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Eurodyssey’s website launch – Behind the scenes

8 December, 2021 By Bianca Basílio Silva

The new Eurodyssey’s website launch marks an important milestone in our programme’s journey. It has been a result of three years of close collaboration between our member regions and the AER Secretariat, from meetings to seminars and trainings.

Featuring stunning new looks and a better user experience, its new functionalities will significantly improve the day-to-day management of the programme. 

eurodyssey.aer.eu

Three years in the making

This collaborative process kicked off in February 2019, at the 2-day Website and Communications Training hosted by Catalonia’s Employment Agency, where AER Programmes Coordinator, Andrés Muñoz Rojo, together with WordPress Developer Audric Delcour run a full demonstration and set out the main features of the new website.

Following such training, the AER Secretariat opened in Autumn 2020 a testing site for the regional users to get acquainted with the new functionalities and share their feedback for further website development. This testing period allowed the regional correspondents to make suggestions on the user experience and to keep track of the evolution of the website as they discovered the main features of the new website.

Ready, set, go!

This year, on 1 September the Eurodyssey website hosted by AMEOS webmaster was brought down to migrate all the data and files into a new WordPress portal with the technical assistance of web consultant Audric Delcour and the Eurodyssey’s regions.

Given the huge volume of data migrated, it was not until 16 September that the new website was officially launched. During this hiatus, the Eurodyssey regions increased cooperation to manually process the applications of the young candidates.

Our 🆕 website is NOW LIVE!! 🥳🥳

Bookmark the new domain on your browser: https://t.co/8cUFalWz6I📝

If you are already a registered user, please read these instructions to reset your account: https://t.co/AavB8onPvI

Welcome to Eurodyssey's 🆕 virtual home and… APPLY! 🔛 pic.twitter.com/OfIGIHQIN9

— Eurodyssey (@eurodyssey) September 16, 2021

This morning the #Eurodyssey regions met online to have a first introduction to the website and discover the 🆕 functions and how the programme has been translated into computer language 🖥️🖱️ for more efficient management! 🚀

Visit us at 👉 https://t.co/yPRD0KtQGM 🌐 pic.twitter.com/dCy5kTWVVO

— Eurodyssey (@eurodyssey) September 30, 2021

The size of the Eurodyssey website project can be revealed by the following figures from the data migration process:

  • 40,000 attachments saved
  • 170 regional admin users
  • 40,400 young person users
  • 3,600 company users

To facilitate the transition to the new portal, the AER Secretariat published a comprehensive manual for users and organised webinars on 30 September and 22 October to run a full demonstration and answer questions from regions. Furthermore, at the 2021 Eurodssey Forum on 3 December, the AER team shared ideas for regions on how to create an attractive regional profile on the new Eurodyssey website, and how to make the best of its new features.

Nonetheless, the website remains under construction since there is still a lot of pages edition, contents translation, files and media uploads to be completed. Apart from reducing the site maintenance costs, the new portal is expected to revamp the programme and attract more users and potential new regions.

Follow Eurodyssey on Instagram and Twitter!

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Internship Vacancy: Project & Communications Assistant

18 March, 2021 By Stanislava Milankov

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe?

We are looking for a motivated intern (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. The placement would be for 6 months, starting as soon as possible.

Your main tasks will be:

  • Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings at the European level).
  • Supporting the AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members.
  • Contributing to the implementation of all activities related to ongoing projects, including financial elements.
  • Providing input and assistance in drafting documents for new project proposals.
  • Writing articles on funding, partner searches as well as on running projects and related activities.
  • Disseminating information about EU-wide projects and funding opportunities on the AER’s social media channels.
  • Supporting in the development of communication tools such as infographics, brochures etc.
  • Contributing to the organisation of events and webinars in the context of European projects.

This is who we are:

  • We are a team where everyone—including interns—is respected and treated equally
  • We are a committed group of professionals, with terrific people on board
  • We have a meaningful mission; helping people across Europe to work together is what drives us
  • We provide a place for personal and professional growth. Working with a diverse group of colleagues and collaborators in an array of different policy areas widens your horizons and gives you the chance to develop valuable skills
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allow us to work efficiently, keep in close contact, and strengthen our community despite frequent travel and different locations

 This is the place for you if:

  • You want to gain concrete experience in the management of European projects
  • You want to build your knowledge of the different EU funded programmes
  • You have strong writing skills and an excellent command of both oral and written English
  • You have experience and interest in creating social media and web content
  • You are able to bring new ideas to help amplify our messages
  • You have well-developed IT, media and design skills e.g. Canva
  • You are self-motivated and interested in helping people work together to overcome challenges
  • You are able to perform tasks autonomously and take on responsibilities while organising your work with the rest of the team
  • You have a knack for multi-tasking and a solution-focused attitude
  • You are open-minded and would enjoy working in a multi-cultural, international and fast-paced working environment

The AER is happy to offer you the opportunity to:

  • Gain practical experience in the field of projects funded by European programmes
  • Gain experience using different communication tools and web channels
  • Be in contact with high-ranking politicians, project officers and partners across Europe and get inspired by them
  • Learn about regions and build your knowledge of contemporary issues in European politics and interregional cooperation
  • Work in a dynamic and multicultural environment
  • Develop your confidence and capacity to take personal responsibility and initiative
  • Gain invaluable experience in an international professional environment

You will be considered a full member of the team from day one.

