EARLALL

EARLALL participated online in the 12th “Europe, Let’s Cooperate!” Interregional Cooperation Forum, a hybrid event held on 16–17 April 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The event brought together participants from across the EU interested in interregional cooperation, policy improvement, and hands-on policy learning.

Irma Astrauskaite-Denis, Head of Unit – Communication and Contact Points, welcomed over 600 participants, with more than 400 joining the event online.

Henriette Winther, Deputy Director General of the Danish Business Authority, opened the event by thanking the organisers and presenting the programme ahead, along with the priorities under the Danish Presidency. She highlighted that Interreg Europe plays a key role in advancing interregional cooperation, supporting innovation, small and medium-sized enterprises, and developing solutions to shared challenges.

Erwin Siweris, Programmes Director, Interreg Europe, opened with an update on Interreg Europe, emphasising its strong collaborative spirit as a “family meeting” of long-term partners. He highlighted that Interreg Europe continues to play a key role in strengthening interregional cooperation and policy learning across Europe. Covering all EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and – since 2021 – the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova, the programme is one of the largest under European Territorial Cooperation. With over 260 approved projects, the programme connects regions and supports EU cohesion policy. The PLP brings together nearly 25,000 members, sharing 4,000+ good practices and offering peer reviews, policy briefs, and thematic events.

The event continued with a panel discussion featuring policymakers: Katarina Nordmark (Debuting project), Georgiane Nedelea (SireNergy project), Juan-Anton Gambina (atWork4Neets project), and Rute Dias Gregório, who shared experience from a peer review process. Speakers presented their initiatives and highlighted key success factors, including regular exchange of good practices, strong involvement of policy staff, and the use of peer reviews, expert input, and study visits. They also emphasised the importance of early stakeholder engagement, while noting time constraints due to administrative processes as a key challenge.

Federica Ferrara Senior Consultant in Public Policy Evaluation from Ernst and Young, presented the unique added value of Interreg Europe as a key instrument for strengthening territorial cohesion across Europe. The programme brings together partners from more and less developed regions, enabling the exchange of experience and expertise across a wide geographical scope. Its peer learning approach and strong focus on capacity building support public authorities in improving governance and translating knowledge into long-term impact, notably through concrete policy improvements.

The event featured high-level speakers discussing the future of EU cohesion policy and the contribution of interregional cooperation.

Oana Andreea Dordain (DG REGIO) presented an ambitious future EU budget of €2 trillion, including €10.2 billion for Interreg, aimed at strengthening territorial cooperation, simplifying programmes, and enhancing results-oriented funding. She also outlined the three-layer legislative framework governing EU funds, covering horizontal regulations, the “Plan” Regulation, and fund-specific rules such as ERDF/Interreg.

The first day online session concluded with a panel discussion featuring Pavel Branda (Committee of the Regions), Amandine Dupont, and Anne Livingston. Speakers highlighted the importance of Interreg for territorial cohesion, while stressing the need for adequate funding, legal certainty, and simplified implementation. They also addressed key challenges, including administrative complexity and upcoming performance-based approaches, and underlined the growing role of evaluation in supporting effective policymaking and delivering tangible regional impact.

EARLALL’s Contribution through Interreg Europe Projects

The discussions strongly resonate with EARLALL’s ongoing involvement in Interreg Europe projects such as SKYLA (Smart Specialisation Skills Ecosystems for the Twin Transition), SALAM (Sustainable AccessibIlity to the Labour Market), QUEEN (Quality apprenticeships for evolving labour needs), and LeadEx (Learning about the Educational Approach to Develop Excellence), which actively contribute to policy learning, skills development, and inclusive labour markets across regions. Through these initiatives, EARLALL supports the exchange of good practices, strengthens regional capacities, and promotes innovative solutions aligned with EU priorities on skills, employment, and lifelong learning.

On 21 April 2026, EARLALL participated in Eurofound’s event “Working in the Age of AI – How are working conditions changing across Europe?” held at the European Parliament. The gathering brought together national policymakers, social partners, civil society representatives and experts to discuss the latest evidence from Eurofound’s European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) Overview Report and to explore how data can inform sustainable policies on job quality, fairness and competitiveness in the future of work.

