Education Archives - Assembly of European Regions

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#HotlineCohesion: EUTeens4Green – Youth Ways for a Just Transition

15 March, 2023 By Anna Comacchio

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.

HOW TO MITIGATE THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE TRANSITION

It is no secret that the very needed green transition will lead to profound changes in the labour market – ‘new jobs will be created, while some jobs will be replaced and other refined’. Ensuring a fair and just transition becomes therefore a crucial point of action for regions and its youth.

In the Zasavska region in Western Slovenia for instance, since 2013 almost 5.000 jobs have been lost and the GDP has been dropping to 53% of the Slovenian average due to the closure of the Zasavaje coal mine and the region’s coal-fuelled power plant. Yet, studies show that the adoption of clean energy technologies in more than half of the EU coal regions can counter this effect through the creation of around 460.000 new jobs by 2050. The need to manage this change and develop appropriate supportive actions (as fostering the s.c. green skills20) to fully exploit the employment potential of the transition is one of the greatest responsibilities of the EU and its regions.

In the coming years, the Cohesion policy will support regions in their transition paths at several levels:

Actions needed to mitigate the impact of the transition on the society (as labour market interventions and reskilling of the workforce) will be supported under Policy Objective 4 ‘A more social and inclusive Europe’. In addition, financial support from the Just Transition Fund will be delivered to regions in the Just Transition Plans to alleviate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the transition.

HOW DOES YOUTH GET INVOLVED?

Why is it essential to include young people in the Just Transition process?

Enabling young people to have a say in their future, be designers of their own projects and therefore become leaders and future leaders in their own communities are building blocks for achieving a fairer and more equal society. Young people are utterly concerned about the environment and they can be agents of change.

The EUTeens4Green project is a call to action for teens to take ownership in their communities and contribute to a fair and just green transition in the areas most in need to phase out coal and transitioning to forms of less polluting and renewable energies.

Through mini-grants provided directly to groups of young people, the project is designed to empower the next generation to become actors of change in their regions and help to reduce socio-economic disparities. By focusing on regions identified in the preliminary analysis of the Territorial Just Transition Plans and most affected by the low-carbon transition, the project has the potential to alleviate inequalities between regions and create a more equitable future for all.

THE STAKES.

The criteria to run a EUTeeens4Green project are:

Take place in a Just Transition region
Be run by young people aged 15-24
Request a max. refunding of €10.000
Last maximum of 12 months
Must engage social groups negatively affected by the transition to a green economy
Ensure diversity & inclusion and good environmental performance

Projects to be funded in the frame of EUTeens4Green may cover activities like the following (non-exhaustive list):

Awareness-raising/communication activities
Capacity-building actions (education, training, mentoring, events)
Campaigning and advocacy activities
Participatory processes aimed to engage with different groups of people
Innovative solutions or pilots for testing innovative solutions
Exchange of good practices
Research
Other activities in line with the scope of the action

Applications for the first cohort closed on the 9th of January and we are looking forward to knowing more about the successful applicants and their experience!!

Check out the page to find out too and to keep yourself posted when a new call is open!

See you next week at #HotlineCohesion!

The Youthopia Project is co-funded by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban policy (DG REGIO) of the European Commission.

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#HotlineCohesion: Cohesion Policy for a Young and Green Future

15 February, 2023 By Anna Comacchio

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.

The many opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.

Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINE COHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions!

Youth unemployment is a longstanding challenge for Europe

High youth unemployment in Europe has been a persistent issue for the last decades. Post-pandemic figures show that, as of October 2021, 2.905 million youth (under 25) were NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) in the EU and the youth unemployment rate was 15.9%. Unless appropriate measures are taken, more and more young people may disengage from active job search, and they may grow distant from the political and social life of their communities.

The EU response to youth unemployment

This issue becomes even more relevant in light of the new Cohesion policy 2021-27, especially when it comes to relaunching local economies and jobs which have been largely affected by the pandemic. The new policy provides several novelties such as the new European Social Fund+ and the Youth Employment Initiative, and the Just Transition Fund – which are further reinforced through the financial support coming through Recovery and Resilience Facility and REACT-EU as part of the Recovery Plan for Europe.

The youth action for a green and fair future

On their side, young citizens lead the protests asking for concrete actions to be taken to fight climate change, protect biodiversity and safeguard their future. With the adoption of the European Green Deal, the EU made the response to these requests its highest priority, setting the ambitious goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050 while reducing greenhouse gas emission by 55% by 2030. When it comes to climate change, Cohesion policy is key as it provides the place-based framework and the financial support needed to ensure that a ‘just’ and ‘sustainable transition becomes an opportunity for European regions.

Youth for a Just Transition

The magnitude of the transition requires the active involvement of the young generations, as those mostly concerned by the transition. ‘Youth for a Just Transition: A Toolkit for a Youth Participation in the Just Transition Fund’ promoted by the European Commission highlights that young people’s participation in the transition process is essential because:

They have the ‘right to participate’ in decisions concerning their future;
They own ‘valuable ideas and skills’ that should be applied to develop a sustainable transition path and solutions to possible challenges;
They can foster the ‘intergenerational dimension’ of the transition raising the awareness of their local peers about its reasons and consequences;
‘Achieving a successful transition‘ requires providing ‘sufficient opportunities and good alternative jobs for young people’.

The Commission is also putting its money where its mouth is, fostering concrete actions to ensure meaningful participation of the youth in the transition process with calls for proposals such as ‘EUTEENS4GREEN’ (coming up soon in our #HotlineCohesion).

On its side, at AER we recognise the major importance to build upon the space that the transition provides for actions that are explicitly targeted to (re)launch youth employment in the context of a future and green economy and society. YOUTHopia is our space to make cohesion real for the NextGeneration.

See you next week at #HotlineCohesion!

The Youthopia Project is co-funded by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban policy (DG REGIO) of the European Commission.

[Partner Search] Erasmus+ VET & Learning Mobility Grants

30 September, 2022 By Anna Comacchio

Is your region or are organisations in your region looking to upscale exchanges and mobility schemes to foster upskilling, employability prospects and internationalisation?

The Public Service of Employment of Catalonia (SOC) is looking to establish reciprocity-based, long-term cooperation schemes, as well as explore other cooperation agreements, with the aim to send and host students and teachers carrying out a learning mobility experience.

SOC has been accredited by the Spanish Erasmus+ National Agency (SEPIE) as coordinator of an Erasmus+ VET consortium to promote mobility among teachers and students of professional employment courses – targeted at both unemployed and employed citizens.