Before applying, please keep in mind:

An internship contract must be signed by AER, the intern and a sending University/School/Institute.

The internship is intended for students who have to complete a compulsory internship and are therefore able to receive a scholarship through Erasmus+ or similar programmes. On top, you will receive a monthly financial contribution of EUR 150 by the AER during your internship period. Travel and living costs must be covered by the intern.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you will have to make sure that you meet all the legal requirements (visa, residence permit, etc.) to stay in Brussels as specified by the Belgian Law for foreigners. Health insurance must be ensured during your stay.

Please keep in mind that we are following all COVID-19 measures so you may not be working in the office full-time.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making the AER your next professional experience, please send your CV and 1-page cover letter to [email protected], by June 20 midnight with the subject line “AER Projects & Communication Intern”.

Interviews are planned to take place on a rolling basis throughout June. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

24 June, 2019 By Gisela Guari Cañada

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in the city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) in collaboration with EMAX Sweden will organise a workshop on the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship.

E-Kampen: Become an entrepreneur for a day!

What do you think is the age limit for starting a business plan? In Sweden, they believe that the younger the better. Proof of it is the fact that EMAX Sweden has given the opportunity for young students to think of entrepreneurship initiatives. This Swedish organisation has launched a school competition named E-Kampen: entrepreneur for a day! in which students can develop their own business idea and compete with their peers to become the best entrepreneurs.

The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) in collaboration with EMAX will bring all the way from Sweden to Novi Sad the E-Kampen initiative. Summer Academy participants will become entrepreneurs for a day!

How to participate?

If you wish to participate in this workshop and in many other activities, please visit the event page of the Summer Academy and discover the full programme. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the Novi Sad 2019 European Youth Capital!

Register Now!

Photo Credits: Pexels.com

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AER is recruiting an EU Project Manager (Closed)

5 April, 2019 By Editor

Interested in joining the Project Unit and managing European projects for the largest independent interregional network in Europe?

We are looking for a colleague to help us in managing the implementation of EU funded projects, joining the AER Project Unit and being able to well liaise with the other staff of the AER Secretariat, member regions and project partners. If you like the idea and you wish to be part of an international and motivated team, apply now!

This is who we are

  • We’re a very small team, so everybody is really important
  • We’re also a very great team, with awesome people on board
  • The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together?
  • It is a place for personal growth, as you get to work with so many very different people with different backgrounds your horizon widens and you change
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allows us to keep in close contact. despite frequent travels and different locations – and, it helps us for community building.

To put it simple: we’re the coolest network in Europe.

If this is you…

We need someone who is open-minded, team player, able to be operational from day one, with a strong project management attitude and skills, who enjoys the European spirit. Our new colleague will be in charge of ensuring the proper implementation of the following EU funded projects that are currently running:

– European Youth Together – Road to the Future (Erasmus+ Programme)

– Scirocco Exchange (3rd Health Programme)

– Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite! (DG Regio)

Responsibilities

  • Overall responsibility for the management of the projects above in close cooperation with the European Projects & Funding Coordinator and the Finance of European Projects Coordinator
  • Preparation of project deliverables
  • Implementation of projects activities
  • Daily communication with project partners, stakeholders and member regions
  • Project progress monitoring and evaluation
  • Preparation and processing of technical and financial reports
  • Participation in teleconferences, project meetings, workshops, conferences, etc
  • Communication and dissemination of the projects
  • Participation in writing proposals for submission under EU funded programmes

Your profile

  • 2+ years of proven working experience in the drafting and management of EU funded projects – proven track record of relevant projects is prerequisite
  • Sound knowledge of EU funding programmes
  • Autonomous and independent in task accomplishment
  • Ability to prioritise and multi-task
  • Excellent organisational skills and record-keeping
  • Strong team spirit and eager to contribute to common objectives
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Good working knowledge of all modern channels of communication (Office suite, Mailchimp, WordPress, Slack, etc)
  • Fluent English (both oral and written)

What we offer


An international environment with interesting and challenging fields of activities.
Belgian full-time employment contract of 1 year (possibility of extension depending of coming new projects).

Please send your cover letter and CV to [email protected]
Deadline for application: Tuesday 23 April 2019

Interviews: 29 April – 3 May 2019
Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Starting date: as soon as possible

Featured photo:pexels

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Call from EEA and Norway Grants on social dialogue and decent work now open

10 December, 2018 By Editor

EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 has released a new call for projects under their Social Dialogue – Decent Work Programme. Funding will be made available for projects favouring better working conditions, access to employment, and dialogue among workers, employers, and public authorities.

Know the basics

This grant scheme is funded by Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland with an aim to strengthen relations with beneficiary countries and reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA).

This call targets 11 beneficiary countries, each with its own specific call documents linked here: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Social partners (i.e. employers’ organisations and trade unions), public authorities, or organisations of public authorities may apply as lead partners to the call. But projects may bring on board a wide variety of partners from various sectors.

Develop your application

The EEA and Norway Grants have outlined three outcomes to be pursued by projects in the call:

  • Outcome 1: Improved social dialogue and cooperation
  • Outcome 2: Enhanced implementation of the decent work agenda (fair and decent working conditions)
  • Outcome 3: Facilitated access to employment (limited to the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia)

Applicants should choose one outcome to focus their efforts on. Each outcome has been elaborated in the call and assigned a number of indicators. These include “collective bargaining agreements signed as a result of this Programme” under Outcome 1, and “more activities conducted to facilitate access to employment” under Outcome 3. Take a look through these and reverse engineer a project that can realistically be expected to meet at least one of the targets listed.