The event opened with an address by Li Andersson, MEP and Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL). She underlined that the role of AI in the workplace is a central topic in parliamentary debates, with policymakers striving both to mitigate risks, such as the blurring of boundaries between work and private life, and to harness technological progress to create new opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Moderation was provided by Barbara Gerstenberger, Head of the Working Life Unit at Eurofound, who introduced the agenda and speakers. Giving the floor to Ivailo Kalfin, Executive Director of Eurofound, she invited him to highlight the unique scope of the EWCS dataset, which provides an unparalleled evidence base for advancing job quality across Europe.

Kalfin welcomed Agnès Parent‑Thirion and Jorge Cabrita, Senior Research Managers at Eurofound’s Working Life Unit, who presented the report’s methodology and key findings. Parent‑Thirion noted job quality as a key factor in reducing stress levels, improving public health and maintaining a motivated workforce up to the age of 60. She emphasised that job quality is a cornerstone of Europe’s long‑term competitiveness. The report identifies seven dimensions that shape working life, several of which, such as working time quality, prospects, the physical environment and skills and discretion, have shown improvement in recent years. Skills and discretion were highlighted as particularly significant, with learning opportunities and workplace training emerging as essential components of high‑quality work.

Cabrita then addressed the dimensions requiring further attention. The social environment remains a concern, with women reporting higher exposure to discrimination than men. Organisational participation has declined over time, and work intensity has increased, with more workers required to manage emotionally demanding situations. Cabrita concluded by stressing that working conditions vary considerably by occupation, age, gender and sector, and that improved job quality is closely linked to access to unions and collective representation.

The discussion continued with contributions from Francesco Corti, Member of Cabinet to the Executive Vice‑President for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness at the European Commission. Corti highlighted concerns about workers’ exposure to emerging risks, including rising temperatures, and the decline of workplace representation structures. Laura Nurski, Head of the Future of Work Programme at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), echoed this view, describing the report’s methodological depth as setting a global benchmark. She drew attention to the nuanced patterns revealed across Member States, particularly regarding polarisation in working conditions. Marit Maij, MEP and member of the EMPL Committee, emphasised the persistent gender gap as a significant challenge for the EU. The contributions from the Parliament underscored the value of the EWCS report as a foundation for strong and sustainable policymaking.

In their closing remarks, Ivailo Kalfin and Li Andersson reiterated the central message of the event: that Europe’s competitiveness lies at the intersection of technological innovation, organisational practices and workers’ wellbeing. As a network committed to inclusive and high‑quality working environments, EARLALL welcomed the insights shared and the continued focus on shaping a fair and sustainable future of work, strengthening regional learning ecosystems and contributing to Europe’s long‑term competitiveness.

On 21 April 2026, EARLALL held its 18th online Academy session for members, focusing on the role of microcredentials in supporting labour market-oriented education and training.

The session combined a European policy perspective with practical implementation. It featured contributions from Iraklis Piliakis (CEDEFOP), who presented the evolution of microcredentials at EU level, and Lenita Oderfält from the Nordic Textile Academy, who shared hands-on experience from the Västra Götaland region.

Key topics included the development of microcredentials in EU policy, their main characteristics, strengths and challenges, and their integration into National Qualifications Frameworks. The session also highlighted the importance of quality assurance, trust, and labour market relevance, alongside practical examples of work-based learning, validation, and stackable microcredentials.

Overall, the Academy provided members with both a strategic overview and practical insights into how microcredentials can support flexible, skills-oriented learning pathways across Europe.

On 21 April, EARLALL participated in a hybrid event on “Vocational Education and Training (VET) – A new Strategy for competitiveness and quality jobs”, organised by the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI).

The discussion was framed by key EU policy developments, including:

Mario Draghi’s 2024 report on The Future of European Competitiveness, highlighting the central role of skills and knowledge in Europe’s labour force;
The European Commission’s Union of Skills initiative (2025), placing human capital at the core of Europe’s prosperity agenda;
The ongoing development of a new EU VET Strategy aimed at strengthening the attractiveness, excellence, and labour market relevance of VET systems.

