Following the Harnessing Talent, a new boost for EU Regions communication, and the launch of the Harnessing Talent Platform, the European Commission has now launched an open call under the Talent Booster Mechanism.

This pilot project has been created to help regions facing a ‘talent development trap' elaborate, consolidate, develop and implement comprehensive and tailored strategic thinking and an actionable framework, as well as identify relevant projects to train, attract and retain skilled workers.

Who can apply? The 46 pre-identified regions facing an accelerated decline of their working-age population, and a low and stagnant number of people with tertiary education belong to 11 Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Romania. One region will be selected from each Member State. You can find the list of eligible regions in the file attached. 

Territorial scope? NUTS 2 level.

Type of applicants? Regional public administrations, regional development agencies and managing authorities of regional operational programmes. 

Type of support?

• 55 expert days per region
• dedicated strategic roadmap including an action plan.
• analytical paper on specific issues that need deeper analysis (on request)
• exchange on their particular challenges and development vision in the working groups of the Harnessing Talent Platform

How to apply? Express your interest via this EU Survey by 20 October.

More information? See the file attached and on this webpage. 

Extended deadline for applying for the Harnessing Talent Working Groups

The call for joining the Working Groups exploring solutions for addressing common challenges related to demographic change and the decline of the tertiary educated population in the fields of Health, Digital, Research & Innovation and Territorial, has been extended until 22 September. We encourage ERRIN members to apply. 

The European Commission also launched a specific call for Technical Support Instruments to support Member State efforts, at both national and sub-national level, to advance skills development through wide-reaching reforms, open until 31 October 2023.