The programme’s diverse list of areas of support under the programme allow applicants to tailor their proposals to address various priorities. Work-life balance, youth employment, and focus on the benefits of decent work are just a few of the areas projects may work within.

If you need some inspiration or are looking for collaborators to make your idea come to life, Innovation Norway has published a page on its website to help you find partners to join your project.

Get started!

The application, which must be accompanied be a number of  annexes listed on the call, must be submitted via an online form by Thursday, 7 February 2019, at 13:00 local time. Address all questions about the application to the programme’s official email address: [email protected].

If you are seeking advice about developing your application or need help finding partners, do not hesitate to reach out to the AER project unit.

European Projects

Agnese Pantaloni

Phone: +32 2 400 10 52
E-mail: a.pantaloni(at)aer.eu
Skype ID: agnesepanta
Languages: it, en, pt

Articles by Agnese


  • EU funding
  • Calls for projects and tenders
  • Partner search

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We’re hiring an Events and Communications Coordinator! (closed)

30 October, 2018 By Editor

Interested in managing the events organisation and communications for the largest interregional network in Europe?

We are looking for a colleague to build on a renewed brand identity that we launched last year and to continue innovating our communications systems, taking us to the next level.

We want this to be combined with a knack for organising events, from workshops, to multi-day conferences.

We offer a Belgian full-time employment contract, with a competitive salary.

You should have the right to live and work in Belgium.

This is who we are

Do you want to be our new colleague? Here are the things that are great about this workplace:

  • We’re a small team, so everybody is really important;
  • We’re also a great team, with awesome people on board;
  • We share strong values of open-mindedness, honesty, responsibility and a positive-attitude;
  • The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together?
  • It is a place for personal growth, as you get to work with so many very different people with different backgrounds your horizon widens and you change
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allows us to keep in close contact. despite frequent travels and different locations – and, it helps us for community building.

To put it simply: we’re the coolest network in Europe.

If this is you…

We need someone who is creative, responsive and upbeat. In this position, you will be expected to constantly strive to improve AERs visibility, recognition and image, to use your insights in a proactive manner, delivering results in a smart, politically sensitive way.

Our new colleague should speak and write fluently in English, have a work experience in a communications/PR position, as well as event organisation experience, be interested in the regional dimension in Europe, ready to travel across the continent and have a good working knowledge of all modern channels of communication (Office suite, Mailchimp, WordPress, Slack, social networks, Adobe suite…). Creative ideas and a good understanding of online community building are an absolute must.

As you may gather from this, “dynamic”, “open” and “inspiring” are key words when we look for a new team member. And, it doesn’t hurt if you’re cool and fun to be with.

Your professional profile should fit the responsibilities below:

Managing the implementation of AER Events (50%)

The Events and Communications coordinator will also be responsible for coordinating the organisation of all our major events. We have statutory events all around Europe, and each of them requires the development of a good flow and format that suits our members, and their rich discussions.

  • coordinate the sourcing of hosts for all of our statutory events;
  • coordinate, with the Policy and Knowledge transfer coordinator, the organisation of the Spring and Autumn AER Committee Plenaries;
  • coordinate the organisation of the AER General Assembly;
  • Coordinate the organisation of the bi-annual AER Bureau Meetings.

Leading AER’s communications & community (45%)

As Events and Communications Coordinator in our Brussels office, you will assist our team on “telling the story” for our successes, disseminate results of our day-to-day activities, contribute to branding AER as the place to be for regions, and help to bring visibility to individual regions and politicians via our channels.

Some examples of this:

  • build on AER’s new strategy for engagement and community building;
  • continue to reach AER’s audience via social media;
  • continue the development and management of our main communication channel (our website);
  • upscale our mass mailings;
  • communicate on our events (before, during and after) and increase engagement;
  • liaise with the Membership coordinator to promote individual regions and their success stories;
  • liaise with the Policy and knowledge transfer coordinator to bring light to our activities;
  • prepare the annual activity report.

In short: manage the information flow to and from our members and other stakeholders, create new links across Europe, increase the sense of ownership of our members.

Other tasks (5%)

As a small team, all members do more than just their main tasks. As a computer whiz, we hope you’ll be able to take over the handling of our IT responsibilities: handling the email accounts, setting up computers, and making sure the website it up and running efficiently.

Apply

If we have sparked your interest and you are interested in making AER your next professional challenge, here is how to apply:

Please send a short cover letter with your CV in English to [email protected] with “AER Events & Communications Coordinator” as subject line. Please include examples of Europe-related communications work (campaigns/website/brochures) and the types of events that you have organised (workshops/conferences/trainings).

Deadline for application: Tuesday 13 November 2018 (Close of business)
Starting date: Monday 3 December 2018

Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Connecting regions – inspiring Europe

Set up in 1985, The Assembly of European Regions is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, bringing together regions from 35 countries – from Norway to Turkey and from Russia to Portugal.

