For leading education projects that promote inclusivity, critical thinking, and resilience across Europe

EU Project Manager and Researcher at Cardet | Nicosia, Cyprus

Although Konstantinos Souroullas came to project management “accidentally” through a passion for youth empowerment and education, he’s taken to it with gusto in his work as European Union (EU) project manager and researcher at Cardet.

“When I became involved in several European projects, I realized the power of structured project management in turning ideas into tangible impact,” he says.

Konstantino entered project management after leaving the pharmaceutical industry for the education industry, but says the seed was planted even earlier in his life when he volunteered with a scouting organization, where he developed strategic grant proposals to address social issues in his Cyprus community.

In learning the essential skills of project management, such as planning, resource management, allocation, and risk assessment, he realized that, “project management wasn't just something for large scale projects, but an approach that could improve every aspect of my work and life.”

He leveled up his knowledge by pursuing a Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification, which he describes as challenging but rewarding, arming him with a host of skills.

For one, Konstantino gained the ability to anticipate challenges and adapt strategies, noting, “project management isn't just about solving problems and removing the impediments of the team, but it's actually about preventing them, by planning, being proactive, and keeping the project scope in check.”

The certification also helped him build a “servant leadership mindset.” This is achieved, he says, “by fostering a collaborative and supportive environment to the team, while at the same time you coach them, you mentor them and empower the team to achieve success together.”

In other words, he says, when a project manager realizes that project success is dependent upon their team’s success: “It will make the dream come true.”

Several of his own dreams to come true include the INTERFACE project, a digital learning environment, which has developed innovative environments that promote work-based learning for over 700 vocational education and training (VET) teachers and low-skilled workers.

“This system allowed teachers and trainees to gain recognition for the skills that are often overlooked,” he says, thus increasing teacher engagement and their professional development.

Another is the EMPOWER project, which implemented gamified role-playing scenarios into the training material for young social entrepreneurs.

In Konstantino’s world, however, success is defined by more than just deliverables; it’s about seeing real change in people that his projects impact.

While Konstantino already feels very lucky to do the work he does with Cardet, which he credits for fostering a creative, innovative, and engaging environment, he does have a dream project in mind: creating a universal learning design framework across the EU.

“At the heart of this project is inclusivity that ensures that every student, regardless of their background or their learning needs, has equal access to quality education that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and of course, resilience," he says. He believes this will foster empowerment and adaptability in students that is crucial for succeeding in today's ever-changing world.

It’s no surprise that Konstantino leans so passionately into equity in education in his work. He credits being influenced significantly by his father, a war refugee who had to rebuild his entire life from nothing.

“What inspires me most about my father is his ability to balance the demands of work while ensuring the well-being of our family. I try to do and embrace it at my current working style and family style, no matter the circumstance,” he says.