needs and challenges of the professionals involved. The VLE prioritized the promotion of community bonds in multilingual, multicultural and socially disadvantaged (pre)school and informal settings among the main actors (practitioners, parents and children), and the promotion of global intercultural competences of individuals and communities. The task included two aspects: i) the co-design and implementation of a VLE, and ii) a professional development (PD) intervention supportive to both the design of the VLE and to increasing professionals’ intercultural competences.

Overall, the assessment of the intervention revealed changes in professionals’ intercultural competences. The exploration of the context appeared very important to get a better understanding of the local needs and desires of professionals and how these professionals function within the larger organization. The VLE played an important role in supporting professionals by providing videos, narratives, dilemmas and concrete examples from practice to reflect on. The establishment of a virtual community of learners amongst the participating countries, through the VLE, was considered interesting and valuable in enhancing professional’s perspectives.

The lessons learned, regarding the overall process and specifically concerning the VLE, are discussed in this report.