AER is present everywhere on the European continent, inside and outside the European Union. It is the political voice of its members, as well as a forum for interregional cooperation. AER has offices in Strasbourg (FR) and Brussels (BE) as well as representations in Alba (RO) and Dnipropetrovsk (UA).Follow AER!

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Discussing Cultural Heritage at the 2018 Summer Academy Plenary Sessions

6 September, 2018 By Editor

Over the course of five days regional politicians, officers and youth representatives from the AER member regions gathered together for the 2018 AER Summer Academy in Maramures (RO). The opening ceremony on the morning of 7 August was followed by the first of three plenary sessions spread over the week, in which experts and professionals working in this domain provided revealing insights into the question on what is at stake –from a regional perspective– for cultural heritage in Europe.

EU Cultural Policies and Funding Programs

The first session was on the topic of ‘EU cultural policies and funding programmes’ and how they serve in protecting and promoting cultural heritage. Virgil Ș. Nițulescu, from the Ministry of Culture and National Identity in Romania outlined the evolution of cultural policies at the national and EU levels. A point he stressed was that even before any steps were taken to establish cultural policies in legislation, countries in fact already had cultural policies even though they may not have been set down in writing. The principal entity advocating for cultural policy was the Council of Europe who, through the ‘European Cultural Convention’ of 1954, urges each contracting party to take appropriate measures with a view to developing a common cultural heritage in Europe. As a result, in 1985  its flagship programme ‘European Programme of National Cultural Policy reviews’ was launched to assess the state of the cultural policies of each member state. Finally, Mr. Nițulescu emphasised the significant role that creative industries play in the global economy, being amongst the fastest growing sectors in the world and generating considerable amount of revenues and jobs; especially among youth aged 15-29.

The second half of the session was conducted by Steliana Cojocariu from the Romanian Ministry of Tourism who explained her department’s involvement in the Council of Europe’s ‘Cultural Routes’; a programme which was initiated in 1987. To date, it has over 30 routes connecting different countries covering a range of different themes from architecture and religion to gastronomy as well as providing revealing figures on European music, literature and art. The Cultural Routes are an invitation to travel and discover the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Europe creating a network that brings people and places from different countries and cultures together.

The end of the session, reserved for questions from the audience, boosted some interesting discussions. For instance, the scope of cultural promotion was raised as a means of battling xenophobia and racism by promoting inclusiveness.

Relevance of Culture and Creativity for Youth

The second plenary session focused on the relevance of culture and creativity for youth, underscoring the role of youth in preserving Cultural Heritage. Ramona Culda –from the National Board of Employers and SMEs in Romania– presented ‘Creative START’, a 4-year project kicking off this year. Its aim is to actively support small and emerging businesses in the creative industries started by youth in the North West region of Romania. In total, 600 people from the region out of which 50% are women, will benefit from training courses focusing on the development of entrepreneurial competences. 75 of these will then receive a grant to start their own business as well as support for the first two years of implementation. The project can be very valuable to young people who are in the creative industries as they are instructed in creating and implementing a business plan.

Ion Georgescu, co-founder of the Comana Paper Mill Association (Moara de Hârtie, RO), explained how his association –dedicated to book-related crafts: handmade paper, letterpress printing and bookbinding– was established in 2011. In 2016, other traditional crafts were added through the Comana Crafts Village, a space designed to revive, preserve and transmit the Romanian crafts. Ion Georgescu described it as a “social economy initiative” – even though it is not formally classified as such– as the project has created jobs for people in the village who would have no other way of getting a formal job. Through crafts they have helped communities complement their income. Their work also targets the younger generation. 80% of what they do is about working with children by organising workshops for school groups. Despite crafts being part of the local cultural heritage, Ion raised concerns about the fact that if young people are not trained in this, crafts will eventually disappear. To Ion, crafts is very much about preserving identity.

Bert Ludwig, Director of European Heritage Volunteers, talked about cultural heritage through his professional experience running the European Heritage Volunteers projects. Created in Germany in 1992, they work mainly in rural areas with a hands-on approach. The idea is to get people directly involved in cultural heritage initiatives; to “infect people with the virus of heritage as it is through involvement that we build a connection and respect for culture”. In addition to this, volunteers can acquire skills and the know-how which is being transferred from the older generation, establishing an inter-generational dialogue.

Dora David, ESN (Erasmus Student Network) National Representative of Romania, and Diana Sabo, Vice-President of the Federation of Youth NGOs in Maramures, talked about the importance of cultural heritage both for individuals’ identity but also in terms of a “collective good”. Dora David explained that a significant part of what the ESN does is to get the students involved in local society. They do this by organising different activities which allow the students to discover the local culture as well as exchanging one another’s cultural knowledge. For Diana Sabo, “what connects us as a community is our cultural heritage which includes the values we obtain from education”. In her view, “learning about cultural heritage improves our understanding of the context we grew up in: it is our past, present and future. And it is by respecting our own heritage that we can also value others’ “.

Cultural Heritage enhancing Regional Attractiveness

The last plenary session, which took place on Friday 10 August, looked at cultural heritage as a tool for increasing regional attractiveness while also discussing the need for its sustainable use. Culture heritage holds a well-known economic potential, for instance, in the tourism sector but it is also an agent in the transmission of expertise, skills and knowledge between generations. The EU envisages it as a fragile wealth that needs to be preserved and passed on to future generations. And although cultural heritage can include intangible elements, it is important in giving value and a sense of identity to a region, helping to build its future. The challenge becomes for regions to find their own identity and cultural heritage and valorise it.

