Starting Strong: The First SKILLS Call Beneficiaries’ Mutual Learning Event

The ‘Social Innovations for the Upskilling of Vulnerable Youth, Especially Young People Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs)’ Call aims to develop the skills of vulnerable youth, particularly NEETs, by re-engaging them in learning and facilitating their (re‑)integration into the labour market. With total funding of €9.2 million, the initiative seeks to engage over 5,000 vulnerable young people across 20 projects, involving 125 organisations from EU Member States. The event held on 25-26 March 2025 in Bologna brought together key stakeholders to share best practices and collaborate on scaling successful solutions for youth inclusion and skills development across Europe.

Taking the First Step: Introduction to One Another

One of the essential elements of a successful mutual learning event is giving each of the 20 SKILLS Call Project Coordinators the opportunity to introduce themselves. It is crucial for participants not only to represent their projects but also to understand the diverse approaches and unique challenges faced by each initiative. Recognising the different contexts and innovative methods used across the projects fosters a collaborative atmosphere, enabling coordinators to learn from one another and identify areas for future cooperation. This exchange of ideas is key to strengthening the impact of all the projects and ensuring that the shared goal of supporting vulnerable youth, particularly NEETs, is achieved in the most effective way possible.

Encouraging Collaborative Problem-Solving through Case Clinics

Although the implementation areas of the 20 projects may vary, the challenges they face are often similar. To address these challenges, the Case Clinics method was used to promote collaborative problem-solving. Case Clinics engage everyone in the room, allowing participants to share their insights and receive advice in return. It is a dynamic, supportive, and creative process – we encourage bold ideas and facilitate brainstorming,’ highlighted Eglė Kryžanauskaitė, ESF+ Project Coordinator, the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation.

Ten different cases were analysed, covering a wide range of topics, including outreach, housing options, dissemination of results, and engaging both the public and private sectors. This approach highlighted the power of collective knowledge, showing how diverse groups can collaborate to find creative solutions to complex problems.

Meeting the Needs of SKILLS Project Coordinators: Best Practices from Across Europe

The European Competence Centre for Social Innovation stands out for its commitment to promoting networking and knowledge-sharing across Europe. By highlighting successful best practices from countries like Italy—through study visits to organisations such as CEFAL Emilia-Romagna and the Municipality of Bologna—as well as learning from Finland’s expertise, the event showcased how these approaches can be adapted and applied to a variety of EU projects. These best practices serve as a foundation for participants to build upon, offering invaluable insights that can be readily implemented in their own initiatives.

The European Competence Centre’s for Social Innovation focus on practical solutions, rather than theoretical concepts, makes these learning opportunities especially relevant to project coordinators. The participants left the event with concrete ideas they could take back and apply in their own contexts, be they about tackling social innovation challenges or improving project outcomes.

Valuable Face-to-Face Meetings with Transnational Call Team Experts

A key highlight of the event was the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with the Transnational Call Team. These in-person interactions allowed participants to discuss challenges, share insights, and build meaningful partnerships. For project coordinators, they were crucial in fostering deeper discussions, asking important questions, and strengthening collaborative relationships.

‘These one-to-one consultations are highly valued by project beneficiaries, as they’re only available once or twice a year. A live meeting allows for immediate and more detailed discussions, creating a warmer, more lasting relationship with the ESF+ Project Coordinator. This builds mutual trust and leads to better project implementation,’ said Miglė Aleksonytė, Head of Project Management Group at the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation.

Next: A Step Toward Future Success

Events like the ‘First SKILLS Call Beneficiaries’ Mutual Learning Event’ are crucial for driving progress. By providing a platform for networking, sharing best practices, and solving problems together, the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation helps create a collaborative environment where participants can learn, grow, and succeed. The success of this event proves that when we exchange ideas, work together, and tap into our collective expertise, we can achieve incredible things!

Be Part of the Change!

Would you be interested in inviting the SKILLS project coordinators to your organisation for a study visit? Would you like next year’s event to be held in your country, city, or region? Share your ideas with us! Send your proposals to events@socialinnovationplus.eu