Key Messages from Speakers

The event opened with a keynote by Panagiotis Chatzimichail (OBESSU), who called for a paradigm shift in VET. He stressed that VET should go beyond workforce preparation and actively promote social justice, critical citizenship, and empowerment. He highlighted key priorities, including addressing the academic-vocational divide, improving the quality and fairness of apprenticeships, ensuring inclusive access to digital and green skills, and strengthening student participation and European cooperation.

MEP Brigitte Van Der Berg underlined the persistent undervaluation of VET professionals and warned of a growing gap between university-educated elites and VET graduates. She advocated for equal access to EU programmes such as Erasmus+, stronger Centres of Vocational Excellence, and the development of a European skills passport to support cross-border recognition of qualifications.

Stefan Nowatschin (CESI) shared practical examples from his school, emphasising the importance of aligning VET with future skills, including critical thinking, creativity, and AI literacy. He highlighted the role of European cooperation, notably through Erasmus+, and stressed the need to position teachers as facilitators of learning and innovation.

Antonello Pietrangeli, CESI Youth Representative, focused on the quality of jobs and learning experiences within VET. He highlighted concerns about the working conditions of teachers and trainers, including low levels of recognition and high burnout. He called for stronger investment in fair wages, professional development, career progression, and social dialogue, as well as safeguards against the misuse of apprenticeships as low-cost labour.

Antonio Ranieri (CEDEFOP) highlighted the paradox between high demand for VET graduates and persistently low productivity growth. He pointed to structural challenges, including skills shortages, demographic decline, and the impact of AI, while emphasising the growing importance of VET in a shifting global “skills economy”.

Andrea Leruste (European Commission) presented the results of the Call for Evidence, which gathered 112 contributions from 22 countries, including 18 EU Member States. The strong participation, particularly from civil society, underlined the high level of stakeholder engagement and the relevance of VET in addressing Europe’s current challenges.

The upcoming EU VET Strategy is expected to outline concrete actions to make VET systems more future-proof and responsive to labour market needs. Building on the 2020 VET Recommendation and the Osnabrück/Herning processes, it will aim to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and regional cohesion, while addressing emerging challenges such as the impact of artificial intelligence.

At the same time, several structural challenges remain, including the slow adaptation of VET systems to labour market changes, persistent image issues and gender stereotypes, skills gaps among learners, shortages of qualified teachers, limited mobility, and insufficient internationalisation.

Conclusion

The discussions highlighted a clear consensus: VET must be reimagined as a strategic, high-quality, and inclusive pillar of European society. Achieving this will require systemic reforms, stronger investment in teachers and learners, and closer alignment between education systems and labour market needs.

EARLALL reaffirms its commitment to supporting VET systems that foster excellence, innovation, and regional development across Europe.

On 15 of April EARLALL took part in WISE (Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing) ESF+ project Steering Committee meeting. The meeting aimed to review recent progress on psychological support activities, upcoming exchange visit logistics in Sofia, reporting tasks, and communication activities.

A key focus was the psychological support work led by Centro PENC and International Rescue Committee (IRC) Italia teams. The project is currently offering both individual and group psychological support for Ukrainian refugee women, with group sessions held weekly in Ukrainian and co-led by an Italian psychotherapist and a Ukrainian-speaking cultural mediator. The group model, which includes 6 to 8 participants, is already showing positive early feedback and strong group dynamics.

Partners also reviewed supervision structures and local team arrangements in Rome, Milan, and Turin. There was also discussion about adapting the existing Women’s Rights group into a psychological support group after one final topic-based session, subject to supervision and further consultation.

EARLALL informed partners about the preparations for the upcoming webinars on the Holistic Support Center and the forthcoming communication plan. Content for the first two sessions is nearly finalized, with speakers and timings being confirmed for the broader series. Promotion will include newsletter distribution and LinkedIn announcements, while learning outcomes will be tracked through short surveys during the sessions.

The consortium also confirmed the exchange visit to Sofia, scheduled for 23–26 May. The agenda will include visits near the Animus Association, a safe space, and another partner location, with final logistical details still being completed.