In this regard, Anamaria Diaconu, National Institute for Cultural Research and Training, presented some facts and figures from a mapping on cultural consumption in various regions at the national level. This has enabled an evaluation of the cultural situation at the national and regional levels allowing for a comparison between areas and raising issues for improvement. What the statistics evidenced was the low levels of participation in cultural heritage sites, including low perceptions of the benefits that cultural heritage can bring in terms of tourism development, economic benefits and other spillover effects.

Peter Hurley, founder of Intercultural Traditions Association (Maramures, RO), focused on the need of valorising and preserving cultural heritage in the Romanian context. Originally from Ireland, he moved to Romania almost a quarter of a century ago after being captivated by the richness of the country’s culture. He describes as a European challenge what he considers “the sinking of the last Romanian cultural heritage we have”. According to Peter, the cultural heritage in Romania is something still “alive”, as traditional forms of cultural expressions prevail over the passing of time whereas in other countries cultural heritage belongs to the past. Peter Hurley concluded that we all have a duty to preserve cultural heritage by convincing people that it is something worth saving.

Article by Mariangela Clendon
Eurodyssey trainee at Brussels International
(Brussels Capital-Region, BE)

Photo credits: @Maramures County CouncilFollow AER!

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Internship on EU projects & funding at AER Brussels Office (CLOSED)

23 May, 2018 By Editor

Are you willing to learn and to be part of the team working on EU projects for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe?

We are looking for an intern to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator.

Your main tasks will be:

  • Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (both based on desk research and by participating to relevant events as Info Days on funding programmes)
  • Writing articles on the results of your mapping as well as on running projects and activities
  • Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members
  • Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all concerning activities and finances
  • Providing inputs in terms of drafting documents to join new project proposals

Finally, the intern will assist the team in general office management tasks.

This is who we are

Here are some things that make great working with us:

  • We are a team where everybody is treated equally
  • We are a very great team, with awesome people on board
  • What we do is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together?
  • It is a place for personal growth. As you get to work with so many very different people with different backgrounds your horizon widens and you change
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allow us to keep in close contact despite frequent travels and different locations. Such tools are also super useful for community building.

 This is the best place for you if…

  • You have any knowledge or previous experience in European project management and funding.
  • You have excellent knowledge of both oral and written English. Knowledge of any other European languages is considered as a useful asset of your work here.
  • You are self-motivated and have interest in helping people to work together on tackling challenges.
  • You are able to perform tasks autonomously and take responsibilities as well as to coordinate your work with the rest of the team.
  • You are a creative and problem-solving oriented person.

AER is happy to offer you the opportunity to:

  • Gain a practical experience in the field of projects funded by European programmes.
  • Be in contact with high ranking politicians, project officers and partners across Europe and get inspired by them.
  • Learn about regions and get a deeper insight into current European political issues
  • Work in a dynamic, multinational and multicultural environment
  • Develop personal responsibility and initiative
  • Gain invaluable experience in an international professional environment

The internship period will be of 6 months, starting at the end of August/beginning of September.

From your arrival onward, you will be considered as full team member.

Before applying, please keep in mind…

A contract for internship must be signed by AER, the trainee and the sending University/School/Institute.

You will receive a monthly financial contribution of EUR 150 during your internship period. Travel and living costs must be covered by the intern.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you will have to make sure that you meet all the legal requirements (visa, residence permit, etc) to stay in Brussels as specified by the Belgian Law for foreigners. Health insurance must be ensured during your stay.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making AER your next professional experience, please send your CV and cover letter to Marie Daviet at her email address [email protected] by 20 June h 12:00 CET, with email subject “AER European Projects Intern”.

Interviews will take place between end of June/beginning of July.Follow AER!

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The Future of Work: Skills and Competences

11 December, 2017 By Editor

During AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. The group called Skills and Competences: Racing with Machines discussed the skills and competences which will become the most valuable as AI continues to progress. A central focus for the group was on the reforms needed in education systems to better prepare students for labour market’s changing landscape.

The group benefited from the presence of multiple education experts whose regions are at the forefront of educational reform. Moderating the group was Ann Nowe of the VUB Artificial Intelligence lab, who brought first-hand knowledge of the latest developments in the capabilities of AI. The VUB AI lab was an event partner and helped organise a study visit to their lab where attendees could witness real innovation in AI.

Contributors involved in their region’s education systems were Sanna Parkkinen, a County Councilor from North Karelia, Leonardo Lorusso, the Head of Education and Culture in Lombardy and Paolo Bresciani of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Trentino. Each of these contributors provided insight into the reforms needed by education systems and the areas support required implement them.

Challenges

Going forward, a challenge identified by contributors will be addressing the gap between the skills many individuals possess and those required by the labour market. According to contributors, education systems have yet to adapt to a labour market which requires prospective employees to be able to understand and work with AI.

Currently, education systems are under tremendous financial stress making it difficult for them to get the funding they need to carry out the appropriate educational reforms. Even when resources become available, it can be difficult to determine what outcomes the education system should be producing. Nowadays, the pace of technological innovation has become so fast that skills can become outmoded in a matter of years making it difficult for education systems to determine which ones to prioritise.