Under this framework, SOC coordinates the ITER mobility project, a partnership of 28 Catalan VET centres which has been granted over 150 students’ mobility grants in the next years (under KA121 Erasmus+ VET calls) to carry out traineeship and job-shadowing experiences.

The ITER Mobility Project

The main objective of ITER mobility is to support participants on the mobility journey to ensure the growth of their employability by upskilling their personal and professional skills through a mobility experience abroad.

Student mobilities: three-months mobilities
Teacher mobilities: 7 – 10 days

At the moment, a call is now open for hosting partners to co-organise 115 mobilities by August 2023. You can find at this link the list of professional certificates which have been prioritised by the members of the consortium for the present call.

What we are looking for…

...reliable and enduring hosting partners for our Erasmus+ VET project to:

Host VET students in companies that offer quality traineeship placements
Organise job shadowing experiences for our VET teachers
Support them finding accommodation
Support finding or organising a language course, if required
Project documents management support
Emergency contact, if needed

What we offer…

…a reciprocity-based cooperation scheme:

We are a reliable hosting partner with a strong company network in Catalunya willing to host as many Erasmus+ students/teachers as we send you
We give support finding accommodation to your Erasmus+ participants hosted in Catalunya
We ensure all documents are taken into account
Support and guidance along the mobility cycle

If your region/organisation is interested in joining the ITER mobility project or discussing further cooperation options, please contact Anna Comacchio (AER Project and Policy Manager):

[email protected]

(Deadline: 15 November 2022)

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Skills for the Bioeconomy @AER Summer Academy in Donegal

27 September, 2022 By Johanna Pacevicius

The ambition of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy is to create a community amongst European regions to share challenges, and opportunities, and create the ground for future partnerships and projects.

Youth at the heart of the shift to green gold

On the occasion of the AER Summer Academy in Ireland, the AER working group on the Bioeconomy facilitated a workshop with young people, to challenge the current situation and ask how the bioeconomy can become the green gold for a sustainable future.

Getting the opportunity to increase knowledge and awareness around the challenges in the field of agriculture, especially for youth, was a wonderful and rewarding experience. The discussions and conversations we had during as well as after the workshop were very interesting, I learned that youth in other regions face many of the same challenges as we do in Norway with the low profitability, lack of free time and challenges with recruitment and finding substitute workforce when needed. In addition to the aforementioned challenges which I believe are essential to overcome for farming to become more attractive for the future generations, this workshop made me reflect a lot upon the importance of giving young farmers opportunities for development such through exchange programs. I brought this perspective with me into many conversations, and hopefully, it will lead to facilitation of such opportunities in the nearest future in my own and other regions.
Sigrun Myrvang, youth representative, Innlandet (NO)

Indeed sustainability has three pillars: economic, social, and environmental.

In an increasingly resource-scarce world, we want to lift and empower youths and young leaders, through our democratic institutions and build tolerance for each other’s needs. I think young people see this more clearly than previous generations
Aud Hove, Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy

The AER Summer Academy: a forum for exchanges

The AER Summer Academy is a forum for exchanges of experience when it comes to regional development and expertise in Europe.

Objectives:

Promoting regional democracy and the principle of subsidiarity.
Providing an opportunity for regional representatives to build networks with their counterparts across wider Europe.
Fostering interregional cooperation.
Promoting European integration, identity and sense of belonging among young people.
Facilitating exchanges of experience and good practices between regions, policy-makers and young people.
Supporting mutual learning.

The European Year of youth: an opportunity to reframe policies

The 2022 edition of the AER Summer Academy was a very special edition. Indeed, this was the first in-person edition since the COVID-19 pandemic. As has been shown since, the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on youth. The event taking place during the European Year of Youth, was an opportunity to reframe policies and policymaking. This was the opportunity to make mobility and exchanges with peers across Europe possible again. To listen to young voices, and learn to listen better too.

Skills & the bioeconomy

The bioeconomy covers all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources. It spans over sectors as diverse as food, construction, energy and waste management. In the context of societal challenges such as climate change, food security, energy independence and environmental sustainability, the bioeconomy is deemed to generate solutions for a better use of resources, life-cycle management and the development of new materials.

Because the industries in the bioeconomy, the value chains, the collaborations between stakeholders are new, there are major challenges in terms of skills: both to develop the right skills and to attract & retain skills in the industry.

The workshop looked specifically at food and food production for the future, with sustainability and security as the tagline. A key focus was on young voices in relation to food production and education, innovation and recruitment.

Speakers:

Aud Hove, Deputy Mayor of Innlandet (NO), Chair of AER working group on the bioeconomy
Gjertrud Nordal, youth representative, Innlandet (NO)
Sigrun Myrvang, youth representative, Innlandet (NO)
Presentation from Innlandet available here
Vivian Stribos, EU Lobbyist for Gelderland (NL)
Freek Beijer, youth delegate, Gelderland (NL)
Presentation from Gelderland is available here
Mairead nic Iomaire, Cill Ulta Centre for Sustainability, Donegal (IE)
Presentation from Udarás Na Gaeltachta is available here

Upcoming activities of the working group

The Working Group will organise an experience-sharing workshop on the sides of the AER Bureau meeting in December. The exact date of the workshop will be communicated ASAP

Regions interested in the topic, could be specifically interested in the following event which take place in the context of the European Week of Regions:

Food 2030: Regions as agents of change for sustainable food systems and biobased solutions
Region Värmland invited the CEO of Paper Province, a cluster organization, to present their experience in the transition to biobased solutions. The session will provide feedback on the Food 2030 policy and emphasise the role of regions in the green transition through a bioeconomic lens. The participatory lab will focus on food and sustainable food production. It will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on food systems and bio-based solutions directly to representatives from the European Commission.

If you would like to be informed about the activities of the Working Group on the Bioeconomy, please fill in this questionnaire (3 questions + contact details), it is possible to join anytime!

Photo taken in Donegal by Ainars Djatlevskis on Unsplash

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Interview with Aud Hove, Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy

22 August, 2022 By Johanna Pacevicius

How exchanging experiences with other regions leverages knowledge and the ability to create impact: the Chair of the newly created working group on the bioeconomy & skills, Aud Hove, Innlandet (NO), shares about her motivation for setting up a working group within the AER network.

Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Aud Hove, I serve as the deputy county mayor in Innlandet county, Norway. I come from a small mountainous village and municipality, named Skjåk, but due to my occupation, I currently live in Lillehammer. I have always been interested in bio-based business and nature management.

In Norway we have a saying “from the earth to the table” not different from EU new initiative Farm to Fork, emphasizing that value chains must play together and do no significant harm to others or the environment.