Reporting and documentation were discussed in detail, particularly annual reporting deadlines, staff listings, and supporting materials. A significant issue raised during the meeting concerned data privacy and reporting requirements, especially around the sharing of personal data related to refugee women and other vulnerable participants.

To learn more about WISE Holistic Support Center model join WISE stakeholder database.

Exchange of Good Practices across regions

The meeting was moderated by Resolvo and ASEV, who welcomed participants and outlined the main objectives of the meeting, highlighting the partners’ shared commitment to strengthening quality apprenticeships. Emphasising the pedagogical nature of the project, the floor was then given to partners to present updates on consultations and initial findings on good practices. Several practices related to quality apprenticeships were showcased, including dual vocational education models, company-based mentorship programmes, continuing professional development for teachers, and collaboration initiatives with companies to regain and upscale skills. Partners also presented challenges faced by initiatives and regions, along with insights into sustainable solutions needed to successfully achieve change. The Tuscany Region provided details about the Tuscan Regional Charter on Quality Apprenticeships — an effort to design learning objectives and ensure pedagogical coherence across apprenticeship pathways to strengthen quality. This includes establishing common standards, clear roles, shared accountability and stronger policy-operational alignment between training providers, employers and social partners across the region. Successfully developing quality apprenticeships requires a higher level of workplace learning within the pathway, although there has already been improvement in the number of dual apprenticeships.

Preparation for the 3rd QUEEN meeting in Turku

The 3rd QUEEN meeting in Turku, taking place on 20–21 May 2026, will be hosted by Turku University of Applied Sciences. The host outlined the agenda, technical details and logistical preparations needed to coordinate a successful programme. The two-day event will include strategic perspectives from the university of applied sciences on the significance of internships, an exchange of good practices, a study visit offering insights into apprenticeship training from industry experts, and workshops featuring good practices and activities of the Foresight Academy.

EARLALL introduced a brief overview to the capacity-building module designed to support interregional learning within the project. As part of semester 2, the module is created to ensure a common understanding of quality apprenticeships across all involved regions. The activity also illustrates current territorial progress in relation to the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA). It will be finalised in semester 6, concluding the shared knowledge about the QUEEN project and quality apprenticeships. As the advisory partner, EARLALL presented upcoming communication and reporting activities for the Turku meeting, including interviews with partners and stakeholders, media updates and logistical details to support the transition to semester 3. The upcoming semester will focus on partners’ good practices.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of interregional collaboration to ensure that quality apprenticeships respond to evolving labour-market needs by fostering inclusive pathways for both youth and adults. The upcoming visit to Finland will further reinforce cooperation among partners, strengthen peer learning and support quality apprenticeships by exchanging best practices and advancing the EFQEA criteria in practice. Through the project, EARLALL continues to advocate for high-quality, learner centred systems that empower regions and contribute to a resilient and competitive Europe.

On 14 April 2026, regional stakeholders, EU institutions and innovation actors gathered in Brussels for the policy roundtable “Regions at the Core of Europe’s Future Competitiveness and Innovation Leadership”, co-organised by European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) and European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA).

In the lead-up to the event, in March 2026, EARLALL joined 12 European networks in endorsing a joint open letter addressed to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council on the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034).

The event took place at a key moment for European policymaking, as discussions intensify on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) and the future direction of EU research, innovation and cohesion policies.

The roundtable brought together representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council, the European Committee of the Regions, regional offices and EU networks to reflect on how Europe can strengthen its global competitiveness while ensuring a place-based approach to innovation.

A central focus of the discussion was the future of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and their role in shaping EU investment frameworks. Participants underlined the risk that a more centralised approach could weaken the territorial dimension that has been key to Europe’s innovation performance.

While Council representatives indicated that discussions are ongoing on the future regulatory status of S3, several participants expressed concern that limiting its role could reduce its strategic relevance in EU policy design.

Representatives from the European Committee of the Regions highlighted the need to reinforce the political relevance of Smart Specialisation and to embed it within a long-term territorial vision.

