On 21 November, the European Commission hosted the third meeting of the Harnessing Talent Platform (HTP) Working Groups in Brussels. This session is part of the ongoing work under Pillar 7 of the Talent Booster Mechanism (TBM).

EARLALL has been participating in the process since its launch in November 2023, contributing actively to the Research & Innovation (R&I) Working Group and supporting the development of shared outputs aimed at helping regions address demographic challenges.

The meeting was opened by Kadri Uustal, Head of Unit for Cities, Communities and People at the European Commission (DG REGIO), who highlighted the growing urgency of demographic change across Europe and the need to reinforce essential services as a foundation for attracting and retaining talent. She also presented upcoming Commission initiatives, including the development of a “right to stay” approach, and outlined the timeline for the final HTP deliverables, set for publication in March 2026.

The meeting featured three panels that explored how regions can strengthen their capacity to attract, develop and retain talent. Speakers from the European Commission, OECD, regional authorities and Working Group experts shared perspectives on emerging challenges and practical solutions.

The first panel underlined that the availability, accessibility and quality of essential services—healthcare, education, mobility, digital connectivity and social care—are critical to attracting and retaining talent in all types of regions. The second panel, dedicated to Digital Innovation and Regional Talent Readiness, explored how strong digital ecosystems can equip regions for emerging labour market needs. Working Groups shared progress on a new self-assessment tool designed to help territories evaluate and strengthen their digital talent readiness. The third panel examined how skills strategies can reinforce regional innovation systems and support place-based development. EARLALL contributed to this discussion through its active participation in the Research & Innovation Working Group.

In the afternoon, Working Groups came together in dedicated breakout sessions to refine the three joint deliverables currently under development:

  • Recommendation Paper on Essential Services and Quality of Life
  • Regional Talent Readiness Self-Assessment Tool
  • Recommendation Paper on Skills Development in Place-Based Innovation Strategies

Members reviewed the insights gathered during the morning panels, discussed outstanding gaps, and explored how to strengthen the practical relevance of each output for regional implementation. The workshops focused on translating the WGs’ analytical work into concrete, actionable recommendations that can support regions facing demographic, economic and skills-related challenges.

Over the coming months, the Working Groups will finalise their deliverables, ahead of their planned publication in March 2026. This phase will also include final consultations and the release of the second volume of the good practices catalogue.

In her closing remarks, the European Commission underlined the strong coherence emerging across the four Working Groups. While each group began with a distinct thematic focus, their outputs are now converging into a well-aligned and mutually reinforcing set of recommendations designed to address Europe’s diverse demographic challenges.

The Commission highlighted several key messages:

  • All regions face demographic pressures, albeit in different forms, and therefore need adaptable, forward-looking policy tools.
  • High-quality essential services—including health, education, mobility and social support—must remain at the centre of talent strategies, as they directly shape quality of life and regional attractiveness.
  • The final outputs should provide practical, implementable guidance that reflects local realities and supports long-term strategic planning.
  • Knowledge valorisation, inclusiveness and territorial relevance must remain core principles throughout the Talent Booster Mechanism.

The Commission also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the forthcoming recommendations are communicated effectively to regions and genuinely support them in addressing their challenges in a fast-changing environment.

EARLALL will continue to contribute expertise and regional perspectives to the R&I Working Group, ensuring that learning, skills and territorial needs remain at the centre of EU talent policies.

EARLALL welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for the Erasmus+ programme 2028–2034, recognising its vision for a more inclusive, competitive, and cohesive Europe through education, training, youth, and sport. However, the proposal underrepresents the crucial role of regional and local authorities as strategic partners, essential for translating EU-level ambitions into tangible local impact.

Regional and local authorities are not just implementers—they provide territorial knowledge, governance structures, and democratic legitimacy, ensuring Erasmus+ delivers meaningful results for all Europeans, particularly the most vulnerable.

