Who are we?

First of all, people. All with a lot of energy and desire to bring innovation to non-formal education and beyond. We want to bring change in the way young people look at education in general. We care about learning, growing and making a real difference in our communities.

Are you ready to meet us virtually? ⤵️

Vlad Grigoraș

Founder, Strategy Architect, Development Master

Vlad Grigoraș

Hi, I’m Vlad, I brand myself “fulfilled” that I am a seer of ideas and have the ability to connect them in a way that I can materialise those with my colleagues. Materialise those for co-creating a great world that we all want to live in. I am a “walk the talk” person and i follow this though ever since being able to walk. In the last ten years though, I started to live “walking my talk” and it lead me to start iEL.

My compass leads me to creating a state of flow space for us being inside, and all other people we impact.

Medeea Nămoloșanu

Full Time Mommy, Art Fairy, Project Coordinator, Mentor

Medeea Nămoloșanu

Hello! I’m Medeea, and I’m currently a full-time mother. I have a very cute and smiley little girl who is extremely curious and loves to explore everything around her.

Before the best period of my life began, I was the one making sure that everything visual in the organisation brought joy. Now, I am exploring with my little girl a new universe of possibilities and discoveries, where every day is an opportunity to learn and create, together with my daughter.

Veronica Niste

Alignment Alchemist

Veronica Niste

Hello! I’m Vera. I focus on developing people and teams, creating clear processes, and supporting initiatives so that ideas can come to life and make a real impact.

I am passionate about nonformal education, and I enjoy creating environments where colleagues and volunteers can grow both personally and professionally. I work at the intersection of people, processes, and vision, helping the team function harmoniously and achieve its goals.

I enjoy exploring the mysteries of the human mind and soul, and neuropsychology fascinates me deeply. I find inspiration in these fields and apply these ideas in my work to help people reach their full potential.

In my free time, I love reading about the latest discoveries in psychology and quantum physics, listening to jazz, and enjoying nature.

Claudiu Pavel

Visual Alchemist

Claudiu Pavel

Hi! I’m Claudiu, a psychiatrist and graphic designer. I enjoy working on projects that combine education, creativity, and community involvement. I’m particularly interested in how ideas can be explained clearly and visually, so that they’re easier for as many people as possible to understand and use.

In my free time, I read a lot and enjoy playing chess—activities that help me relax and keep my curiosity alive. I’m also passionate about sports: skiing, swimming, cycling, and running. I also enjoy traveling, because it gives me the opportunity to discover new places and meet new people.

I want to contribute to projects that bring people together and make learning more accessible. I try to draw on my experience in both mental health and design to create materials and initiatives that are useful, clear, and user-friendly.

Timeea Schill

Marketing Assistant

Timeea Schill

Ciao! The undersigned aka Tim, Timuca, an enthusiast kid, I’m pleased to meet you and want to tell you that: I like to laugh, a lot; I love to create – feelings, experiences, visuals in Canva, etc..; I have a twin sister but we look different, friends like I hope you’ll find and I feed myself through the people around me; I’m just starting out, I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up, just helping people and having fun (if it involves exploring the globe all the better).

I currently let my iEL colleagues amaze me with their good projects and vibe.

Alina Cooper

Erasmus+ KA1 Program Manager

Alina Cooper

I’m passionate about learning that feels as human as possible. I create educational experiences (especially online) that bring clarity, connection, and meaning :seedling:Fun facts: I’m fascinated by conscious living, applied neuroscience, and how people actually learn—not just what they “should” learn. I believe in good questions, simple processes, and learning that stays with you long after it’s over.

Ana Georgescu

Erasmus+ Selection Specialist

Ana Georgescu

I’ve been working with children and young people since 2006, so I know exactly how to turn a boring activity into a “Wow, I really love this!” moment. In my sessions, the chairs are just for show—participants are too busy learning through games, challenges, and laughter. Instead of handing you the answers on a silver platter, I help you discover them for yourself, and when you leave, not only have you learned something useful, but you also feel like a superhero in your own story!

Adelina Ionescu

Chaos Coordinator

Adelina Ionescu

Hello! I coordinate ESC volunteers, which means I speak three languages every day, and sometimes we understand each other perfectly just through gestures. For me, this intercultural exchange means unexpected friendships and experiences where I’m constantly growing alongside them.
We organize non-formal education workshops, build connections, and create moments when strangers become friends and Brașov becomes “home.”
When I’m not with them, you’ll find me in the mountains or playing Catan with friends.

 

I do serious work, but with a lot of humor, because volunteering goes better when we laugh together.

Claudiu Bungeag

Project manager & Certified ScrumMaster

Claudiu Bungeag

Hi! I’m Claudiu, project manager and Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®), specialized in the coordination of EU/CE funded projects such as EuropeAid, Horizonte 2020 and Horizon Europe. With a solid legal background and experience in managing H2020 programs, I live since 2008 in Barcelona. I love challenges and am dedicated to turning ideas into reality through a strategic and results-oriented approach. Flexibility and adaptability are my strengths, allowing me to maintain a positive atmosphere and collaborate effectively to implement impactful projects.

