The educational project “Babo the Dragon”, developed by Baby Erasmus – British International Preschool in Badajoz, has been awarded the European Language Label 2026, one of Europe’s most prestigious recognitions in the fields of educational innovation and language learning.

The award was granted within the framework of the EITA 2026 (European Innovative Teaching Awards), an initiative promoted by the European Commission to recognise educational projects that demonstrate outstanding innovation and impact in the development of language skills, international cooperation and the improvement of educational quality across Europe.

The recognition highlights the work carried out through the Erasmus+ project “BABO: Bilingual and Bicultural Outlook – Blended Multilingual Learning in Preschool Age”, a European cooperation partnership focused on developing innovative methodologies and educational resources for early language learning. The project was written and coordinated by Baby Erasmus, which was responsible for its pedagogical direction, educational design, coordination of international teams, task planning, monitoring of results and development of educational content. The University of Extremadura, meanwhile, was responsible for the project’s registration and administrative coordination, as well as the development of educational games (educational gamification) aligned with the objectives of the “Babo the Dragon” educational programme.

Over a period of three years, the project brought together nine organisations from five European countries (Spain, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Portugal), including educational institutions, universities, organisations specialising in multilingual education, technology companies and a professional audiovisual animation studio from Extremadura, Glow Animation Studio.

The main objective of the Erasmus+ “BABO” project was to promote innovative language teaching in Early Childhood Education through digital resources and methodologies adapted to the learning abilities of young children. As a result, the consortium developed a comprehensive educational ecosystem comprising:
- Pedagogical guides for teachers.
- Resources based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
- Physical and digital educational games.
- Interactive applications for language learning.
- Educational Cartoons based on “Babo the Dragon”.

All these resources, together with many others subsequently developed by Baby Erasmus and its European partners following the completion of the project, are available free of charge through “Babo the Dragon”.
The results of the project have far exceeded initial expectations. The educational materials developed are now being used by educational institutions in at least eleven European countries, while Babo the Dragon audiovisual content has achieved more than 600,000 views on open platforms such as YouTube, helping to bring language learning to thousands of families and teachers.

According to Juan Ruiz Subirán, Director of Baby Erasmus British International Preschool:
“Receiving the European Language Label is an extraordinary recognition of the work carried out over many years by the entire Baby Erasmus team and our European partners. This award demonstrates that educational innovation can also emerge from an early years school and from a city such as Badajoz, generating an impact across Europe. Our ‘Babo the Dragon’ educational project was created in 2015 with the aim of helping children learn languages in a natural, enjoyable and motivating way, and this recognition confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”

The European Language Label is an initiative coordinated by the European Commission and managed by the national education agencies of the Member States. Each year, it recognises a limited number of projects across Europe that stand out for their excellence, innovation, pedagogical quality and impact on language teaching and learning.

With this European recognition, Baby Erasmus further strengthens its position as a leading institution in educational innovation for early language learning, while also enhancing the international profile of Extremadura and the city of Badajoz within the field of European education.

About Baby Erasmus
Baby Erasmus is a bilingual early childhood education centre based in Badajoz that has been developing innovative methodologies for early language learning since 2010. Through European projects, digital educational resources and language immersion programmes, the organisation collaborates with educational institutions, universities and organisations across Europe to improve the quality of early childhood education.

News:

Mother Tongues: https://mothertongues.ie/2026/09/30/babo-wins-european-language-label-2026/

Extremadura7días: https://www.extremadura7dias.com/noticia/un-proyecto-educativo-extremeno-alcanza-un-prestigioso-reconocimiento-europeo

La voz de Extremadura: https://lavozext.es/badajoz/un-proyecto-educativo-nacido-en-badajoz-recibe-el-sello-europeo-de-las-lenguas-2026/