This position paper builds on EARLALL’s earlier contribution on Erasmus+ in the 2028–2035 MFF, and focuses on key areas to strengthen regional and local involvement:

Key Recommendations: 

  • Governance & territorial insight: Ensure regional and local authorities have systematic input in programme planning, implementation, and peer-learning activities.
  • Capacity & accessibility: Support regions and cities, especially smaller or less experienced ones, through simplified procedures, guidance, and capacity-building measures.
  • Programme objectives & balance: Maintain a holistic approach to learning, combining skills and labour-market relevance with lifelong learning, active citizenship, and transversal competences.
  • Budget & sector balance: Provide predictable, multi-year funding allocations to support continuity across sectors such as VET, adult learning, and youth.
  • Flagship initiatives & local ecosystems: Anchor programmes like Centres of Vocational Excellence and European Universities in strong regional networks, ensuring accessibility for new and smaller partners.
  • Synergies with other EU programmes: Promote coordination with ESF+, ERDF, Horizon Europe, and other instruments to maximise territorial impact.

With these measures, Erasmus+ can fully deliver on its potential to support inclusive, relevant, and transformative learning for all Europeans.

EARLALL’s full position paper is attached for further details.
For more information, please contact: earlall@earlall.eu

Borås, in Region Västra Götaland, and Barcelona, in Catalonia, both share a rich textile heritage that continues to evolve through innovation and strong regional ecosystems. This shared legacy provided the backdrop for a recent study visit to Barcelona, where representatives from the Textile Fashion Center Borås took part in a series of exchanges and meetings aimed at strengthening cross-regional cooperation.

The Swedish delegation included companies from the textile and fashion sector, as well as representatives from TEX! Sweden—the national platform supporting collaboration, innovation, and growth within Swedish textiles—and Borås INK, a startup incubator driving entrepreneurial development in technology, textiles, and fashion.

The study visit offered a comprehensive programme showcasing Catalonia’s dynamic textile and innovation landscape. Participants visited MODACC, the Catalan Fashion and Textile Cluster, where they gained insight into the region’s collaborative strategies for competitiveness, sustainability, and internationalisation. The agenda also included a visit to TecnoCampus in Mataró, an innovation hub affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University, which integrates a business park and incubator to support entrepreneurship and applied research.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme throughout the visit. The delegation met with Coleo Recycling, an organisation dedicated to advancing circularity and driving systemic change in the textile industry. Two leading companies with strong sustainability commitments—Mango HQ and TwoThirds—also opened their doors to the group, offering valuable perspectives on responsible production and innovative business models.

To conclude the visit, the delegation explored Tech Barcelona, a vibrant innovation hub that brings together startups, companies, and research actors in shared spaces designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and technological development.

This exchange highlighted the strong potential for continued cooperation between Västra Götaland and Catalonia, reinforcing the importance of regional partnerships in driving sustainable innovation, supporting industry transformation, and strengthening skills ecosystems across Europe.

The annual international conference Borås Textile Days took place on 12–13 November 2025, bringing together experts, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the future of the textile and fashion industries. Under the theme “The jobs of the future are circular – but what do they look like?”, the Nordic Textile Academy hosted a panel discussion featuring Ms Madeleine Jonsson, Chair of the Environment and Regional Development Committee of Region Västra Götaland and President of EARLALL.

The session was opened by Mr Christian Lundell, Director of the Nordic Textile Academy, who highlighted the emergence of new professional roles needed to support the sector’s transition towards circularity. The discussion was moderated by Mr Henrik Grönberg, Communications Manager at the Nordic Textile Academy.

Introducing a New Role: The Textile Material Broker

During the panel, Ms Jonsson presented an innovative role being developed within Region Västra Götaland: the Material Broker. As she explained, large volumes of textiles are collected through various residual streams, but significant challenges remain in returning these materials to the value chain.

A Material Broker will play a key function by:

  • Identifying and cataloguing available materials
  • Connecting suppliers with companies capable of reuse or recycling
  • Supporting the development of an efficient regional infrastructure
  • Helping close the gap between collection systems and circular market demand

Region Västra Götaland sees this as a future profession essential to ensuring that collected textiles are reused or processed into higher-value applications rather than being downcycled or wasted.

A Regional Responsibility and Opportunity

Reflecting on the region’s commitment, Ms Jonsson noted that Sweden faces a concrete and growing need to better utilise textile materials that have already been collected and sorted but are not yet reaching reuse or recycling pathways.