Our region, Innlandet needs our farmers and we need the industry so that people get what they need for a living. At the same time, I also believe that we must change some of our habits and consumption. Norway, Europe, and the western world consume far more than we produce and it is not sustainable in the long run.

What motivated you in launching the working group on the bioeconomy & skills?

The bioeconomy is both the past and the future. We have always harvested from the wood and fields, but oil, gas and coal have taken up too much space in the last decade.

I’m convinced that collaboration, experience sharing, knowledge, and research and education it is the key to success.
Aud Hove, Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy

The value chain in biomass and green carbon can be used more sustainably, wisely while we at the same time look for new products fit for green Innlandet and Europe.

I’m convinced that collaboration, experience sharing, knowledge, and research and education it is the key to success. Bioeconomy, and circular economy is not only necessary for a green transition, but also our green gold, our future livelihood.

What do you want to achieve with this working group?

Innlandet and Norway cannot solve global environmental challenges alone.

As emphasised in the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, international collaboration and solutions are needed. Sharing good examples and tackling common challenges across national borders is a part of Innlandet’s strategy.

We want to create a common understanding of different opportunities and challenges, by learning from others and sharing our best practices. Developing and improving the bioeconomy is part of the solution for climate and environment, and I think Innlandet has expertise and know-how which we can share with the rest of Europe.

What will the working group do in the coming months?

Our ambition is to create a community amongst European regions to share challenges, opportunities and maybe future partnerships and projects.

First we will facilitate a workshop on the occasion of the AER Summer Academy in Ireland with young people, where we will challenge the current situation and ask how the bioeconomy can become our green gold in a sustainable future. Indeed sustainability has three pillars: economic, social, and environmental. All three pillars must be weighted equally to get a fair distribution and a future in harmony. In an increasingly resource-scarce world, we want to lift and empower youths and young leaders, through our democratic institutions and build tolerance for each other’s needs. I think young people see this more clearly than previous generations.

Second, we are planning a meeting of the working group on the side of the AER General Assembly, during the European Week of Cities and regions, the second week of October 2022. This meeting will be focused on experience exchange.

In Spring 2023, we want to organise an online activity around project development.

Another activity we will carry out is the mapping of the specificities of each region and their good practices as a basis for matchmaking, study visits, potential projects

If this collaboration with other regions was a film, what would be the title?

“Together we can build a better and greener future”

Or: “Leapfrogging green bio-based transitions – A tale of European Regions”

Thank you Aud Hove for the interview!

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Summer Academy Bureau Debate – Recovering together: youth policy in Europe

8 July, 2022 By Peter Guidikov

AER-SA-Debate-Youth-post

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

According to the OECD, the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll on the education, employment, mental health and disposable income of youth all across Europe, most notably due to public health restrictions. As this report from the European Parliament show, lower and unequal access to education and training, higher unemployment and a reversal of many positive social and economic trends for young people in Europe and beyond.

These new difficulties must be addressed to ensure a brighter future for all. One, in particular, stands out: the rise of mental health afflictions like depression and anxiety among the youth. For instance, almost two-thirds of people (64%) in the age group 18–34 years were at risk of depression in spring 2021. The pandemic brought to light the sheer number of people who are in need of support and how much work there is to do in that regard.

Discussing youth policy in Europe

With every challenge comes an equally important opportunity. Local and regional authorities have a critical role to play in supporting post-pandemic recovery, especially in regard to youth policy and programmes. The key to a more equitable and lasting recovery lies in finding new ways to support youth in their projects, harness their energy and passion and foster cross-generational and intercultural integration and cohesion.

This is why the AER is organising a Bureau debate on youth policy in Europe as part of our flagship youth event, the AER Summer academy.

This debate will bring together representatives of local and regional authorities, European Institutions and other relevant stakeholders to answer the following questions:

What should the focus of youth policy be in our post-pandemic European societies?
How can youth contribute to building more resilient and strengthened European regions?
What can public actors do to avoid facing a “lockdown generation” and maximise the well-being of European youth?

The debate will take place on 31 August 2022 in County Donegal (IE).

This interactive debate will bring together regional and European policymakers and experts. It includes an extended thirty-minute Q & A where participants will have the opportunity to share their views and insights with our panellists. Don’t miss the chance to help shape AER’s work on youth policy in Europe!

The speakers have been announced!

Invited speakers to the panel debate will include:

Maria Koleva, Deputy Head of Cabinet; Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth – European Commission
Sabine Verheyen, chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) – European Parliament
Anne Karjalainen, Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) and Chair of Kerava City Council – European Committee of the Regions
Frederic Piccavet, Vice-president – European Youth Forum
Clementina Barbaro, Head of Youth Policies Division – Council of Europe

Photo source: Getty Images

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How To Foster An Intercultural Approach To Education & Training- Highlights From Includ-EU Webinar

4 July, 2022 By Anna Comacchio

On 24 May 2022, AER organised, within the framework of the Includ-EU project and in cooperation with IOM (International Organisation for Migration), the 5th and last webinar on the series that looked into the 4 areas tackled by the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027), namely Education and Training, Employment, Access to Health, and adequate and affordable housing.

It is by no chance that Education and Training are on top of the list, as they are considered as a pre-condition and the key enabler of social inclusion and empowerment encompassing all other areas of Inclusion (together with housing, the most tangible and thus need and also very high on the European agenda).

That is why a firm commitment of IOM, as underlined by Emanuela di Paola (Integration and Technical Cooperation Unit, IOM, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean) in the opening, is to engage the youth to become driver of social inclusion through education (formal, non-formal and informal).

Students who are well integrated into the education system, have more chances to be active and reach their full potential. Not only, “when young people given responsibility, are empowered and encouraged to take ownership, they can also be catalysts of innovation and creativity”, continues Emanuela.

But learning cannot stop with the end of the traditional education path and the inclusion in an insatiable rapid-changing labour market. In particular, lifelong learning opportunities and the possibility to upskill and reskill are key to creating the right environment for migrants (young and adults) to arrive in a host country and be able to take up new job opportunities, which reflect the needs of the national/local specificities.

And in this regard what can be done at the local and regional levels is really make this integration happen, with a series of approaches and initiatives which capitalises on local strengths/ specificities and existing initiatives, as reported by Bruno Mesquita Valle, (Chief of Unit, Capacity Development and Field Support, UNESCO) when presenting the UNESCO mapping of host countries’ education responses to the influx of Ukrainian students, a living exercise to help circulating information and practices.

Still, it is important to identify challenges that are common all over Europe, and draw and recommendations that can benefit different contexts.