Policy Recommendations

Contributors stated that education systems must be modernised to increase their compatibility with the labour market’s current conditions. Indeed, education system’s outcomes must be designed with the goal of giving students the skills which are needed to obtain secure jobs. Like many, contributors advocated for making computer science a mandatory component of school curriculums at all levels (K-Higher Ed.).

In nearly every Western country, jobs in the tech sector are among those with the fastest growth rates. The sheer number of jobs required means that every year, jobs are left unfilled. Thus, becoming proficient coders practically prints tickets to money for students. Even if students do not eventually end up with jobs in the tech sector, computer science classes will give citizens a better understanding of the digital world in which they live. Being able to code also helps teach children valuable skills such as the ability to problem solve and think critically.

If computer science classes are to become mandatory, contributors claimed teachers will have to be well trained in computer science. Currently, a barrier to schools offering computer science classes is that too few teachers have the knowledge needed to teach those classes.

While coding may be a new form of literacy, contributors said that schools need to work on building people’s soft skills. Contributors affirmed the notion that soft skills such as emotional intelligence, people management, and creative problem solving-at least for the time being-will remain the sole domain of people. With computers struggling to adopt these skills, these competencies will become increasingly attractive to employers.

Contributors also recommended that education systems rethink their priorities to emphasise lifelong learning. Transitioning to a lifelong learning model means shifting away from rewarding memorisation to encouraging curiosity and creativity. These skills are the foundations for the entrepreneurial workforce which an AI driven society will create.

Experiences Shared

Paolo Bresciani presented the steps they have taken to modernise their education system for the digital age. In Trentino, the secondary school curriculum has been updated to help students learn more about ICT and new technologies. Moreover, Trentino has established traineeships to assist students in the application and development their ICT skills, increasing their future employability. To encourage students to take initiative, Trentino has launched prizes for students who develop research projects.

Meanwhile, Sanna Parkkinen underlined that North Karelia is hard at work developing a project to begin teaching preschoolers how to use technology. A similar project is also being designed for primary school students to help them acquire technological skills and literacy. The projects are a part of a push in North Karelia to equip students with the computer science skills which are becoming increasingly important as AI advances.

Leonardo Lorusso explained Lombardy has set up a task force to determine which skills and competences are high in demand, brining together all relevant stakeholders from education organisations to businesses. The ad hoc group emerged as a part of Lombardy’s 2030 initiative aimed at increasing the region’s economic development and competiveness.Follow AER!

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Stimulating Innovation in AI

6 December, 2017 By Editor

Supporting innovation, Attracting Innovators

At AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. Contributors highlighted the changes they expect to see in their fields with the progression of AI and its implications for their work. The group titled supporting innovation, attracting innovators was to discuss how regions can support innovation in AI the purpose of doing so. For an hour, they engaged in lively debate over issues such as the financing of AI projects and investment stimulation in a market dominated by GAFA.

Accordingly, group contributors brought extensive expertise in public sector technology investment and included Jean-Luc Vanraes, the President of AER Committee 1 and Chair of AER’s Working Group SMEs and Investments, along with Marie-Josée Blais the Assistant Deputy Minister of Science and Innovation Sector in Québec. As the chair of AER’s Working Group on SMEs and Investments Mr. Vanraes helps to distribute knowledge on SMEs throughout AER and to its members. Ms. Blais’ primary responsibility is the development and implementation of Québec’s research and innovation strategy which has invested 2.8 billion dollars into stimulating innovation in digital technology in Quebec.

Other contributors brought first-hand knowledge of the financial and environmental needs of the AI industry with Pierre Cherelle of Spin-off Axiles Bionics a division of the Brussels Human Robotics Research Centers and Edwin Mermans from the New Mobility Services Initiative of the EIP-SCC Action Cluster Sustainable Urban Mobility working as contributors. The New Mobility Services Initiative is an outgrowth of the EIP-SCC which seeks to facilitate cooperation between cities and the private sector in order to integrate and manage urban transport, as well as contribute to the development of universal systems for “seamless multi-modal mobility”. Their work directly benefits cities and their citizens while offering apathy to growth for innovative enterprises. For those interested, more information about the New Mobility Services Initiative’s actions can be accessed through the embedded link here or at the bottom of the article.

Earlier this year, VUB Robotics won the Best Startup Award at the highly regarded conference IROS’17 in Vancouver, Canada. After ten years of research BHRRC have become industry leaders. developing a new technology which combines advanced robotics and human biomechanics to replicate the unique combination of flexibility and strength in the ankle. As they begin to bring the fruits of their labour to the market, the quality of life for amputees looks to be dramatically improved. Moderating the group was Jonathan Duplicy a scientific advisor from Innoviris who acted as AER’s event partner and who are implementing the Brussels Capital Region’s new 4 million Euro programme dedicated to producing innovation in AI.

Major Changes Expected

In the knowledge based economy of the 21st century, innovation in the technology sector acts as a primary driver of economic competitiveness and growth. Thus, many of the changes predicted by the discussion panel were around boosting the European digital economy. Chiefly, contributors claimed that people can expect a push in the coming years to create multiple Silicon Valleys in Europe to foster innovation in AI. To give life to Europe’s own Silicon Valleys contributors said that work will need to be done in building the support systems and infrastructure these entities need to establish themselves and thrive.

