On the 3rd and 4th of June, the entire COOPSKILLS partnership came together for a dynamic two-day meeting at the NOESIS Science Center and Technology Museum, located in Thermi, Greece. The meeting was filled with strategic decisions that will shape the next phases of the project. Partners had the opportunity to exchange ideas and align their efforts for the successful implementation of Learning Companies and Reskilling Labs across Europe. The inspiring setting of NOESIS provided the perfect backdrop for innovation, learning, and partnership-building.
On the first day of the COOPSKILLS transnational meeting in Thermi, the consortium kicked off with a warm welcome from the host and a round of introductions from all project partners, reinforcing the strong sense of collaboration at the heart of the initiative. The agenda then moved into the working phase, focusing on the best practices and roadmap for raising awareness and implementing the “Reskilling Labs” methodology. The discussions that followed helped build a clear, shared understanding of the project’s key ideas and offered a better picture of the work and priorities for the months ahead. The meeting continued with conversations revolving around the way in which “Reskilling Labs” can function in practice, bridging theory with local implementation.
After a light lunch which allowed the partners to engage in more personal conversations so as to get to know each other better, the group reconvened to dive into designing content for skills development, career guidance, and mentoring. But before all this, the consortium engaged in a 20-minute-long session of games in order to loosen up and feel more at ease. The day concluded with an open discussion, paving the way for smooth coordination in the next stages of COOPSKILLS.
To conclude this highly productive day, the partners gathered for a well-deserved dinner in the heart of Thessaloniki, just across from the city’s iconic White Tower, to bond over local delicacies and inspiring conversations. The relaxed setting offered everyone the chance to relax and strengthen personal connections.
The second day began with the partnership continuing their work on project management and dissemination processes and concluded with finalizing the dates of our next in-person meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania. Once it was evident that everyone had a clear understanding of the steps needed to carry out the project’s activities, our generous hosts, the Municipality of Thermi, surprised everyone with a sweet treat and a thoughtful gift to commemorate our first gathering.
Our first transnational meeting was, without a doubt, a great success. It was marked by productive discussions, strong collaboration, and a shared commitment to the project’s goals. Partners left Thermi with renewed motivation and a concrete action plan for the following months. Most importantly, the interaction amongst themselves helped build trust between partners, laying a strong foundation for effective cooperation throughout the COOPSKILLS journey.
The partnership would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful hosts, the Municipality of Thermi, for setting the bar high for our future meetings.