Specifically, Eleonora Milazzo (PhD, researcher and migration policy consultant, Kings College London) presented during the webinar the thematic briefing on Access to Education, addressing the key question on how to make education more accessible and inclusive for all.

Here are the key recommendations:

Expand further Intercultural capacity building and teachers training so that all staff receives specific training on how to engage students from culturally diverse backgrounds (ex. School for All, Greece); but also, as highlighted by Ourania Xylouri, Director, Athens Lifelong Learning Institute, Greece Schools for inclusion: integrated way across the curriculum (methology, guidelines and toolbox): How to turn an ordinary school into an intercultural school.
Improve Language training in the host countries to make it available from an early stage and capitalising on the existing language skills ( ex. Online tool MyRO, Romania);
Build reciprocal trust to avoid that TNC are stigmatized and isolated from the rest of the learning community through Peer2Peer support and mentoring initiatives (ex. Mentorship, Italy);
Develop Intercultural Skills of students and families, making sure TNCs can acquire education system and administrative services;
Address specific needs for disadvantaged groups to improve greater representation.

A great example comes from Jesenice, Slovenia Adult Education Centre managed by Maja Radinovič Hajdič

Lack of digital skills is one of the greatest barriers for migrants to join different activities and learning and job opportunities, so the centre creates a targeted and tailored capacity-building programme to enable the participants to enhance their Slovene language and digital skills, gain better understanding of online public services in the local environment and strengthen their social network.

Maya states that to achieve this counselling is very important and that no person is entering the programme without counselling. After the pre-assessment of skills, and the definition of the programme, individual Counselling and other support is offered also throughout the whole programme.

[Watch the video dedicated to The Adult Education Centre Jesenice’s pilot project and Murisa’s experience!]

The importance of individual counselling blends well with the final takeaway that comes from Maria Podlasek-Ziegler (Policy Specialist at European Commission: Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy).

One key learning from the thousands of Erasmus projects, she highlights, is that is more and more important to focus on the individual, and tailor-needs of learners and not exclusively on specific target groups. [Read the full study report Data collection and analysis of Erasmus + projects. Focus on inclusion in education here].

There are different personalities and different needs to be addressed with tailored-based interventions, stresses also Irene Psfidou (Senior Expert, CEDEFOP).

Background, gender, student well-being as well as aspiration, skills, and personal attitude of individual learners are crucial to take into account to fulfil one’s potential. That’s why policies should work to create equal conditions for all.

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AER working groups: it’s simple

4 July, 2022 By Johanna Pacevicius

The long-awaited guide for members willing to set up a new working group is finally there!

Working groups are for all AER members

All AER members can participate in working groups. Any AER member can submit a proposal for setting up a working group on a new topic.

It is possible to contribute to the work by:

Sharing needs and topics your region would be interested to work on
Offering expertise, flagging good practices you would like to share with AER members, proposing speakers
Participating in events organised by the Chairs of the Working Groups
Representing AER at thematic events: all AER members can be AER ambassadors!

To do this, contact AER Coordinator for Policy & Knowledge Transfer Johanna Pacevicius with ideas, proposals, requests.

How to propose a new Working Group

1. Identifying partner regions

Any AER member can submit a proposal for setting up a Working Group. A region, which would like to set up a working group should test the idea with other members and find supporting regions, in order to ensure there is a core group of regions that will be interested in dedicating time to exchange on the topic, and to be able to define activities that will be relevant to more than one region

Any AER member wishing to set up a Working Group should therefore find at least three supporting regions, which will contribute to shaping the activities, participate and contribute to the work. Either the AER member is already in contact with regions that could join the new Working Group, or they request the help of the AER Secretariat to contact regions that may be interested.

2. Submitting a proposal to the Executive Board

The region, which would like to set up a working group should develop a draft proposal for the focus of the Working Group and list a few potential activities to be presented to the EB together with supporting regions. The Draft Proposal for setting up the new Working Group, should:

mention the topic of the Working Group
clarify the focus of the exchange and dissemination of best practices
indicate the lead region and the supporting regions
propose a few activities which they would like to implement within the first two-years mandate
define an objective for the work of the Working Group (what will the activities help to achieve?)

3. The EB establishes the creation of the new Working Group

Once the proposal for setting up a new Working Group has been approved by the EB, an article is published about the new Working Group including information on:

the proposed focus
objective
lead region and supporting regions
envisioned activities

Regions interested to join the new Working Group and shape activities are invited to provide inputs by email.

4. Appointing a Chair

A first meeting of the working group will be organised in person or online, to appoint a Chair and agree on joint activities. The meeting will be announced beforehand on the AER website. The meeting will be open to all AER members. During this first meeting, Working Group members will agree on implementation details and responsibilities. Each Working Group decides on its own working structure

Role of the Chair of a Working Group

The Chair is responsible for the leadership of the Working Group and liaising with the Vice-President in charge of the Working Group policy area.

Each Working Group Chair’s region is charged to appoint a seconded officer to act as working group secretariat in liaison with the AER secretariat. The seconded officer is responsible for:

Co-organising events and projects in collaboration with the secretariat;
Managing the content of the meetings;
Drafting speeches and policy contributions;
The Chair will take the responsibility for the planning of the Working Group’s activities;

The Chair of the Working Group will inform the Vice-President in charge of the related policy area about the activities organised by the Working Group.
The Vice-President in charge of the related policy area will inform the Chair of the Working Group about upcoming events or EU policy developments, which may be of interest to the Chair and where the findings of the Working Group could be shared
When the Vice-President in charge of the related policy area is invited to external events, they will mention the activities of the working group

Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash

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The AER Summer Academy Is Back!

20 June, 2022 By Justin Sammon

With the European Year of Youth in full-swing, the AER is delighted to announce that our flagship youth event, the AER Summer Academy is returning in 2022 after a two-year hiatus.

In partnership with Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta, this year’s Summer Academy will take place from 29 August until 1 September in the stunning surroundings of County Donegal, in Ireland’s Atlantic North-West.

****NOTE: Members of the Summer Academy Organising Committee should contact Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon directly before booking tickets on Eventbrite.* All other members and partners can register below.

Why Ireland?

2022 marks fifty years since Irish citizens voted by referendum to join the European Community, precursor the European Union in 1972. 2022 also celebrates the Irish language acquiring equal status to the other 23 languages in our Union for the first time. We are therefore enormously privileged to bring this year’s iteration to Ireland and the Donegal Gaeltacht [Irish-speaking region] during a year of important milestones for the country’s relationship with Europe. The main hosting venue will be the Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Campus in Letterkenny, County Donegal.

What’s it all about? Empowering Youth as Changemakers!

The Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine have fundamentally changed expectations about Europe’s future. 2022 has become a time of big, existential questions about what Europe stands for, and what future we shape for the the next generation. Right now, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine Europe from a democratic, economic, cultural and social perspective.

The theme this year focuses on how young people in our regions can be empowered to answer these questions, and shape “A Europe for the Next Generation”. As we look to build back better, this year’s programme will focus on key key topics such as climate change, skills and education, cross-border and transnational cohesion and reconciliation, remote working and entrepreneurship.

As Europe works to build back better, regions are best-placed to ensure young people lay the building blocks for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all. Do not miss this opportunity to join regional leaders from all over Europe for a series of debates, workshops and excursions to enlighten and inspire.

Last but not least, the 2022 Summer Academy programme is offering participants an exciting opportunity to visit Derry/Londonderry City to learn about the Peace Process, take-in spectacular scenery on Inis Eoin island and Glenveagh National Park, visit the region’s unique rural innovation hubs, and sample Irish music and dance as part of our social programme—this is a programme not to be missed!

Draft Programme (to be updated):

For more information, please contact AER Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon by email.

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Making TVET more attractive for Women!

12 April, 2022 By Birgit Sandu

Technical vocational education and training provide concrete opportunities for inclusion by developing innovative curricula matching rapidly changing societal needs and fostering life-long learning opportunities. Yet, the sector has been for long time predominately male centred making the need to counter the gender-bias and gender-stereotypes in the sector a foremost priority for a renewed TVET system as urged by the European Parliament in the resolution of 17 December 2020 and promoted by the SKILLNET Alliance.

This is why the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with its member regions and leading experts of the TVET sector organised a mutual-learning session aimed at sharing good practices for improving the attractiveness of technical vocational education and training for women. The event was part of a webinar series that AER organised in the framework of the Erasmus+ SKILLNET project.

Combating gender stereotypes

The session started with key insights from Alexia Fafara, Junior Policy and Campaigns Officer at the European Women’s Lobby, sharing concrete actions that the TVET system shall undertake in order to combat gender stereotypes and foster gender-inclusive TVET programmes. Among this:

Removing sexist content from textbooks
Setting up complaint mechanisms
Providing training on unconscious biases & equality issues

Additionally, existing tools and good practices were shared to inspire other practitioners and TVET providers in the development of similar programmes.

EU co-founded actions – The Gender+ project

Michael Miller, Project Officer at the The Opportunity Centre, presented the European project Gender+ founded by the Erasmus+ programme and implemented in partnership with six organisations from six European countries.

As part of the project, experts developed governance and benchmarking tools to improve gender inclusivity in vocational education and training:

Gender positive character: setting the minimum requirements for organisations in order to consider their provisions gender positive.
Gender footprint benchmarking tool: for VET practitioners to assess their current services and then track improvement. This is achieved through incentivised guidance and support which highlights how VET organisations can evidence and improve provisions to meet the Charter’s minimum requirements.
Gender champion skill profile for the development of a ‘Gender Champion’ role. Through this, the project demonstrates the value for VET organisations in dedicating permanent time and resource to gender issues.

Regional good practice from the Hampshire (GB) – Women in Construction

The final presentation of the event shield light on how regions can create life-changing opportunities for women through TVET programmes. Carolyn Jay Project Manager in the Skills, Partnerships and Strategy Team of the Hampshire County Council, presented the story of Natalie, who, thanks to the CSCS local re-training programme accomplished her professional aspiration starting her career in the construction sector.

As to the final remarks, experts highlighted the need to provide real incentives to ensure that more inclusive policies and TVET programmes are properly implemented. You can rewatch the full webinar on YouTube.

Available EU Funding Opportunities and Initiatives

Become an AER member;
Are you willing to join a Interreg Europe project proposal lead by Umbria to improve the communication with SMEs to support their access to funding opportunities? Discover our partner search!
Apply for the DG REGIO Call for Expression of Interest on ‘Innovative Implementation of the Partnership Principle in Cohesion Policy’ 30th April 2022;
Join the Interreg Europe ‘Project Development Webinars‘ from 25th to 28th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Living Lab for gender-responsive innovation‘ by 20th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Gender and social, economic and cultural empowerment’ by 20th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Support the implementation of inclusive gender plans‘ by 20th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Conditions for the successful development of skills matched to needs‘ by 20th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘The impact of inequalities on democracy‘ by 20th April 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Towards more inclusive networks and initiatives in European innovation ecosystems‘ by 26th April 2022;
Apply for the Creative Europe Call for Grants ‘Fostering European Media Talents and Skills‘ by 4th May 2022;
Apply for the Creative Europe Call for Grants ‘European Cooperation projects Large Scale‘ by 5th May 2022;
Apply for the Creative Europe Call for Grants ‘European Cooperation projects Small Scale‘ by 5th May 2022;
Apply for the Creative Europe Call for Grants ‘European Cooperation projects Medium Scale‘ by 5th May 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Expanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystems‘ by 10th May 2022;
Apply for the Digital Europe Call for Grants ‘Promoting European innovation in education‘ by 17th May 2022;
Apply for the Digital Europe Call for Grants ‘Short-term training courses in key capacity areas’ by 17th May 2022;
Apply for the first Interreg Europe Calls by 31st May 2022;
Apply for the Horizon Europe EU Prize for Women Innovators by 18th August 2022;
Apply for the Erasmus+ Call for Grants ‘Alliances for Education and Enterprises‘ by 15th September 2022;
Apply for the Erasmus+ Call for Grants ‘Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (Implementing the ‘Blueprint’)‘ by 15th September 2022;
[Tender] Apply for the European Training Foundation Call for Tender ‘Skill Lab Network of Experts‘ by 4th May 2022 (Place of delivery: Torino);
[Tender] Apply for the DG NEAR Call for Tender ‘Supply of Equipment for improving the Quality of Vocational Education and Training Trough Establishment of Sectoral Centres of Excellence Operations‘ by 7th June 2022 (Place of delivery: Turkey);
[Tender] Apply for the DG EAC Call for Tender ‘Framework Service Contract to Provide Expertise and Support in Areas of Competence of DG EAC and Including Education, Training, Youth, Sport, Culture, Research and Innovation‘ by 1st June 2022 (Place of delivery: Brussels);
[Forthcoming] Horizon Europe Call for Grants ‘Implementing co-founded action plans for interconnection of innovation ecosystems‘ opens on 14th June 2022.

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The Includ-EU Project Launches Its Own Newsletter!

18 February, 2022 By Anna Comacchio

Stay up-to-date with innovative practices on migrants inclusion in Europe, from access to housing, health care and education, by subscribing to the Includ-EU quarterly bulletin!

