SKYLA Partners Advance Monitoring Activities as the Project Enters Its Final Phase
06/07/2026
On 3 July, partners of the SKYLA Interreg Europe project met online for the latest monitoring meeting of the project’s Follow-up Phase, taking stock of the progress achieved in implementing policy improvements across participating regions and discussing the next steps towards the project’s conclusion.
The Follow-up Phase represents a crucial stage of the project, during which each partner monitors the implementation and impact of its selected Policy Improvement. To support this process, SKYLA has established a common monitoring framework structured around a set of shared indicators and corresponding means of verification, allowing partners to track progress, assess impact, and facilitate mutual learning.
Partners are required to update their monitoring data every three months and present their findings during dedicated follow-up meetings. This process enables participating regions to exchange experiences, reflect on challenges, and identify transferable approaches to strengthening skills ecosystems.
During the meeting, partners presented updates on their respective monitoring activities and policy developments. Tuscany highlighted its ongoing efforts to adapt opportunities within apprenticeship and dual education systems, while continuing to support schools and educational institutions. The Municipality of Sofia reported on its work involving surveys and research activities focused on young people and their skills needs. Lithuanian partners shared developments linked to the implementation of the country’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, while Fingal County, Ireland, presented progress related to its Skills Strategy, launched in February 2025.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution of SKYLA’s Discovery Partners. In particular, participants discussed the recently published research study, “Tools for Developing Institutional Partnerships Between the Vocational Education System and Businesses”, prepared by the Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region together with other Ukrainian organisations. The study offers an in-depth analysis of mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between vocational education providers and businesses, especially in addressing regional labour market challenges. Its findings will be further explored during a dedicated webinar planned for Autumn 2026.
As the project moves towards its conclusion, partners also began preparations for the SKYLA Final Conference, which will take place on 9–10 December 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Hosted by the Municipality of Sofia and the Cluster of Mechatronics, the event will focus on the theme “Skills for the Future” and will bring together policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders from across Europe. The programme will include a conference, networking opportunities, and study visits.
The continued monitoring and exchange of experiences during the Follow-up Phase remain essential to ensuring that the policy improvements developed through SKYLA generate sustainable impact and contribute to building more resilient and future-oriented regional skills policies across Europe.