In a world where rapid change is reshaping the way we live and work, lifelong learning has never been more important. COOPSKILLS (COOPeration of public and private players to reskill and upSKILL workerS) is our Erasmus+ project that embraces this reality, aiming to create stronger, more resilient communities by transforming the way we think about education, skills, and employment. Over the course of 36 months, twelve partner organisations from Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Lithuania, and Spain are working together to build a future where learning is embedded into every level of local life—from the individual worker to the broader municipality.
At the heart of the project is a bold and innovative concept: the “Learning Companies.” Inspired by UNESCO’s “Learning Cities” framework, COOPSKILLS brings this vision into the private sector. Learning Companies are workplaces that place education and skill development at their core. They treat every day on the job as an opportunity to grow, upskill, and adapt. This model encourages businesses to become active agents of lifelong learning, offering continuous training and development to their employees in ways that are directly aligned with the evolving demands of the green and digital economy.
To support the creation of Learning Companies, COOPSKILLS is also establishing a network of Reskilling Labs, coordinated at the municipal level. These labs are designed as local hubs of learning and career development, where people can gain new skills, update existing ones, and receive tailored support to re-enter or thrive in the workforce. The labs are not stand-alone centres but part of a collaborative ecosystem, managed by municipalities, vocational education and training providers, chambers of commerce, and business associations. Together, they create a sustainable local structure for reskilling that responds directly to labour market needs.
The main beneficiaries of the project are workers in transition, unemployed and inactive individuals—especially those who come from sectors in decline and are most at risk of exclusion from the new economy. Particular attention is given to those who may be low-skilled or hesitant to return to formal education later in life. By offering alternative, flexible and practical learning pathways, COOPSKILLS opens doors for people who have often been left behind. But the benefits of the project go far beyond individual learners. Businesses are supported in becoming more agile and innovative. Local authorities gain tools to foster inclusive development. Educational providers build stronger links to the labour market. And entire communities become more connected, empowered, and future-ready.
COOPSKILLS is more than a skills training initiative. It is a movement toward embedding lifelong learning into the DNA of local economies. It recognises that resilience and progress depend on people who are equipped not just with the right tools, but with the confidence and support to keep learning and growing throughout their lives. By rethinking how we deliver learning—and where—it helps close the gap between those who have access to opportunities and those who don’t.
This is what makes COOPSKILLS a great project. It brings together innovation, inclusion, and collaboration to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: preparing our communities for a future that is green, digital, and inclusive. Join our journey as we build stronger, smarter, and more inclusive communities through lifelong learning and empowered workplaces.
