The Eurolearn initiative aims to develop pupils' geography, literacy and numeracy skills in a fun and topical way.

Pupils at Grove Primary in Belfast are among the young people taking part.

The project is based on the 50th anniversary of the European Union.

It has been written by the Belfast Telegraph's Newspapers in Education Executive Jennifer O'Reilly - a former teacher.

Today, the first of six dedicated weekly pages is printed in the Belfast Telegraph to act as a focal point for pupils working on the project.

Each participating pupil has already received a colour workbook containing elements of geography, history and citizenship awareness.

Copies of today's Belfast Telegraph are sent out to schools to be used as the main classroom resource.

Every participating school will also receive a free digital camera for every 20 pupils registered.

And 28 pupils and three teachers from one school - selected at random - will be sent on a fantastic all expenses paid school trip to Belgium for three nights.

They will stay in Brussels, visit the European Parliament with local MEPs, travel to First World War battlefields and visit a chocolate factory.

Mrs O'Reilly said: "I am delighted that thousands of pupils in over 300 schools are taking part in the Eurolearn project.

"Studying the EU on this its 50th anniversary year, provides endless opportunities for young people to develop their literacy and numeracy skills as well as study aspects of geography and history.

"I hope both pupils and teachers will enjoy doing the project and that they will take many wonderful photographs with the digital cameras which will be given to participating schools by the Belfast Telegraph." .