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Harnessing Talent Platform

Europe's got talent. But talent needs to be nurtured, especially as the EU is going through important demographic transition, as highlighted by the 2023 Report on the Impact of Demographic Change.

In 2023, the European Commission published a Communication on Harnessing Talent in Europe's regions and launched the Talent Booster Mechanism (TBM), aiming to bring a fresh impetus for reskilling and upskilling as the first key initiative to contribute to the  European Year of Skills in 2023. This Mechanism supports EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition. It proposes place based and multi-dimensional solutions, including the use of existing EU funds and initiatives to support regions most affected by the ongoing demographic transition and its side-effects and prevent the emergence of new and increased territorial disparities in the EU.

In this context, the Harnessing Talent Platform (HTP) was created as a knowledge-building and experience-exchange platform which seeks to support regions in addressing the consequences of demographic change and in mitigating the challenges associated with the stagnancy of tertiary educated populations across the EU. The Platform ensures that the most impacted regions receive the guidance, information, and knowledge they need to elaborate, consolidate, develop, and implement tailored and comprehensive strategies to train, attract and retain talents.

Core activities delivered by the Platform:

  • Technical assistance and support on the ground: under Pillar 1 of the TBM, the Platform provides tailored technical assistance to regions facing a talent development trap — characterised by a shrinking workforce and a stagnating tertiary-educated population. Through diagnostic exercises, strategy development and actionable frameworks, regions receive expert support to strengthen their capabilities in talent development and retention. The selected regions for the technical assistance are Alentejo (PT), Campagne-Ardenne (FR), Dél-Dunántúl (HU), Kontinentalna Hrvatska (HR), Łódzkie (PL), Peloponnese (EL), Puglia (IT), Sachsen-Anhalt (DE), Vest (RO), Yugoiztochen (BG) and Moravskoslezsko (CZ). Other support actions on the ground refer to helping regions adapt to demographic change (Pillar 2), Technical Support Instrument (Pillar 3), the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument – I3 (Pillar 4), ‘European Urban Initiative’ – Innovative Actions (Pillar 5) and enhancing data for evidence-based policy making (Pillar 8).
  • HTP Working Groups: the Platform facilitates 4 working groups that bring together regional stakeholders, practitioners, policymakers and experts to explore solutions to common demographic challenges. These groups focus on thematic areas such digital, health, research & innovation and territorial development (in particular urban-rural linkages and quality of life) – supporting peer learning an co-creation across EU regions.
  • Knowledge Repository: it provides an online hub of relevant information and knowledge relating to harnessing talent in Europe’s regions. This knowledge may consist of relevant academic articles, analytical papers and a collection of best practices, which are being produced or collected within the context of the HTP.
  • Events, webinar and workshops: a dedicated space for a comprehensive overview of events, featuring photos, key highlights from the different panels, and access to event recordings and slides.
  • Dedicated Helpdesk for Open Calls: HTP offers a helpdesk to provide guidance and respond to enquiries from regions seeking support. It also promotes opencalls and opportunities for regions and stakeholders to participate in Talent Booster Mechanism activities, technical support projects, and collaborative initiatives.

 

Contact person(s):

Jade Connoly, Alessandra Frassetto, Roberta Dall’Olio

 

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