EARLALL - European Association of Regional & Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning

At Future Västra Götaland 2026 – Global Challenges, West Swedish Solutions, stakeholders from across the region came together to explore how to tackle today’s societal challenges—and shape tomorrow. As an active member of EARLALL (and holding the Presidency), Västra Götalandsregionen continues to demonstrate how regional collaboration, lifelong learning, and inclusive governance can drive sustainable development at both regional and European levels. A few key reflections: 🔹 The future is built through action As moderator Emanuel Karlsten reminded us, history shows that major societal challenges can be solved—the question is what we choose to do now. 🔹 Inclusion drives innovation Madeleine Jonsson, President of EARLALL and Chair of the Environment and Regional Development Committee, highlighted that innovation is not only about ideas, but about who gets heard. Broadening participation strengthens both impact and competitiveness. 🔹 Young people need real influence Helen Ashtari and Kenny Dos Santos emphasized the importance of trust, responsibility, and meaningful engagement—not just consultation. 🔹 Leadership in uncertain times The updated Regional Development Strategy for Västra Götaland 2021–2030 (with a view to 2045) provided an important framework for discussions on long-term, sustainable development. 👉 Read more about the strategy: https://lnkd.in/eNpjE-n6 💫The key takeaway? The future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build together. 📸 Thanks to Camilla Winter

Curious about what the future of Advanced Manufacturing holds for tomorrow’s workforce? Join us at LCAMP Week & Open Days 2026 — a three-day international event focused on Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the latest in advanced manufacturing. 📍 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country | 🗓 21–23 April 2026 The event will bring together VET teachers, VET centre managers, students, and industry professionals from across Europe and beyond to explore practical approaches to Learning Factories, Industry 4.0, and skills development. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/emjp7SHb

On 23–24 March 2026, EARLALL participated in the #LifelongGuidance 5.0 project Conference in Vienna (organised by Die Wiener Volkshochschulen GmbH), bringing a strong regional and local perspective to discussions on how guidance systems can evolve in response to digitalisation and fast-changing labour markets. From inspiring contributions by Daniela Ecker-Stepp, Marko Miloradović, Andrea Bernert-Bürkle, and Britta Matthes, to interactive sessions with experts such as Johan Bürger Hyllienmark and Kristín Erla Thráinsdóttir, the conference highlighted a shared message: 👉 Career guidance is more important than ever in times of transformation. 💡 Key takeaways: 🔹Lifelong learning is essential to address demographic change and support those furthest from the labour market 🔹Digitalisation and AI are reshaping professions—but human-centred guidance remains crucial 🔹Counsellors need new skills, tools, and knowledge to navigate emerging challenges 🔹Inclusive approaches are key to reaching vulnerable groups and ensuring no one is left behind 🔹Strong regional ecosystems play a vital role in bridging skills gaps and supporting economic development The event also showcased concrete practices—from competence assessment in adult learning to innovative methods for identifying skills needs—demonstrating how guidance can empower individuals and strengthen communities. At EARLALL, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting inclusive, future-oriented lifelong guidance systems across Europe, ensuring that education and career pathways remain accessible to all. 🔗 Read more in the full article: https://lnkd.in/eYVDDmuR With the support by Volkshochschulverband Baden-Württemberg, IUC Jämtland Härjedalen, Heidelberg University, Die Wiener Volkshochschulen GmbH.

📰 EARLALL Insights Newsletter – Spring 2026 is out! 🔗 Read it: https://lnkd.in/ejjjZ42H 🔔 Subscribe: https://lnkd.in/e3AVmSE In this issue, you will find: 🟡 Highlights: EARLALL celebrates 25 years of strengthening regional cooperation in lifelong learning, with upcoming celebrations across Europe and a Forum in Brussels 🔵 Policy updates: contributions to key EU debates on VET, Erasmus+ 2028–2034, skills portability, and the future EU budget 🟡 News from our Network: insights from the Lifelong Guidance 5.0 Conference, working groups activities, and exchanges with regions and universities across Europe 🔵 Cooperation and events: EARLALL’s participation in major EU initiatives and events, including the EU Social Forum, Pact for Skills, and Civil Society Week 🟡 Updates from our members: inspiring regional practices in mobility, VET excellence, inclusion, and innovation 🔵 Project updates: latest developments from LCAMP: Learner Centric Advanced Manufacturing Platform for CoVEs, TRAILS - Enabling data analytics for actions tackling skills shortages and mismatch, #SKYLAInterreg, #SALAMInterreg, #QUEENInterreg, LeadEx Interreg, Lifelong Guidance 5.0 – Upscaling Guidance Services in Europe and WISE – Supporting Ukrainian (UA) Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing. Stay connected with the latest developments in skills, lifelong learning, and regional cooperation across Europe 🌍 🔔 Subscribe: https://lnkd.in/e3AVmSE

