A virtual get-together is organised by Cedefop on 29 September 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 (CET) bringing together policy-makers, social partners, researchers, education and training experts, and industry representatives to explore the growing role of microcredentials in supporting lifelong learning and skills development. The programme will highlight findings from ongoing Cedefop research on microcredentials, focusing on the following on the sector of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) as well as construction, and will aim to advance understanding of how microcredentials can respond to labour market needs, enhance access to learning opportunities and promote social inclusion. Register to the online discussion here.

Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, acts as a bridge between data producers, users and policymakers to strengthen the discussion on adult learning. It contributes to this work by: -  using existing data provided by the wider international statistical infrastructure to monitor and report on key indicators on VET and policy developments, and conducting the Centre’s own analysis and research to support policies related to adult education; - developing and organising surveys to answer questions that existing data do not sufficiently cover, in order to respond to policy needs or the Centre’s research questions; - contributing to improving the data already collected by Eurostat and the OECD. The seminar intends to constitute an avenue for presentations and discussions of work, ideas, needs and developments, as well as for exchanges, mutual learning and networking opportunities. Call for abstracts is open until 15 May 2026

In the past few months, negotiations have been underway to define the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the European Union for the 2028-2034 programming period. Within this frame, EURASHE and partners are organising a discussion on the capacity of the MFF to address local challenges in the EU, and whether sufficient attention is being paid to the development of place-based policies. The event is taking place as a side event of the European Week of Regions and Cities, co-organised with Friends for Smart Specialisation (FoSS) and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). This event will ask three important and interrelated questions:

• What are the benefits to Europe as a whole if EU spending is responsive to differences across Europe’s economic geography?
• What are the dangers of place-blind policies to the cohesion of the Union in an age of increasingly territorial polarisation?
• Which elements of the MFF are most needed to respond to differences between places and ensure cities and regions are harnessed to meet the EU’s objectives?

Registration opens on 15th September and capacity is limited.

Organised by Eurostat and Cedefop, the workshop will bring together representatives of National Statistical Institutes (NSIs), ICEs, researchers and developers on 19–20 October at Cedefop’s premises in Thessaloniki. The event will explore the latest trends in European labour market demand as reflected in online job advertisements (OJAs) and other relevant sources.

Discussions will focus on key aspects of the project, including the representativeness of OJAs in relation to vacancies in European labour markets; the assessment of existing web sources and identification of new ones; methods for improving the quality of collected data in near real time; and emerging trends in demand for new roles across the EU27 Member States, EFTA countries and the UK. Participants will also further examine the contribution of EURES vacancy data and discuss technical aspects of data collection, processing and analysis.

The workshop aims to take stock of current project developments, identify priority areas for improving OJA collection and classification pipelines, and generate insights through cross-country comparisons of the data and their representativeness of national labour markets. It will also provide an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between Eurostat, Cedefop, EURES and the NSIs.

Participation in the event is possible by invitation only.

Die Europass Stakeholder Veranstaltung 2026 bietet den Rahmen, um die Potentiale von Microcredentials sowie digitalen Kompetenznachweisen in der europäischen – und vor allem in der österreichischen Berufsbildung zu diskutieren. Durch Fachinputs, Diskussionen und Praxisbeispiele werden Chancen, Herausforderungen und mögliche Umsetzungspfade aufgezeigt. Ziel ist es, ein gemeinsames Verständnis zu fördern und ein klareres Bild davon zu gewinnen, wie Microcredentials und European Digital Credentials for Learning (EDC) die Berufsbildung der Zukunft – besonders im Hinblick auf den Fachkräftemangel und Skills Gap - unterstützen können. Karin Luomi-Messerer hält die Einführung unter dem Titel "Microcredentials in Europa – Wo stehen wir bei der Umsetzung?" und nimmt an der Podiumsdiskussion teil.