One area of improvement will be getting entrepreneurs the capital they need to finance their operations with co-funding of projects such as public-private partnerships expected to increase to allow cash-strapped regions to stimulate innovation. To avoid burying start-ups in fees and paperwork, legal frameworks in the field of AI will become more flexible. Helping to provide resources specific to innovators’ needs will be the emergence of AI hubs consisting of incubators which will supply things like co-working spaces and allow for the exchange of best practices. Additionally, they noted that the approach to stimulating innovation will require a two-pronged approach consisting of top-down national plans to regulate and fund innovation, and bottom-up demand driven creation of SMEs. Moreover, contributors expected continual integration of the latest AI technology from research hubs and academia into business and industry which will improve productivity.

Challenges Expected

Although the development of AI promises to improve the lives of many, the road to fostering innovation will be far from easy. Many of the challenges outlined by contributors centered around creating a business environment where companies can succeed. One test anticipated by contributors is the removal of administrative barriers which increase the amount of time and resources required for companies to get off the ground. Even when companies succeed in bring their product to the market, an obstacle will be breaking up monopolies on AI in the tech sector which stifle the growth of start-ups. For entrepreneurs to gain access to financing in the first place, contributors said that Europe must work towards further cultivating an entrepreneurial culture. They believe that regions will have to become far less risk adverse to investment in technology development and research, particularly in early stage ventures. Granting innovative projects early on will help compensate for high costs needed to develop AI, according to contributors.

When it comes to financing for projects, attracting partners for PPPs may prove to be a difficulty for regions who have historically experienced minimal growth in the tech sector. Moreover, to maximize efficiency regions contributors said regions must cooperate to avoid industry overlap and ensure that competitive advantages are being built. Finally, participants expected to encounter difficulties in articulating a positive vision about the benefits of such a complex technology to organisations and public bodies dealing with AI.

Personal experiences

Mr. Mermans talked about how the Smart Cities and Communities partnership has been making headway in using electronic data collection from citizens and different devices to come up with innovative solutions to some of the environmental, societal and health challenges facing European cities today. Some of the work done in co-funding projects and in coordinating existing city initiatives and projects through resource pooling have already contributed to lower pollution and congestion levels in cities.

Indeed, participants affirmed that regions have the financial and intellectual capacities to be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution, citing Innoviris as an example who have funded numerous scientific research projects based locally in Brussels. Particularly insightful was the experience of Quebec who created a national innovation strategy by developing the infrastructure to connect AI stakeholders such as corporations, academia, and investors. This policy has borne fruit in extensive investment in AI in Quebec, helping Montreal become one of the global leaders of AI and deep learning.

Regions as Leaders in Innovation

While the United States and Asia have produced hundreds of tech start-ups, Europe’s pace has not been nearly as prolific. Many European tech start-ups have been bought out by US companies while talented computer scientists have left for Silicon Valley. Events such as AER’s AI help provide a forum where participants can learn from each other’s expertise and experiences, giving a starting point for ideas which will once again make regions leaders in AI innovation.

 

171018 V1.1 New Mobility ServicesFollow AER!

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Project on Youth Career Centre for EEA and Norway Grants

7 July, 2017 By Editor

Searching for projects targeting youth employment?

If so, you are at the right place for finding your Consortium. The Inter-municipal Development Centre of the Municipalities Grosuplje, Ivančna Gorica and Trebnje (Slovenia) are currently looking for partners to develop an innovative project which will be submitted within the framework of the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. You can find all the information about the Call for Proposal in our previous article regarding this funding opportunity.

Why getting involved?

The aim of this initiative is to establish youth career centres in order for youngsters to benefit from life-long career orientation mechanisms and thus enable them to enter the labour market and remain there in the long term. In other words, this international non-profit youth employment agency seeks to assist their target group, including young women and NEETs, in getting their first job for a minimum period of 6 months. Its core purpose is to contribute to building a strong network of beneficiary employers willing to mentor and participate in intergenerational co-operation within this agency.

They are looking for you if…

  • You are from a Northern-European country, ideally from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
  • You can form local partnerships in your own town by bringing together national or local public institutions as well as NGOs.

These local partnerships will perform the following activities:

  • Organizing activities for youth to help them developing crucial competencies as well as facilitating their access to the labour market – via obtaining certificates and licences;
  • Performing career centre activities: individual guidance, lectures, workshops for competence-building and networking with employers;
  • Cooperating to establish an international youth employment agency – one for the whole partnership;
  • Employing local youth in the employment agency and find them work;
  • Hosting international youth from the employment agency and find them work.

In addition to this, the expertise partner will perform the following activities:

  • Share knowledge and experiences about the topic of youth employment in his own country;
  • Presentation of his model-program and consulting how to transfer good practice examples to project partners countries.

How to apply?

In the first phase, a concept note must be submitted electronically for this Call for Proposal open until August 1st (12:00 noon CET). Then, the shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full project application (deadline: November 1st)

Did you get interested and inspired? If so, please do not hesitate to contact the AER Secretariat by July 14th in order to take advantage of this funding opportunity.

Photo credits: @pexels https://static.pexels.com/photos/40815/youth-active-jump-happy-40815.jpegFollow AER!

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Join the EU pilot-initiative “Interreg Volunteer Youth”

7 April, 2017 By Mathieu Mori

The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative is part of the broader European Solidarity Corps Initiative launched by the European Commission in December 2016.