We are glad to share with you the first issue of the Includ-EU newsletter, a project of which we are partners and promoters.

Includ-EU aims to contribute to building more inclusive and cohesive European societies by enhancing transnational knowledge and experience sharing, cooperation and partnerships between local and regional authorities from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

Funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union, it is structured around key thematic areas consistent with the EU Action plan on integration and inclusion: labour inclusion, health care, education, active citizenship and housing.

The project website, designed as a platform where local expertise on inclusion can match migrants needs for information on local services and opportunities, presents overviews of the national and specific regional context related to the mentioned thematic area in each country involved, inspiring good practices and integration successful stories, news, events and information materials, along with a space where users can share their project and/or story.

Includ-EU is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Stay updated with our activities: subscribe to our quarterly newsletter!

For more info: [email protected]

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Partnership in Focus n.18: CAPACITY BUILDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION II – A European Strategy for Universities

10 December, 2021 By Mirthe Vogd

The higher education sector is key for finding solutions towards a sustainable and more digital Europe, as well as for equipping students (and professors) with the competences that our fast-changing society and economy need. In May 2021 the Council of the EU adopted conclusions on the European Universities initiative with “the aim of bridging higher education, research, innovation and society: paving the way for a new dimension in European higher education.” European Universities transnational alliances will become the universities of the future, promoting European values and identity, and revolutionising the quality and competitiveness of European higher education, in an optic of international cooperation, peer-learning and exchange of best practices between European higher education institutions and those from non-EU priority regions and countries.

The Skillman International Forum 2021 took place from 15-18 November 2021 and aimed to redefine the future of learning in the advanced manufacturing sector. On 17 November the AER held an online mutual-learning webinar on ‘CAPACITY BUILDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION II – A European Strategy for Universities.’ This year the forum addressed three main topics: Digital and green revolution, Micro-credentials and Sharing is caring.

The question posed in relation to this webinar was: How can the EU further support the higher education sector to contribute to the twin digital and green transitions?

Defining Capacity Building for Higher Education

Johanna Pacevicius, AER Coordinator for Policy and Knowledge Sharing, and moderator of the webinar, together with Anna Comacchio, AER Project and Policy Officer, introduced the topic of capacity building in higher education together with the speakers that were present.

The webinar looked at digital capacity building opportunities, ensuring it is reinforced and made more resilient, especially considering the impact COVID-19 had on learning. Next to the digital aspect, green and sustainable capacity building solutions for higher education were also discussed, to explore how the EU can further support the higher education sector to contribute to the twin digital and green transitions.

The idea of Capacity Building in Higher Education (HE) was to be in continuity with the Erasmus 2014-2020 calls (KA 1, 2, 3) where capacity-building projects in the higher education field are aimed at supporting modernization, accessibility, and internationalization in HE structures in Europe. But with the new programme 2021-2027, the topic has been removed. Therefore, from this year on, universities find a more general place for capacity building in COVEs, the Alliances and the European University Initiative.

On 25 November 2021, the Commission launched the calls for proposals under the Erasmus+ call for 2022, following the adoption of the 2022 annual work programme. With an increased budget of nearly €3.9 billion for the next year, Erasmus+ will continue to provide opportunities for study periods abroad, traineeships, apprenticeships, and staff exchanges and cross border cooperation projects in different areas of education and training, youth and sport. In addition to the general call, the annual work programme also includes other actions to be launched separately, such as indeed the European Universities initiative.

The webinar counted on three professional speakers in the field of higher education. The discussion was opened by a presentation by our first speaker; Armando Pires, president of EURASHE. EURASHE represents universities of applied sciences and university colleges and aims to strengthen the impact of innovative high quality professional higher education and related user-oriented research in Europe. They do this by representing professional higher education institutions and facilitating their multi-stakeholder cooperation and dialogue. Mr Pires underlined that in a changing world, it is vital “to connect research and innovation” in HE, and stressed the need to “address local needs through regional engagement”. In the field of capacity building, the role of HE is to support the development of a European approach to micro-credentials. Building capacity in HE goes indeed hand-in-hand with building capacity in Innovation and Research, explains Mr Pires. The HE sector has been proving its capacity to adapt to the new reality brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We witnessed the role played by digital tools in ensuring learning development, not only in HE. “Considering the impact of Covid on economy and society, we must join forces and connect institutions, and research at the local, regional level. “

The discussion was continued by Anouk Tso, from the University of Amsterdam, and project officer for EPICUR, Work Package Leader: Multilingualism & Inclusive Governance, and Dr. Thrasyvoulos Tsiatsos, Assoc. Prof Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, EPICUR, WP4 Leader.

EPICUR, the European University Alliance, belongs to the first generation of European Alliances to pilot a new way of intensifying collaboration among Higher Education institutions through the creation of a European University. Their presentation addressed the “Flipped Mobility Concept and its support by the digital EPICUR Inter-University Campus”,

Ms Tso began by explaining the four reasons behind the implementation of the flipped mobility programme by EPICUR, to enrich the learning experience for students, for teaching staff to make teaching exciting and European, for researchers to share knowledge and give them bridging opportunities, and to boost viability to refresh study programmes. Mr Tsiatsos continued by explaining the flipped mobility concept and with it its difference from traditional mobility, in the sense that it brings the resources to the students and the staff instead of the other way around, which gives the users greater accessibility. The flipped mobility scheme introduced by EPICUR is completely paperless, and thus contributes to the green transition, as well as, of course, the digital transformation. Above all, EPICUR encourages students, teachers, researchers and staff to cross borders, geographically, culturally and academically.

Open and Future EU funding opportunities and initiatives

NEW CulturEU funding guide: an interactive online tool for EU Funding Opportunities for the Cultural and Creative Sectors
Join the ‘Social Economy Action Plan Launch Event‘ on 16th December 2021
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Alliances for Education and Enterprises’ by 15 September 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Partnership for Excellence – Erasmus+ Teacher Academies’ by 7 September 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Capacity Building in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET)’ by 31 March 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Strand 1 – Fostering access to cooperation in higher education’ by 17 February 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Strand 2 – Partnerships for transformation in higher education’ by 17 February 2022
[Forthcoming]: Apply for the Horizon Europe open call for grants ‘Acceleration Services in support of the institutional transformation of Higher Education Institutions’ by 20 April 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘European Universities – Intensification of prior deep institutional transnational cooperation (Topic 1)’ by 22 March 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘European Universities – Development of new deep institutional transnational cooperation (Topic 2)’ by 22 March 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Cooperation Partnerships in the field of Education & Training – submitted by ENGOs’ by 23 March 2022

Skillman.eu is a worldwide community of practitioners, researchers, and institutions engaged in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). It’s a network that aims at creating work-based learning solutions to respond to the challenges of skills shortages in industry with a participatory model and a peer learning approach. The network develops tools consistent with industry needs and relevant to the latest education challenges introduced also by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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Partnership in focus n.17: EDUPRENEURSHIP – Fostering Entrepreneurship in Education and Training

7 December, 2021 By Mirthe Vogd

The global pandemic has left many freelancers and entrepreneurs without income for months, which imposes an incoming challenge to stimulating entrepreneurship. If we want Europe to continue to nurture talent, create great startups, and compete on a global scale, we need to teach entrepreneurship. This will require joint efforts from the public and private sectors, as well as regional, national governments and European Institutions. This webinar gave us a glimpse of different actions needed at different levels to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial mindset and discussed local challenges for their implementation and replicability.

