EARLALL Contributes to Shaping the Future of the LCAMP Alliance in Mechelen

27/01/2026

On 27 January 2026, LCAMP project partners gathered in Mechelen, Belgium, for a Transnational Project Meeting hosted at Crescendo CVO. As a partner leading the LCAMP Alliance (WP2) and communication activities, EARLALL contributed to strategic discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, ensuring sustainability, and positioning the Alliance for continued impact beyond the project’s lifetime.

The meeting marked a key moment as LCAMP enters its final phase, combining progress review with forward-looking discussions on how to maintain and scale project results at European and regional level. The meeting was held back-to-back with the LCAMP Project Camp, enabling partners to work jointly on developing new project ideas and consortia in view of upcoming Erasmus+ calls, further reinforcing the Alliance as a platform for long-term collaboration.

Strengthening the LCAMP Alliance and the Role of VET Centres

EARLALL led discussions on the future of the LCAMP Alliance and the role of VET centres as drivers of innovation and regional growth. Partners agreed on the direction of the next policy recommendations, which will focus on the impact of VET centres at regional level, building on earlier recommendations related to Collaborative Learning Factories and the Skills Observatory.

Advancing the Skills Observatory and Evidence-Based Tools

The meeting also addressed progress on the Skills Observatory. Partners highlighted the importance of curated and validated data as the Observatory’s core added value. The objective is to ensure that the Observatory functions as a dynamic and sustainable tool, supporting evidence-based decision-making and remaining active after the project’s conclusion.

Connecting SMEs, VET Providers, and Open Innovation Ecosystems

Discussions on open innovation and the connection between SMEs and VET ecosystems highlighted the importance of coordinated action across the consortium. Partners shared updates on open innovation communities, SME engagement activities, and collaborative project development. Contributions from KIC, MADE, and the Association of VET Slovenia, as well as exchanges during the LCAMP Project Camp, demonstrated the potential of the Alliance to generate new initiatives and joint proposals.

Strengthening the LCAMP Digital Ecosystem

Several sessions focused on the consolidation of the LCAMP digital ecosystem, including Collaborative Learning Factories and the LCAMP Platform. The Collaborative Learning Platform repository will serve as a shared resource for Alliance members, hosting courses, learning structures, and educational products.

Particular attention was given to the Learning Self-Assessment Tool, one of LCAMP’s flagship results. Available for over a year and translated into five languages, the tool continues to be improved based on user feedback.

The importance of quality assurance was highlighted throughout the discussions, especially considering the scale of work already completed, including nearly 700 job profiles, skills data, and micro-credentials feeding into the platform and toolkit.

Sustainability was further addressed by Tknika, focusing on the long-term use of LCAMP tools and services and the continuation of the Alliance. Starting in February 2026, this work will lead to the development of a Roadmap for Continued Development, to be endorsed by Alliance members by April 2026.

Partners collectively agreed that LCAMP represents not an endpoint, but a transition: a living Alliance, a functioning Skills Observatory, an active digital platform, and continued cooperation through new projects and learner mobility.

Next Steps: LCAMP Conference 2026

The meeting concluded with reflections from Iñigo Araiztegui Arraiz (Tknika), reaffirming partners’ shared commitment to long-term cooperation.

The next major gathering of the LCAMP Alliance will take place during the LCAMP Conference & Student Hub, scheduled for 21–23 April 2026 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country. The conference will serve as a key moment to showcase results, strengthen the Alliance, and jointly shape the next phase of learner-centred advanced manufacturing across Europe.