With Västra Götaland’s long-standing heritage and strong contemporary presence in textile and fashion industries, the region sees both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the shift toward a more circular and resource-efficient system.

To support this ambition, the region has invested more than SEK 40 million (€3.6 million EUR) over recent years in initiatives advancing textile circularity and innovation.

A Collaborative Effort: The Textile Movement

The new broker role forms part of a wider project financed by Region Västra Götaland and carried out within the Textile Movement initiative. This collaborative platform brings together 14 organisations, including:

Science Park Borås, RISE, the Swedish School of Textiles/University of Borås, Wargön Innovation, Nordic Textile Academy, Academy of Cutting and Tailoring, TEKO, the Swedish Trade Federation, Swedish Fashion Council, Borås Region, City of Borås, Business Region Göteborg, West Sweden Tourist Board, and Region Västra Götaland.

The project runs until December 2027 and is funded by the EU, the European Regional Development Fund, and Region Västra Götaland.

Swiss education and training stakeholders are one important step closer to being eligible as full consortia members for Erasmus+ calls: On 10 November 2025, the Swiss government and the European Commission signed the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) in Bern. This event marked the end of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, which had commenced back in March 2024. The signature is therefore an important step towards Swiss association to the Erasmus+ programme and allows for the immediate provisional association to several other EU funding programmes, including Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme.   

The EUPA signature gives Swiss researchers the green light to apply to Horizon Europe (retroactively  from 01 January 2025) and allows Switzerland to associate to Erasmus+ by 2027. Two important milestones must still be completed before the Erasmus+ association can be finalised: First, the Swiss parliament will have to approve the funds necessary to finance Swiss participation in the programme, as third countries pay a contribution to gain programme access. Second, the Swiss national agency for the promotion of exchange and mobility in education, Movetia, will have to be accredited by the European Commission as the National Agency for Erasmus+. As Switzerland is not an EU member state, its association to the programmes as a third country will ultimately require ratification of the agreement by the European Parliament.

For Swiss educators, trainers and learners, joining Erasmus+ for the first time since 2014 would unlock new opportunities for European collaboration and intercultural exchange. Under the current annual work programme, participation opportunities for Swiss organisations and individuals are severely limited: In cooperation partnerships, Swiss participants are mostly confined to ‘associated partners’, which requires the parallel acquisition of additional Swiss funding and offers limited possibilities for leadership within consortia. Many actions, particularly pilots and newly developed programme formats, such as Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, are entirely closed off to Swiss participation.

In the meantime, Switzerland is providing funding through its own programme, the ‘Swiss solution’, which enables international partnerships and mobility in Europe and beyond. This allows the Swiss education and training sector to retain and grow its international network, strengthen exchange capacity and actively participate in cross-border best practice sharing. Movetia, responsible for implementing the Swiss solution, is also an earlall member and ensures through such commitments that Swiss trainers and learners remain part of the conversation around international VET exchange and collaboration.

Author: Sandra Gillner, SwissCore


On 20 November, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) hosted a webinar to introduce the new Toolkit on Adult Apprenticeships, bringing together EAfA members, policymakers, Public Employment Services, organizations and civil society representatives to discuss its relevance and practical use.
EARLALL participated in the session, contributing to the exchange on how the toolkit can support the development of high-quality adult apprenticeship pathways.

This moment was particularly significant for EARLALL, as it served as a meaningful follow-up to our earlier involvement in shaping the Toolkit. In July 2025, EARLALL provided feedback on the EAfA Toolkit on Adult Apprenticeships through the Stakeholder Consultation. By contributing its comments, EARLALL supported the development of this reference tool at European level.

Andrew McCoshan, VET Expert at EAfA, opened the webinar with welcome remarks and handed over to Andrea Leruste, Deputy Head of Unit, DG EMPL, European Commission, who highlighted the growing necessity of upskilling and reskilling. Leruste noted that apprenticeships allow training to be tailored to the specific needs of adults, supporting them in their everyday lives with flexibility and practical benefits. She emphasized the importance of the toolkit in overcoming barriers and leveraging best practices to create new opportunities.