🔹 What’s new in #SALAMInterreg - Sustainable Access to the Labour Market ( Interreg Europe project? 🗞️ We’re excited to share fresh insights from the SALAM project—where regions across Europe are working together to make labour markets more inclusive, resilient, and accessible for migrants. 🔍 Highlights from this edition: 🔸In January 2026, SALAM partners gathered in Timișoara 🇷🇴 for the 4th Residential Peer Learning Event—two days of hands-on exchanges, study visits, and inspiring discussions. From local initiatives to national strategies, the focus was clear: turning migration into an opportunity through coordinated action and inclusive policies. 🔸Collaboration in action: partners deepened bilateral exchanges on policy instruments, sharing concrete ideas for pilot actions and future policy improvements to better support labour market integration. 🔸Learning beyond borders: SALAM partners also joined a Policy Learning Platform (Interreg Europe) workshop in Amsterdam, exploring how social economy initiatives can empower vulnerable groups and strengthen cooperation at the local level. 🔸Voices from the ground: through interviews and good practice exchanges, partners highlighted innovative approaches—from workplace-based language learning to early job-matching solutions—showing what really works in practice. 🔸At EU level: important momentum is building! The new EU Council Recommendation on Human Capital (March 2026) and ongoing work on Skills Portability are key steps towards more inclusive, mobile, and future-ready labour markets across Europe. 🗓️ SALAM at the Lifelong Learning Week 2025 #LLLW2025 (European Association for the Education of Adults - EAEA, Lifelong Learning Platform - European Civil Society for Education): Francesca Torlone, SALAM project coordinator, contributed to a session on micro-credentials as inclusive learning pathways—highlighting how flexible learning can unlock opportunities for migrant adult learners. Discover more about the project: https://lnkd.in/drMsYJBQ With the support of: Università degli Studi di Firenze, Folkhögskoleförvaltningen, West University of Timisoara, West Regional Development Agency - West RDA, 🏫 Università degli Studi di Firenze, Regione Toscana, Centre-Val de Loire Region, GIP Alfa Centre-Val de Loire, Västra Götalandsregionen, Folkhögskoleförvaltningen, West University of Timisoara, West Regional Development Agency - West RDA, Volkshochschulverband Baden-Württemberg, Departament d'Empresa i Treball

EARLALL is proud to have contributed to the development of the LeadEx Library on the Interreg Europe platform, as well as to the production of the latest video materials capturing key insights from the study visit in Estonia. 🎥 The update features three new videos capturing the study visit, stakeholder perspectives, and cooperation between Estonia and Slovenia, along with insights from a partner in Murcia. At EARLALL, we strongly believe in the power of interregional learning and knowledge exchange. These videos are a great example of how collaboration can support better education policies across Europe, highlighting how partners work together to foster excellence, inclusion, and innovation in education. 🔗 Explore the Library: https://lnkd.in/dR7ezUSS LeadEx aims to enhance education policies in Europe by fostering excellence, inclusion, and digital innovation, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. Read more about the project here https://lnkd.in/eqGv64w4 #LeadExInterreg