Key messages included:

Reinforcing S3 as a strategic governance tool
Ensuring a long-term (10+ years) territorial perspective
Preserving the multilevel governance model as a core EU strength

Participants widely agreed that Europe’s innovation capacity relies on strong regional ecosystems and that weakening the territorial dimension would risk undermining one of the EU’s key assets.

EARLALL supports the call to maintain Smart Specialisation as a central element of the future EU policy framework. At the same time, the network stresses that S3 should be recognised not only as an innovation policy instrument, but also as a framework for skills and human capital development.

From EARLALL’s perspective, regional innovation systems depend fundamentally on education, training and lifelong learning systems that equip people with the skills needed for regional transformation.

From the European Parliament perspective, speakers reiterated the importance of regions as the main drivers of innovation and competitiveness.

They emphasised that:

Competitiveness should be embedded across the entire EU budget
Predictability is essential for innovation ecosystems
EU funding must ensure stability and long-term planning capacity

The Parliament is expected to adopt its position later in April, with a strong focus on safeguarding the role of regions in future EU policy frameworks. Ongoing discussions on potential new EU revenue sources were also mentioned in relation to the long-term sustainability of EU investment capacity.

Members of the European Parliament’s REGI Committee stressed that innovation takes place in regions, where skills systems, industries and governance structures interact. They called for stronger coherence between: Cohesion Policy, ERDF, Interreg and the Future research and innovation programmes. Smart Specialisation was highlighted as a strategic framework that should remain central to EU competitiveness policy.

The event also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between European regional networks. With multiple signatories present, participants underlined the need for stronger coordination in the coming months as negotiations on the next MFF progress.

Future work will focus on aligning policy messages, coordinating engagement with EU institutions, and sustaining momentum around joint advocacy efforts.

The roundtable confirmed a shared message: Europe’s competitiveness and innovation leadership depend on its regions. Place-based approaches, supported by strong regional governance and cooperation, remain essential to effective and inclusive EU policymaking.

As discussions on the future EU budget continue, EARLALL will remain actively engaged in promoting the role of regions, skills and lifelong learning at the core of Europe’s future competitiveness.

On 7–8 April 2026, EARLALL took part in a session at the European Parliament focused on youth and vocational education and training (VET), reflecting on findings from a Youth Observatory study conducted by ENGIM. Discussions brought together representatives from European institutions, regional authorities and education stakeholders to reflect on how young people perceive work and learning today.

A key takeaway was the shift in how youth define success – increasingly linked to purpose, personal development and access to lifelong learning opportunities. Participants underlined the importance of education systems that foster resilience, adaptability and wellbeing, while ensuring fair access to employment pathways across regions.

Speakers also highlighted ongoing challenges, including unequal access to quality jobs and the need to better support vulnerable groups. Strengthening VET systems and aligning them with young people’s expectations remains essential for building inclusive labour markets.

The dialogue with ENGIM continued with a follow‑up meeting at EARLALL’s premises , where the organisation presented its work on youth policies, emphasising the role of regions in shaping effective, place-based solutions. Discussions focused on lifelong learning as a response to demographic change and the importance of creating flexible learning pathways for all age groups.

This exchange reaffirmed EARLALL’s commitment to advancing youth employment, inclusive education and lifelong learning across Europe. Through its working groups and upcoming initiatives, EARLALL will continue to promote regional cooperation and youth-centred policies that support resilient and inclusive societies.

On 27 March and 8 April, EARLALL organised two coordination meetings bringing together partners of the WISE (Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing) ESF+ project to prepare an upcoming series of online webinars.

All consortium members actively contributed to the discussions, including Centro PENC, Laboratorio di Gruppo Analisi, Animus, IRC, SkillLab and EARLALL. The meetings focused on shaping the overall format, content, timing and potential speakers for the four planned sessions.

A shared objective: from practice to replication

The webinar series aims to present the Holistic Support Centre (HSC) model, a comprehensive approach supporting migrant women’s integration. It will bring together experiences from implementation cities such as Turin, Milan, Rome and Sofia, while showcasing key insights from the WISE project.

Beyond sharing knowledge, the series seeks to encourage replication of the model in different regional and local contexts across Europe.