A panel discussion followed designed to explore key issues around apprenticeships from multiple perspectives. Gina Ebner, Head of Policy and Deputy Secretary General of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), emphasized the importance of keeping the learner at the center. Further highlighting how the toolkit provides guidance and flexible learning pathways to recognize and validate diverse needs. Ebner further tackled the stigma surrounding apprenticeships, stressing the importance of promoting the positive outcome of apprenticeships and presenting them as a valuable pathway for those seeking to become skilled craftspeople. Gertrud Hirtreiter, Head of Unit at the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts, complemented Ebner’s message with the employer’s perspective, calling for a forward-looking learning system, including women in male-dominated fields and people from migrant backgrounds. Hirtreiter underscored the need to link the many facets of the lifelong learning domain with the demands of industry, lifting digital tools as enablers for enhancing flexibility.

Sara Consuegra, Labour Area Officer at PIMEC, voiced the mismatch between supply and demand, calling for more coordination between companies and VET to tackle outdated skills. Vlasis Korovilos, Expert at CEDEFOP Department for VET and Skills, built on the discussion by mentioning a compatible learning experience for adults by introducing smart incentives and raising awareness. Concluding that apprenticeships must be available to adults through adapted curricula to maximize their benefit.

Flavia Colonnese, Senior Research Manager at Ecorys, presented an overview of the EAfA Toolkit. Underlining the different phases in adult apprenticeships and main takeaways from the toolkit, such as:

  • Key concepts to understand adult education and the role of apprenticeships in supporting lifelong learning.
  • Overview of the main EU policies and funding instruments that supports adult education.
  • Building blocks for policymakers to establish an enabling environment for adult apprenticeships.
  • Step-by-step guidance to support companies, VET providers, and PES (Performative
  • Evaluation Standard).
  • Examples of implemented projects and relevant initiatives.
  • A checklist summarizing the key steps of setting up and implementing apprenticeships.

Through QUEEN, Quality apprenticeships for evolving labour needs Interreg project and its WG on Youth Policies, EARLALL is actively supporting the improvement of regional apprenticeship policies across Europe. Local and regional stakeholders play a crucial role in effective outreach, enabling adults to actively shape their apprenticeship learning experiences. The discussion also addressed the role of micro-credentials in adult apprenticeships, welcoming their flexibility as a tool to update curricula and enhance pedagogical approaches. EARLALL closely follows EAfA’s work, contributing to a more responsive and future-ready adult learning and apprenticeship ecosystem.


On 19 November, BeWell (Blueprint alliance for a future health workforce strategy on digital and green skills) invited EARLALL to their 3rd workshop, the Pact for Skills Large-Scale Partnership (LSP) for the Health Ecosystem, focusing on developing green and digital skills strategies at local, regional, national, and European levels through the Pact for Skills.

Marco Di Donato, Policy and Projects Manager at EUREGHA Secretariat, opened the event by recapping opportunities and activities supporting the membership of the Pact for Skills partnership, before launching the first round of the workshop, identifying pathways and good practices. This break-out session mapped the landscape of funding instruments, local and regional funding opportunities, and different ways to finance projects. Discussions included Erasmus+, the future of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and highlighted Interreg Europe and EARLALL’s ongoing project SKYLA (Smart Specialisation Ecosystems for the Twin Transition) as examples of projects promoting digital and green skills.

In the second round, participants shared insights on funding challenges and barriers to applying, highlighting the limits of different funding bodies, the experience needed to navigate complex funding landscapes, and the long timeframes between proposal submission and implementation. To address these difficulties related to policy changes, enablers included maximizing existing partner networks, creating synergies, and securing future funding, even for projects in declining trends. The conversation concluded with reflections on new instruments to measure soft skills in education and KPIs.

In the final round, participants brainstormed challenges and solutions for implementing green, digital, and soft skills, agreeing that funding must be more agile to address emerging needs and calling for clearer communication and feedback on funding instruments. Participants emphasized the importance of a common language and system to analyze policies consistently, aligning interventions with skills gaps and easing future accreditation. Another key point was the upskilling of good practices through structured ecosystems involving public authorities, associations, and universities to generate effective solutions.