IVY officially started on 1st March 2017 and is a 1-year pilot action to offer the possibility to young Europeans aged 18-30 to serve as volunteers in the cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects. Each experience is between 2 and 6 month long.

The initiative aims at involving young volunteers to support, promote and report the concrete achievements of Interreg programmes and projects, as well as generally promote cooperation across European borders and related values such as solidarity. IVY will give volunteers the opportunity to familiarise with the Interreg programmes and projects, make them aware of the many benefits of collaboration among EU internal borders as well as enhance their sense of European solidarity, citizenship and civic engagement. Moreover, thanks to the IVY, volunteers will acquire a unique experience of personal growth as well as enhancing and gaining skills that they can employ in their future experiences.

Support and visibility through volunteering are the leitmotiv of this initiative.

The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), a longstanding AER partner, has the pleasure and honour to manage this pilot initiative on behalf of the European Commission.

AER supports this initiative which complements, on the volunteering side, its Eurodyssey programme.

Interreg Programmes & Projects interested in joining IVY and are welcome to contact AERB at: [email protected]Follow AER!

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Integration in the labour market for asylum seekers and refugees: looking for project partners!

9 February, 2017 By Agnese Pantaloni

Kahramanmaras Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), member of the Assembly of European Regions, is preparing a project proposal as lead partner in the framework of the Employment and Social Innovation EaSI programme aimed to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions.

The call addressed by this project is “Fast track integration into the labour market for third country nationals targeting exclusively asylum seekers, refugees and their family members – VP/2016/015” which might be shared by other AER member regions being the topic of migrants and refugees very high in the AER agenda and discussions.

The objectives of this Call are:

• to promote the development and testing of innovative and effective mechanisms to ensure fast-track integration into the labour market

• to develop sustainable multi-level partnerships models conducive towards the integration of the targeted groups into the labour market

• to foster knowledge- and experience-sharing between different Member States of already functioning swift and successful insertion mechanisms into the labour market of the targeted groups, with a strong emphasis on the challenges faced by women

Kahramanmaras Metropolitan Municipality is now looking for partners to complete the consortia, which should be public bodies, profit or non-profit-making private entities, or international organisations established and registered in EU Member States, Iceland and Norway in accordance with the EEA Agreement, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

The deadline of this call for project proposals is 30th March.

We wish to share within AER network the partner search of Kahramanmaras Metropolitan Municipality, therefore if you are interested to know more about this opportunity and/or to join the project do not hesitate to get in touch with AER Secretariat by 21st February.

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Partner search for a project on sustainable job creation for people with learning disabilities

7 February, 2017 By Agnese Pantaloni

Groep maatwerk, the umbrella federation of social enterprises that provide tailored work for people with disabilities in Flanders (Belgium), is looking for European partners for a project on sustainable job creation for people with learning disabilities. They want to exchange successful practices that can give an answer to this challenge and engage stakeholders on different levels: federations, employers, authorities and educational institutions.

They are looking for partners with an experience in the employment of people with learning disabilities, as they want to integrate the knowledge and expertise of complementary partners.
–    At least 1 federation of employers that focus on the employment of people with learning disabilities
–    At least one 1 employer that demonstrates an evidence-based HR-model on the inclusion of people with disabilities
–    1 authority/agency that (among others) aims to promote participation, integration and equal opportunities for people with learning disabilities in working life
–    1 special education school that allies to the changing employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities

The lead partner would like to hold a first  preparatory meeting by skype at the 3rd week of February, therefore if you would like to join this project and/or ask additional information get in touch with the AER Secretariat by 17th February.

The final project will be submitted on 15th March at the latest.Follow AER!

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Partner search: food surpluses and/or secondary flows

16 January, 2017 By Editor

KOMOSIE (Koepel van Milieuondernemers in de Sociale Economie) is the non-profit umbrella organisation of recognised reuse centres and energy savers in Flanders. Since 2013 Komosie has been building up a new ‘branch’: Foodsaving – being socially active with food surplus and secondary flows. Komosie brings together social economy enterprises that carry out activities with ecological added value and provides them with support for their professional operation. Komosie wants to help protect the environment, all the while creating and maintaining jobs for at-risk groups in the labour market.

KOMOSIE is searching for partners for a project on food surpluses and/or secondary flows, in the framework of the Interreg 2 Seas programme. They want to strengthen the network of social enterprises and organisations that work with food surpluses and/or secondary flows in one or several of the following ways: supply, storage, processing and/or distribution. The aim is to create sustainable jobs for people who have difficulties integrating in the regular job market, while making sure that the product of their activities is ecologically valuable (by reducing food waste and valorising secondary flows) and preferably also supportive to people living in poverty.

In particular, some of the areas in which KOMOSIE is searching for partners are:

  • Developing/strengthening of knowledge centres in each area of the 2 Seas on the topic of ‘working socially with food surplus and secondary flows’, adapted to the local context
  • Supporting the creation and functioning of intermediate distribution platforms, both physical platforms and online platforms
  • Developing or adapting a common registration methodology and system to measure the amount and type of food surplus that is saved by this network of social enterprises and organisations, in relation to the food waste hierarchy and promote the use of it in the region

If you are interested in partnering with KOMOSIE on their project proposal, please contact the AER Secretariat before 27 January 2017.Follow AER!

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