The AER launched this dedicated webinar within the 2021 edition of the Skillman International Forum which took place from 15-18 November 2021. The forum aimed to redefine the future of learning, and this year it addressed three main topics: Digital and green revolution, Micro-credentials and Sharing is caring. The event was part of our series of webinars on EU funding opportunities organised as part of the Erasmus+ project, Skillnet. These webinars bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) and aim to build partnerships for future EU project proposals.

Teaching Entrepreneurship in all fields of study

Teaching Entrepreneurship is necessary not only if Europe is going to continue to nurture talents, create innovative startups companies and compete on a global scale, but also because many skills involved in entrepreneurship translate well to other aspects of life and give students real-world skills. In this webinar, we have had a glimpse of different actions needed at different levels to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial mindset and discussed local challenges for their implementation and replicability.

The webinar counted upon an international panel of experts in the field, from academia to regional and civil society representatives.

Kristina Detelj, from the Zagreb University, Faculty of Organisation and Informatics Varazdin, opened the discussion providing insights on the project “WeRin: Women Entrepreneurs in Regional Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems” and specifically stressed the importance of the participation and involvement of women in the area of entrepreneurship and enhancing their level of embeddedness in regional entrepreneurial ecosystems across Europe. The example of their influence in Croatia was shared and the speaker commented on the difficulties that most women face, especially in Croatia, to access the ability to create a startup due to the high bureaucracy level. This goes hand in hand with the importance of the introduction of entrepreneurship in the curriculum in primary and secondary schools and not only on university level.

Following her, we had another academic, namely Richard Tunstall, Associate Professor of Enterprise, Entrepreneurship Education, Leeds University Business School, who informed us about the work on teaching enterprise programmes across different sectors at the Unversity of Leeds, thus being able to implement and mainstream the Entrepreneurship courses in faculties of arts, biology, design, etc. Knowledge, skills and attitudes were presented as three key targets within entrepreneurship education, as developing students’ skills and mindsets and attitudes towards problems are just as important as their knowledge about their information knowledge.

Next, Annabelle Favreau, who is an EU Project manager at Gestión Pública de Extremadura (GPEX) in Directorate-General Enterprise of the Extremadura Region, introduced the audience to the project of “The Entrecomp Framework in Extremadura.” She shared the experiences from regional entrepreneurship programmes in Extremadura. Within the framework of the learning competences of entrepreneurship, Annabelle stressed the importance of compromising with global challenges that are apparent as an external factor. EntreComp intends to break down the barriers between work, education and civic engagement by focusing on the development of competences through the actual creation of entrepreneurial value. In this light, the EntreComp is transversal to formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts and applies equally to education and training systems, from primary to vocational education and training, and to non-structured learning contexts.

Lastly, Minna Melleri, Director of Advocacy & Growth, JA Europe, elucidated on the benefits of recognition of skills and micro-credentials and presented the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass, an international certification qualifying young people that have had real entrepreneurship experience and thus have the right competences. She added that Iceland, all EU member states, but also other states outside of the EU share a lot of history and experience, and empower young people. Developing a broad set of skills for the young people is a key element in the work she proposes. Furthermore, Minna gives the example of JA Europe as having Entrepreneurship programmes on all levels of education. She mentioned that young people within the age range of 15-21 are eligible to take part in their one year programme.

The discussion was moderated by Manos Andreadis, Responsible for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme as National Contact Point in Greece, and Director at Asset Technology responsible for Business Development, International Cooperation and Entrepreneurship.

Current and future EU funding opportunities and initiatives

NEW CulturEU funding guide: an interactive online tool for EU Funding Opportunities for the Cultural and Creative Sectors
[Forthcoming] Apply for the Horizon Europe open call for grants ‘Expanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystems’ by 10 May 2022
[Forthcoming] Apply for the Horizon Europe open call for grants ‘Integration of social innovation actors in innovation ecosystems’ 26 April 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Capacity Building in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET)’ by 31 March 2022
[Forthcoming] Apply for the Horizon Europe open call for grants ‘Conditions for the successful development of skills matched to needs’ by 20 April 2022
[Forthcoming] Apply for the Horizon Europe open call for grants ‘Open schooling for science education and a learning continuum for all’ by 20 april 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Civil Society Cooperation: Education and Training’ by 15 December 2021
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Civil Society Cooperation in the field of Youth’ by 15 December 2021
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘Capacity building in the field of youth’ by 7 April 2022
Apply for the Erasmus+ open call for grants ‘European Youth Together’ by 22 March 2022

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UPDATED – Online Info Day on Erasmus+ Calls 2022: Civil Society Cooperation

11 November, 2021 By Mirthe Vogd

What is this Online Info Day about?

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is organising an information session on the application procedure of the Civil Society Cooperation (CSC) 2022 Calls for operating grants under the Erasmus+: Key Action 3.

The opportunities that will be presented are the CSC-EDU and CSC-Youth 2022 calls for proposals for EU operating grants in the fields of education, training and youth under the Erasmus+ Programme.

During this session, the calls and the policy context will be presented briefly and participants will have the opportunity to ask related questions and receive some clarifications directly from EACEA.

More information about the Erasmus+ CSC calls and the action are available here (Youth call) and here (Education & Training)

Practical Information

The online information session was held on 16 November 2021 from 14:00 to 17:30 (Brussels time).

You can watch a recording of the Info Day and find the PowerPoint presentations here.

More information is available on the EACEA’s website.

If you are planning to submit a project within these calls and wish to get in contact with other partners having the same purpose, please do not hesitate to contact AER Project Unit.