Following a presentation on the BeWell Skills strategy, including advocacy and publications through the Pact for Skills, the event concluded with discussions on how the BeWell Partnership can extend beyond the project’s lifetime, strengthening its links with the Pact for Skills to support a resilient and future-ready European health workforce. As a proud member of the Pact for Skills, EARLALL strengthens its commitment to building strong regional alliances and advancing skills development for sustainable employment. By deepening collaboration and outreach while highlighting lifelong learning, EARLALL contributes to fostering a skilled and sustainable workforce across Europe.

The first Steering Committee meeting of the WISE project took place online on 18 November, bringing together all project partners – with EARLALL attending in its role as Communication Leader – to review progress, discuss reporting requirements, and plan the upcoming stages of work. The meeting provided an important opportunity to align activities, share updates, and ensure smooth implementation across all work packages.

Programme Updates and Ongoing Activities

Partners presented updates on programme activities, showing good progress across several key areas:

  • Baseline assessments have been carried out, including key informant interviews, desk research, and co-design meetings with stakeholders and community leaders.
  • Labour market assessments are ongoing to better understand opportunities for Ukrainian refugee women in partner countries.
  • Outreach activities continue, aiming to reach and engage the target population effectively.
  • Job readiness activities have begun in the Holistic Support Centres.
  • Mental health support is being provided to users, and planning for group therapy sessions is underway.
  • Work has also started on the integration of the AI tool with employment support services.

Overall, these efforts support the project’s wider goal of reducing unemployment and improving the socio-economic inclusion of Ukrainian refugee women.

Reporting and Pending Deliverables

The meeting included a review of reporting procedures and the deliverables due by the end of November. Partners briefly presented the status of each pending output, including:

  • The Draft Toolkit for the Holistic Support Centre model.
  • The Roll-out Plan for pilot implementation.
  • A report on staff capacity strengthening.
  • The Labour Market Assessment for Italy and Bulgaria.
  • The contextualisation and co-branding report for the AI skills assessment tool.
  • A report on staff training on the AI tool.

Most deliverables are in the final stages of preparation and will be submitted on time.

Staff Training and Capacity Building

Partners also discussed the completed and upcoming staff trainings.
Recent activities included:

  • Staff capacity strengthening sessions for Fondazione International Rescue Committee Italia ETS (IRC) and Animus Association Foundation (AAF) staff.
  • Training on the AI Skills Assessment Tool in Milan and Sofia.
  • Sessions on the Women Rise toolkit.

Future trainings will address:

  • Country-specific employment regulations, such as tax systems, contract types, and regulated professions.
  • A training on human trafficking and labour exploitation, scheduled for November 2025.

Next Meetings and Exchange Visit

The next Steering Committee and coordination meetings will continue regularly. The partners also confirmed that the next in-person meeting will take place in Rome on 16 January.
In addition, a mutual exchange visit is planned for 14 January, with the agenda currently being drafted.

The WISE – Supporting Ukrainian (UA) Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing project proposes a social innovation model which integrates mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) with employment services enabled by technology driven solutions to create a holistic support system. 

WISE aims to improve the socio-economic inclusion and wellbeing of employable refugee women from UA in Italy (IT) and Bulgaria (BG), by piloting and scaling-up Holistic Support Centres (HSCs) with a trauma-informed and gender-sensitive approach that build on the Women and Girls Safe Space (WGSS) methodology and complement it with employment and social support services.

On 18 November 2025, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) hosted a high-level dialogue on the future of Cohesion Policy at a decisive moment for the European Union. With negotiations underway for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), representatives from EU institutions, national governments, regions, and expert organisations gathered in Brussels to assess the European Commission’s recent proposals and their implications for the Union’s territorial, social and economic cohesion. EARLALL was also present, contributing to the debate from the perspective of regions committed to lifelong learning and territorial development.

From the outset, the message was unequivocal: Cohesion Policy remains the backbone of European integration, and its future must continue to reflect the diversity and realities of Europe’s territories. As one participant aptly summarised, “Nothing about the regions, without the regions.”

