The bureaucratic dilemma

Navigating Paperwork in a Collaborative Vision

While we are thrilled to have our project co-funded by the European Commission, we can’t ignore the bureaucratic dilemma that shadows our enthusiasm. The administrative burden, though necessary for transparency and accountability, often feels like an uphill battle—one that risks diverting energy from our core mission of creating meaningful educational content and resources.

That said, a glimmer of hope emerged during a session we (Georgia Giacomelli and Juliana Raffaghelli, UNIPD staff) attended on October 29–30 at INDIRE, the Italian National Agency. In a session organised for Italian Erasmus+ HE coordinators, we were introduced to the lump sum approach, which significantly reduces bureaucratic weight. The focus, we were reassured, is shifting toward the quality of outputs—what we produce as educators and educationists—and not endless stacks of paperwork. This is a refreshing perspective that acknowledges the heart of such projects: innovation, collaboration, and impact.

However, the “braccio di ferro” (arm wrestling) continues. With partners across four countries—Spain, Italy, Romania, and Germany—each with its unique approach to paperwork, finding common ground can feel like navigating a labyrinth. Harmonizing these national differences is no small task, requiring patience, negotiation, and mutual understanding.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed. The beauty of working on a multinational project like ETH-TECH lies in its diversity, even when that diversity complicates administrative processes. Our shared vision for ethical and technological education motivates us to wrestle through these challenges and ensure our focus remains where it belongs: on making a real difference in education.

We may wrestle with forms and guidelines, but at the end of the day, it’s the impact of our work—not the paperwork—that will be remembered.

We care deeply about people and our dream of creating meaningful contributions to education, especially in addressing the critical issue of an unquestioned, one-dimensional perspective on technology. True progress requires us to challenge these assumptions and explore the complexities of how technology shapes education.

Taking care also means taking the time to reflect on our actions, ensuring they align with our values and goals. It’s about engaging in open dialogue with our beneficiaries through interactive sessions that foster mutual understanding and growth—not simply logging hours on timesheets.

The value of the session is apparent since at one month, we are in contact with a relevant Italian network of other coordinators, that are committed to deal with emerging technologies. This will be an opportunity to spread the voice about our perspective about AI and Data in education.

Our focus remains on meaningful impact, not administrative formalities. Let’s see if we will make it!