Focus on refugee migration to Europe means a focus on a silent parallel emigration crisis - the “brain drain” from the Western Balkans – has lost momentum of solving the loss of able, highly educated individuals from our region in search of higher-paying jobs or and better working conditions elsewhere that has taking place since the 1990. BalVET-EWEC aims to keep talent home by addressing the need for young people to acquire new skills that will enable them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Pilots establish living labs as VET capacity-building mechanisms, develop new curricula for skills development for learners ages 16-28, and create opportunities for synergies and cross-border collaboration. Actions VET educators as “paradigm shifter” learning facilitators to mentor learners with skills to respond to myriad jobs - both in conventional local markets and in remote work; entrepreneurship ed positions both VET systems and learners for the twin transitions, and Open Badges display capacity transparency of skills acquired during training. Via the Collaborative Leadership Process, EWEC also prepares a cross-section of sectors to respond to innovation and technology advancements that warrant the design of new products and services, create new jobs and careers and support social entrepreneurship to address social agendas. It reviews the “new normals” of workplace realities reshaped by social disruptors that, coupled with initiatives that promote digitalization, sustainability and the greening of society, present new opportunities for young people in our region to re-evaluate how, where and for whom they work, but are in need of new skillsets to face post-Covid careers. Mobility for both teachers and learners is a priority. Ultimately, a new generation of changemakers and problem-solvers is nurtured, able to address challenges with new skillsets, enter or progress in a variety of labor markets and contribute to the economic development of our region.

In light of EU challenges relating to an aging workforce and the energy transition, the EU faces a shortage of relevant skills. GS4S seeks to better understand global skills shortages in selected sectors (Digital, Care and Construction) and strengthens evidence-based policies through new evidence on various overlooked global mobility schemes. Uniquely, a business perspective at macro, meso and micro levels is central to the proposal, juxtaposing local strategies for filling skills shortages of Multinational Enterprises and Small- and Medium Enterprises in global value chains. Moreover, we focus on skilled (migrant) workers experiences with skilling, upskilling and reskilling in EU and non-EU regional contexts. We propose multi-level policies on labour migration governance and alternative ways for addressing these shortages in the six regions (EU, EEA, Western Balkan, Middle East and Northern Africa, West Africa, and South/South-East Asia). Using mixed-methods research, the interdisciplinary consortium (with partners in Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Egypt, Nigeria, and Bangladesh) aims to provide exploitable datasets and practical tools for policy makers, businesses, and educational institutions in the EU and non-EU countries towards improved matching of skills to address labour market needs. In doing so, the project aims to contribute to a socially sustainable (well-being oriented) global strategy for skills, migration and development.

SHORE will be focusing on engaging & mobilizing students, teachers, and schools to implement the Mission Ocean objectives to increase ocean literacy with the help of community activities & cooperation projects. SHORE project will last 36 months and cover five different regional areas (Baltic, Black, Mediterranean Sea, Danube & Rhine River Area) with its 14 consortium partners. It will set up Country Hubs to offer guidance for the educators and schools on Blue Curricula, develop and implement their projects and use open schooling methodologies. Contry Hubs will also promote community activities such as exhibitions, workshops, training, seminars, and meetNtalks to increase the awareness of ocean literacy among the society. SHORE will provide grants to 100 schools through three open call periods for proposals to support blue projects for a maximum amount of up to 10.000 euro per grant. Educational materials and trainings for educators will be available during th eprojec to increase their knowledge about sustainable and blue education. A digital platform will be set-up to monitor school projects, and provide a virtual learning environment system including rewards and badges. In addition, at the end of each school period, a public voting session will be held to raise awareness & engagement, create a wider audience and select the best school project which will receive the "Ocean Ambassador/Literate of the Year Award. An Ocean Literacy Action Center will be established within the YTU to coordinate public activities and bring researchers and public together to enhance ocean literacy during the project and thereafter.