A Call to Defend the Territorial Dimension of Europe

Opening the event, Vasco Alves Cordeiro underlined that cohesion is not merely a financial instrument, but a core expression of the European promise that no region should be left behind. He warned that while simplification and flexibility are necessary, they must not come at the expense of the role of subnational authorities. The Commission’s July proposal, he stressed, risks doing precisely that.

Poland, represented by Undersecretary of State Monika Sikora, echoed this vision. Cohesion Policy, she noted, has been decisive for the country’s modernisation and must remain rooted in multilevel governance. “Cohesion must stay close to citizens,” she insisted, highlighting Poland’s continued commitment to the Cohesion Alliance.

Clarifications – But also Uncertainties – in the Commission’s Proposal

Peter Berkowitz (DG REGIO) presented the Commission’s perspective, outlining several new safeguards including a regional check, strengthened transparency, and a 10% rural development target. While intended as clarifications, these measures did not fully dispel concerns shared by CoR, regions, and experts.

Professor John Bachtler (EPRC) offered a detailed analysis, applauding some progress but warning that the merging of policy headings, reduced funding, and new allocation mechanisms risk weakening the visibility, predictability and territorial focus of Cohesion Policy. He stressed potential long-term risks: wider territorial disparities and a drift toward renationalisation.

Governance: The Heart of the Debate

Governance issues dominated the second panel.
Former MEP Jan Olbrycht underlined that the proposed model resembles the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), where consultations with regions are not mandatory. Several speakers warned this could sideline regions, weaken partnership principles, and undermine the effectiveness of territorial investment.

Spain’s Mercedes Caballero highlighted the incompatibility between a single national plan and decentralised systems like Spain’s, where regions hold extensive competences. Without clear regional involvement, she warned, the EU risks returning to “a Europe of nations, not a Europe of regions.”

Representatives from Portugal and the Socialist group raised further concerns about missing references to geography, smart specialisation, and the risk of political use of centralised funds.

Interinstitutional Perspectives: A Shared Responsibility

Council representative Peter Hedegaard-Degn emphasised that discussions are at an early stage and that Member States hold diverging views. Cooperation between national and regional levels varies significantly, making a one-size-fits-all model unrealistic.

In contrast, the European Parliament delivered a strong, united message. MEPs Siegfried Muresan and Carla Tavares reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that regions remain central to Cohesion Policy and to preserving standalone, predictable funding for cohesion and agriculture.

A United Call for a Stronger, More Territorial Cohesion Policy

Across all panels, a consistent message emerged:

  • Cohesion Policy must remain a long-term, place-based investment tool.
  • Regions and cities must be involved at all stages of planning and implementation.
  • The proposal needs substantial revision to safeguard territorial cohesion and multilevel governance.

As the Union enters a new phase of negotiations leading up to the December European Council, participants stressed the need for continued dialogue and collective action.

On 18 November 2025, the 15th EARLALL Academy session took place online, focusing on the role, mission, and impact of National VET Teams in Europe, with insightful examples from Spain and Sweden.

Held as part of EARLALL’s ongoing commitment to strengthening vocational education and training (VET), the session brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders eager to learn how national networks contribute to improving VET quality, innovation, and internationalisation.

The session featured:

  • Elin Karvonen, Programme Officer for Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships in VET at the Swedish National Agency (UHR) and Coordinator of the Swedish National VET Team.
  • Miriam Castillo González, Head of the Service for Programmes and Projects for the Promotion of Vocational Education at the Directorate General for Vocational Education of Catalonia, contributing to Spain’s National VET Team.

The speakers introduced the mission, structure, and activities of their National VET Teams, showing how these networks support VET institutions in improving quality, fostering innovation, and strengthening internationalisation through Erasmus+.

Participants gained valuable insights into:

  • How National VET Teams operate in practice,
  • Concrete support and training examples from Sweden and Spain,
  • Opportunities for enhancing VET quality and international cooperation.

It was an inspiring and informative session, showcasing the strength of national expertise networks and offering practical ideas for improving VET across regions.