Who are the webinars for?

The sessions are designed for a wide range of stakeholders working on migrants integration and employment, including:

Municipalities and regional authorities
Employment and integration services
NGOs supporting migrants
Social enterprises
Women’s safe spaces and community centres

Four sessions exploring key dimensions of the HSC model

The webinar series will explore the Holistic Support Centre (HSC) model from multiple perspectives, including its operational set-up, key roles and methodologies, as well as approaches to mental health and safe spaces. It will also address pathways to employment, focusing on job readiness, soft skills and the use of innovative tools, including AI-based solutions. Drawing on experiences from implementation cities, the sessions will present practical case studies, highlight challenges and lessons learned, and reflect on local adaptation strategies. Finally, the series will foster discussion on the potential for replication, examining the conditions, capacities and support needed to implement similar models in different contexts.

Looking ahead

The upcoming webinars will provide a valuable opportunity to exchange practices, reflect on lessons learned and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders working to support migrant women across Europe.

They will also contribute to building momentum towards the WISE Final Conference in Brussels in September, where key findings and experiences will be further shared.

More information, including confirmed agendas and registration details, will be shared soon. Interested stakeholders are welcome to join the WISE stakeholders database to stay informed via this link.

The conference “Future Västra Götaland 2026 – Global Challenges, West Swedish Solutions” opened with a joint session where regional representatives and experts highlighted forward-looking themes such as international competitiveness, the opportunities and challenges of the climate transition, and youth perspectives on the future.

This year’s edition brought together stakeholders from across the region to reflect on how to address today’s societal challenges and shape the future together. Moderator Emanuel Karlsten opened the day with a reminder that major societal problems can be solved—history has shown this. The real question is what choices we make here and now.

Collaboration and inclusion were recurring themes throughout the conference. Madeleine Jonsson, Chair of the Environment and Regional Development Committee, emphasized the importance of recognizing and utilising women’s competencies.

She noted that innovation is often perceived as brilliance, but in practice, it is frequently shaped by more everyday factors: who is considered credible, who has access to capital, who is invited into decision-making spaces, and who is not.

She extended three clear invitations to participants:

Listen to someone you don’t usually listen to.
Take an idea more seriously than you normally would.
Reflect on your own role in opening—or closing—doors for others.

Helena Lundberg Nilsson, Regional Development Director, highlighted the updated regional development strategy for Västra Götaland 2021–2030, with a view to 2045, which framed the themes and discussions of the conference.

She expressed appreciation for the broad engagement during the consultation process, noting that more responses were received than in previous strategy work. This, she explained, reflects a strong regional commitment and a shared willingness to participate in shaping Västra Götaland’s future.

She also described the work as an exercise in joint leadership, emphasizing the importance of acting with confidence in uncertain times, particularly as global conditions continue to evolve rapidly.

A central part of the conference focused on the role of young people in shaping the future.

Helen Ashtari, youth representative in the EU Youth Dialogue, shared how early involvement in regional structures helped her understand decision-making processes and inspired her continued engagement at both regional and EU levels.

She highlighted a recurring challenge: many young people feel disconnected from decision-making institutions, especially at the EU level. While they may be aware of these structures, they often lack clarity on how decisions affect their daily lives.

She stressed the importance of more concrete communication, continuous engagement, and effective feedback mechanisms to ensure that young people feel their voices are heard and valued.

Kenny Dos Santos, entrepreneur and International Youth Representative for Västra Götaland, described how trust and responsibility played a key role in his development. Being given opportunities before feeling fully ready helped him grow in confidence and capability.

He emphasised that young people should not only be included in discussions but also entrusted with meaningful responsibility. Looking ahead, he pointed to the importance of navigating an increasingly complex information landscape shaped by digitalisation and misinformation, highlighting critical thinking and lifelong learning as essential skills.

In his view, curiosity is one of the most important qualities to preserve in a rapidly changing world. He also advocated for early opportunities for responsibility within the education system, where student influence should be genuinely student-led from an early age.

The conference highlighted a common message: the future is not something we wait for—it is something we actively shape together through the choices we make today.