📌Advancing Switzerland’s path towards Erasmus+ Around 300 stakeholders from Switzerland and across Europe gathered in Lugano for the national conference organised by Movetia – Echanges et mobilité, a valued member of the EARLALL network, to discuss the country’s future participation in Erasmus+ and its ambition to associate with the programme by 2027. 🎯Taking place at a pivotal moment—just after the Switzerland–EU package, including Erasmus+ association, entered the parliamentary phase—the conference highlighted how European cooperation can strengthen education systems, mobility, and innovation. Bringing together policymakers, education providers, and experts, discussions underlined that Erasmus+ is more than an educational programme: it is a strategic investment in skills, inclusion, and competitiveness. The added value of mobility, collaboration, and support for learners across all sectors—including disadvantaged groups—was a key theme throughout. The strong engagement from stakeholders across all education levels reflects a shared commitment to reinforcing Switzerland’s role in European education cooperation. If approved by the Parliament, Movetia is set to become the national Erasmus+ agency, further enhancing mobility, exchange, and collaboration within Europe and beyond. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqtANRmb Daniel Plancic Julia Burkhard

EARLALL’s Working Groups on Youth Policy and Lifelong Guidance & Ageing Societies have wrapped up their first 2026 meetings, bringing together regional stakeholders to align on upcoming activities and the 25th Anniversary. 📅 On 12 March, the Working Group on Lifelong Guidance & Ageing Societies (chaired by Andrea Bernert-Bürkle & Camilla Winter) explored future collaborations, highlighted the upcoming #SALAMInterreg peer learning event in Sweden, and reviewed progress within the #LifelongGuidance 5.0 project. Key discussions focused on skills development, micro-credentials, and the role of innovation in career guidance—especially for vulnerable groups. 🎤 Insights from guest speaker Lenita Oderfält shed light on skills validation in Higher Vocational Education and Training, opening new pathways for international cooperation. 📅 On 17 March, the Working Group on Youth Policy (chaired by Miriana Bucalossi) addressed ongoing projects such as #QUEENInterreg and #SKYLAInterreg, alongside key policy developments at the EU level, including initiatives on cyberbullying and intergenerational fairness. The group also reflected on EARLALL’s contribution to the Didacta Italia Fair, fostering dialogue between education, training, and industry stakeholders. 💡 These exchanges continue to strengthen collaboration across regions, supporting innovative and inclusive lifelong learning systems. 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eX-vPYtR

📢 EARLALL at the online WISE Coordination Meeting On 18 March 2026, EARLALL joined partners of the WISE (Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing) ESF+ project to review progress and align on next steps. The meeting highlighted strong progress across activities supporting refugee women from Ukraine in Italy and Bulgaria. From the ongoing Women Rise Programme - providing psychosocial support and strengthening social connections - to mental health services and employment-related actions, partners are continuously adapting to participants’ evolving needs. As communication manager, EARLALL shared the latest results in outreach and dissemination. Looking ahead, partners will focus on collecting impact stories, organising webinars, and preparing for the interim evaluation of the Holistic Support Centre (HSC) model, followed by the final conference in Brussels. We are proud to contribute to WISE’s mission to improve the socio-economic inclusion and wellbeing of Ukrainian refugee women through a holistic, trauma-informed and gender-sensitive approach 💙💛 More details about the meeting read here https://lnkd.in/dPK-qJGt  To know more about HSC model, join WISE stakeholder database https://lnkd.in/eB6NvzhE #WISEProject #WISE International Rescue Committee Italia SkillLab Centro Penc Antropologia e psicologia geoclinica ETS Animus Association Foundation

We are glad to announce the upcoming “Transformations in Career Guidance and Counselling”, taking place within the Erasmus+ funded project #LifelongGuidance 5.0. This conference will bring together career counsellors, educators, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe to explore the rapid changes shaping educational and career guidance, with a special focus on supporting vulnerable groups in evolving labour markets. We are proud to highlight one of the expert speakers: Andrea Bernert-Bürkle (Volkshochschulverband Baden-Württemberg) has extensive experience in the field of guidance and labour market skills intelligence. She will present on collaboration and knowledge exchange to support guidance professionals in navigating labour market transformations. Key topics 🔹 The importance of collaboration to address evolving labour market challenges 🔹 Supporting lifelong learning pathways for clients 🔹 Strengthening guidance practice through shared expertise The conference will offer participants the opportunity to share insights, exchange experiences and discuss the future of career guidance with leading experts in the field. Register and see the programme here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/ecZ48baH