The Education and Training Monitor 2025 was launched during the European Education and Skills Summit 2025, providing the latest insights into education and training systems across Europe — from early childhood education to adult learning and skills development.

This year, the Education and Training Monitor 2025 takes a closer look at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and explores key questions for policymakers and practitioners:

  • Are women entering STEM?
  • Does digital learning improve performance?
  • Does work-based learning strengthen links between VET and higher education?
  • Are more international students choosing Europe?
  • Has adult literacy improved over the decade?

For EARLALL and its member regions, these questions are highly relevant as they reflect ongoing challenges and opportunities in regional education, vocational training, and lifelong learning.

Regional Relevance: What the Monitor Tells Us

  • STEM and Gender Equality: Persistent gaps in STEM enrolment, particularly among women, highlight the need for regional initiatives to make STEM fields more attractive, inclusive, and connected to local labor market needs.
  • Adult Learning & Lifelong Learning: The report shows that adult learning participation remains uneven across regions, reinforcing the importance of upskilling and reskilling initiatives to address demographic changes and workforce transitions.
  • VET and Work-Based Learning: Stronger links between vocational education, higher education, and international mobility are crucial to boost innovation and ensure skills are recognized across borders.
  • Digital and Green Transitions: The Monitor underscores how education systems must support digitalisation, sustainability, and green skills — all core priorities for EARLALL in 2026.

The Education and Training Monitor 2025 is a vital tool for regional policymakers, VET providers, and lifelong learning stakeholders. EARLALL will continue to support members in turning insights into action, fostering innovation, cross-border cooperation, and inclusive skills strategies across Europe.

Explore the full report: Education and Training Monitor 2025

The European Commission has recently unveiled its Culture Compass for Europe, a strategic framework designed to place culture at the heart of EU policy and strengthen the role of cultural and creative sectors across regions. The initiative aims to support artists, cultural professionals, and regional authorities, while promoting Europe’s cultural diversity, heritage, and innovation.

Why It Matters for Regional Development and Skills

Culture is more than an expression of identity—it is also a driver of regional development, social cohesion, and economic resilience. The Culture Compass emphasizes fair working conditions for artists, empowerment of cultural professionals, and stronger connections between culture, sustainability, and digital innovation.
For EARLALL and its member regions, these priorities closely align with our 2026 strategic focus, including:

  • Fostering innovation in education through AI, digital, and green transitions, which can transform creative practices and cultural production.
  • Enhancing the attractiveness and retention in VET and adult learning, ensuring that creative and cultural professions remain appealing career paths.
  • Strengthening governance and cross-border recognition in VET and lifelong learning, which can support mobility and collaborative projects in the cultural sector.
  • Contributing to the “Union of Skills”, ensuring that skills development in the creative industries is recognized and valued at regional and European levels.
  • Promoting democratic engagement, citizenship, and social inclusion, leveraging culture as a tool for civic participation and social cohesion.

On January 28, 2025, EARLALL explored this area through our sectoral skills webinar on Creative and Cultural Industries, which examined the challenges and opportunities for vocational education, training, and lifelong learning in the sector. The Compass reinforces the need to equip cultural professionals with the skills required for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration.

Key Actions of the Culture Compass

The Commission proposes a series of flagship actions to implement the Compass, including:

  • An EU Artists Charter promoting fair working conditions and recognition for cultural professionals.
  • A European Prize for Performing Arts to celebrate excellence in the sector.
  • A Youth Cultural Ambassadors Network to engage young people and expand access to culture.
  • A new EU Cultural Data Hub to improve data collection, analysis, and knowledge sharing.
  • Initiatives linking culture, digitalisation, and sustainability, including the use of AI in the creative industries.

Opportunities for Regions

The Compass offers opportunities for regional authorities to support cultural education, strengthen creative VET programmes, and foster innovation in local cultural ecosystems. By leveraging these initiatives, regions can enhance the attractiveness of cultural and creative sectors, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.

EARLALL will continue to monitor the implementation of the Culture Compass and explore ways for member regions to engage with these initiatives, building on our previous work in the creative and cultural industries sector.

Read more: European Commission Press Release