Currently, we spend most of our time in Brașov and its surroundings (when not travelling all over Europe).

We have a very nice place, somewhere near the Citadel, where we feel like home. We called it the Nonformal Education Lab because that’s what we do: we build non-formal learning experiences that make a real impact on the development and well-being of young people.

Most of the time, we spend time with YOUth in our Youth Lab (the room next to the office where we host all sorts of learning experiences).

Vision

We dream of a world where people of all ages feel personally and professionally fulfilled, and are ready to make positive changes in their communities.

Mission

To achieve our dream, we are constantly working on creating experiential learning contexts (learning stuff while doing it, for real) where you can grow both personally and professionally.

More specifically, we accompany and support you on your journey towards personal and professional fulfilment, whatever that means for you.

How exactly do we do this?

5

We give you access to innovative and impactful tools, methods, and interventions that will change the way you look at education and learning.

5

We help you develop your creative skills and align with the digital and technological demands of the job market, so you’re always ready for the opportunities that arise.

5

We support your process of enriching your emotional well-being, so that you can live a happier and more fulfilled life.

5

We use visual arts, theatre, film, dance, and literature, as a means of personal growth and healing.

5

We encourage you to cultivate your sense of initiative and entrepreneurship to reach your full potential and achieve your dreams.

Approach

9

We look at education as a whole and at the same time understand that each of us learns differently. That’s why we use a variety of learning methods and practices.

9

At the same time, we know that education doesn’t just happen in classrooms, but in every corner of life, from nature to the interactions we have every day with the people around us. Basically, from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep, we are learning.

So we take a holistic approach to everything we do, based on the five elements of Taoist practice. These elements are our pillars of strength and represent all the areas we explore in our work, and which guide our vision about education.

iEL pillars

EARTH

Personal development

The EARTH symbolises the area of Personal Development and represents our inner foundation, from self-awareness to soft and financial skills. A solid foundation of personal knowledge allows us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Your personal development is essential. From mindfulness to mentoring, we’re here to support you.

FIRE

Professional development

Professional growth is symbolized by Fire, because it illustrates very well the passion and ambition to advance in one’s career by developing practical skills: from knowing how to write your CV to what you post on the internet and how to put yourself in a good light through your every day actions. In an ever-changing world, it is essential to be able to adapt and evolve continuously. We help you grow professionally, develop your skills, and grow your network in a healthy way.

WATER

Inclusion and Diversity

WATER stands for Inclusion and Diversity. It represents fluidity and the ability to accept and embrace diversity, which can greatly enrich our experiences and make us more empathetic. To us, every voice counts, regardless of colour, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or favourite football team.

WOOD

Research and Innovation

Research and innovation is the area of continuous exploration of new methods and approaches in education, and WOOD stands as its symbol. We constantly research and seek to innovate the methods we use in working with people, because innovation allows us to stay relevant and offer solutions that are adapted to today’s needs.

METAL

Sustainable Impact

METAL is the element that symbolises sustainability, long-term planning and creating a positive impact. We want to leave a lasting legacy and, at the same time, ensure that our actions have a long-term positive effect.

Values

GROWTH

We empower people to constantly grow, make an impact, become more aware of the world around them and achieve their goals.

INNOVATION

We nurture curiosity, creativity and concrete action to develop transformational education methods.

SUSTAINABLE IMPACT

We want to have a long-term impact. To do this, we use our resources responsibly and want every action we take to add value.

COOPERATION

We believe that together we can have more impact. It is essential to collaborate with organisations from as diverse a range of knowledge areas as possible, and work together to transform our communities.

RESPONSIBILITY

We act with integrity and ethics, produce genuine results, and are dedicated to changing education and society for the better.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

With us, everyone is welcome! We are constantly working to create a community where everyone feels seen and heard regardless of age, background or profile.

SOLIDARITY

We encourage mutual support, active listening, sincere collaboration, and the promotion of unity in diversity. Solidarity helps us to be united, and every gesture counts.

ADAPTABILITY

We are connected and constantly adapting to the ever-changing environment and society.

Methods used

With each workshop and project facilitated, we are adding more and more non-formal learning methods to our baggage.

We do everything non-formally, because it is essential that you are at the centre of the learning process. Depending on the activity and the needs of the participants, we put together different methods to build relevant and impactful learning experiences.

Here are some of them, which we use frequently in our activities.

5

Creativity and mindfulness

We use art in order to explore our inner selves and become more aware of ourselves and those around us.

5

Participatory research

We give you access to innovative and impactful tools, methods, and interventions that will change the way you look at education and learning.

5

Interactive games

We explore new concepts through play and develop our life, entrepreneurial, digital, and sustainability skills.

5

Experiential learning in nature

We organise outdoor activities such as hiking and camping to learn about nature through first-hand experience.

5

Reflection groups

After each activity we have, we discuss as a group to reflect on the experience and lessons learned.

Organizations organizations

Institutions partners

Companies supporting us

Funding