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Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

21 September, 2021 By Johanna Pacevicius

Civic participation is a process in which people take collective action to address issues of public concern and can adopt many forms: from individual volunteering, community engagement efforts and organisational involvement to governmental support. With regard to governments, effectively engaging with stakeholders translates into better services, source ideas and knowledge, co-creation solutions and seizing new opportunities.

In the context of its participation in the Skillnet project, AER organised a webinar on the ways in which societies can improve civic participation in a qualitative way, by involving young people from more diverse backgrounds

High-quality civic participation is inclusive by design

To achieve high-quality civic participation, it is crucial to make sure to involve all regional stakeholders. Research shows there is a large participation gap between college students and other young people.

This webinar was facilitated by Aurora Carrasco Minguez, VET programmes Manager at Acción contra el Hambre. The event focused on the factors that can improve the civic participation of people in technical and vocational education.

Civic competences and lifelong learning

To provide insights on how to bridge civic participation and various forms of education Andrei Frank, Policy Officer SOLIDAR Foundation, shared the results of the 2020 Solidar Monitor, a research report on the topic of policy developments in the field of attainment of skills, through lifelong learning, for active participation in society.

This report looked at green and digital citizenship in Europe and beyond. It examined in particular how multistakeholder partnerships are beneficial to develop policies linked to this type of competences. Indeed both green and digital competences imply lifelong and holistic elements. These competences need to be constantly updated.

In order to ensure more inclusive and wider civic participation, multistakeholder partnerships across ministries and across society are needed to ensure this constant updating of civic competences. Partnerships between formal and non-formal education are needed

Good learning environments for all for better participation

Simon Johnson, Chair of the AER Working Group on Education and Acting Mayor of Nordland County (NO) shared the experience of his region. He explained that offering the possibility to all to participate in society is part of the political guidelines underpinning Nordland’s policymaking and which are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Simon Johnson presented the way in which politcal goals are translated into strategy making processes and result in practices, which aim to provide all students, apprentices and trainees with a good learning environment. This entails measures aimed at promoting good health, wellbeing and learning and leads to building great life skills. Nordland is specifically targetting young people who are not enrolled in ordinary upper secondary education. One of the ways in which the region does this, is through the development of partnerships with businesses.

In order to foster civic participation skills such as critical thinking and ethical acting together with environmental awareness are embedded in the Norwegian Education Law. This means pupils have the possibility to participate in the classroom, at the level of the school as well as at local and national level. Other measures specifically target bullying.

This practice shows how building inclusive learning environments for all, with an approach that includes health and wellbeing, as well as providing structures for young people to participate in decision making -thus providing a space to build civic participation competences- contribute to foster more inclusive civic participation.

Building the TVET voice through the Peer Learning Clubs

In the context of the Skillnet project, TVET stakeholders are invited to share their views and experiences in the Peer Learning Clubs, in order to shape policy recommendations.

Maria Elena Romanini, Project Manager for the Skillnet project presented the Peer Learning Clubs. These four focus groups bring together experts from different backgrounds (TVET providers, companies, government representatives, and individuals) who engage regularly in the discussion of four TVET-related topics through online and on-site activities, with a bottom-up approach.

The four topics are:

PLC1 – Advanced Manufacturing Sector (sectoral dimension)
PLC2 – Advocacy & Policy Influencing (empowerment and social equity dimension)
PLC3 – Work-based learning and standards (QA and curricular dimension)
PLC4 – Train the trainers (operational dimension)

These Peer Learning Clubs are open to all interested stakeholders (see Skillnet website to join)

EU opportunities related to multistakeholder partnerships, civic participation and TVET

Get involved in the Conference on the Future of Europe!

Join the 2021 SKILLMAN INTERNATIONAL FORUM (15-18 November 2021)

The EU Youth Strategy: https://europa.eu/youth/strategy_en

The European Training calendar (ETC): Trainings within the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme, European Solidarity Corps and beyond: https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/

SALTO-Youth, Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities for Youth: https://www.salto-youth.net/about/

European Solidarity Corps: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity

Erasmus+ Programme Guide: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en

Erasmus+ Programme Guide, Youth Participation Activities: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/programme-guide/part-b/key-action-1/youth-participation-activities_en

[FORTHCOMING – January 2022] HORIZON EUROPE Call for Grants ‘The Future of Democracy and Civic Participation‘

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HOW TO MITIGATE THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE TRANSITION

HOW DOES YOUTH GET INVOLVED?

THE STAKES.

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.

The many opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.

Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINE COHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions!

Youth unemployment is a longstanding challenge for Europe

The EU response to youth unemployment

The youth action for a green and fair future

Youth for a Just Transition

See you next week at #HotlineCohesion!

Read more about #HotlineCohesion and #YOUTHopia:

The ITER Mobility Project

What we are looking for…

What we offer…

If your region/organisation is interested in joining the ITER mobility project or discussing further cooperation options, please contact Anna Comacchio (AER Project and Policy Manager):

Youth at the heart of the shift to green gold

The AER Summer Academy: a forum for exchanges

The European Year of youth: an opportunity to reframe policies

Skills & the bioeconomy

Upcoming activities of the working group

Can you please introduce yourself?

What motivated you in launching the working group on the bioeconomy & skills?

What do you want to achieve with this working group?

What will the working group do in the coming months?

If this collaboration with other regions was a film, what would be the title?

Thank you Aud Hove for the interview!

Discussing youth policy in Europe

The speakers have been announced!

Working groups are for all AER members

How to propose a new Working Group

1. Identifying partner regions

2. Submitting a proposal to the Executive Board

3. The EB establishes the creation of the new Working Group

4. Appointing a Chair

Role of the Chair of a Working Group

***NOTE: Members of the Summer Academy Organising Committee should contact Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon directly before booking tickets on Eventbrite. All other members and partners can register below.

Why Ireland?

What’s it all about? Empowering Youth as Changemakers!

Draft Programme (to be updated):

EU co-founded actions – The Gender+ project

Regional good practice from the Hampshire (GB) – Women in Construction

Available EU Funding Opportunities and Initiatives

Defining Capacity Building for Higher Education

Open and Future EU funding opportunities and initiatives

Teaching Entrepreneurship in all fields of study

Current and future EU funding opportunities and initiatives

What is this Online Info Day about?

Practical Information

High-quality civic participation is inclusive by design

Civic competences and lifelong learning

Good learning environments for all for better participation

Building the TVET voice through the Peer Learning Clubs

EU opportunities related to multistakeholder partnerships, civic participation and TVET

Library

Join AER!

Website map

****NOTE: Members of the Summer Academy Organising Committee should contact Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon directly before booking tickets on Eventbrite.* All other members and partners can register below.