Conference Industrial Technologies and Materials for Sustainable Europe is planned in Krakow on June 2-4, 2025 as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will be organized by the Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences (IGSMiE PAN), the Division of Strategic Research, and Malopolska Voivodship (MV). Major topics and themes will be consulted with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which will also participate in event funding. The scope will cover aspects of sustainable industrial technologies and materials. It will be organized as a cyclical flagship event of the European Union - EUIndTech2025. Under the program of Horizon Europe‘s cluster 4: “Digital, Industry and Space”, the conference will mobilize key players worldwide around the theme of the industrial technologies of tomorrow, gathering stakeholders from scientific and research units, industrial companies, start-ups, European partnerships, administrative bodies and NGOs. EUIndTech2025 will focus on increasing the competitiveness and resilience of the EU industry and its transformation, having regard to the most important strategic developments in the area of manufacturing, net-zero industry, critical raw materials and advanced materials.

"CONTEXT: The project EUBILD-UNAKLIM has been launched in the context of European requirements and guidelines for the implementation of environmental and climate objectives, including the Europe 2020 Strategy, Mobility Strategy 2020 for the European Higher Education Area and the European Education and Training Strategy 2020.By developing a European educational concept for adults in the field of environmental, nature and climate protection, the participating partners contribute and support the climate and energy goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy.By focusing the project on the target group of the unemployed, it aims to put the European target of 75% of the population, aged 20-64, into jobs and reduce poverty. Adult education as lifelong learning plays an increasing role. Environmental and climate protection is a complex issue that only works across borders.OBJECTIVES: The aim of the project was to develop a cross-border training concept for unemployed with basic skills to successfully acquire further knowledge in this field. The European approach enables to participate more flexibly in the international labor market and integrate environmental aspects more strongly.PROJECT PARTNERS: 5 partners from 4 countries: Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania formed the consortium, including 2 NGOs, 2 universities and a research institute.MAIN ACTIVITIES:- Preparation of country-specific research and documentation of education and job offers in the four countries.- Providing questionnaires for companies and training centers and a survey of at least 400 participants per country- Comprehensive statistical evaluations of the surveys and comparison with previously developed hypotheses- A curriculum on the basis of the researches and polls- Sample teaching letters on selected topics concerning renewable energies, Photovoltaic and geothermal energy on the basis of the curriculum- Examples and computations for a model experiment Practical work on a photovoltaic plant of the Romanian partner- Online tools for the development of an e-learning platform, using the the developed materials- Implementation of a summer school on the topics mentioned- A test-run-concept- 3 multiplier events with thematic excursions- 5 project partner meetings- A project website- Distribution of 3 project newsletters- Participation at conferences, events and fairs to present our project- Publication of project results in the trade pressACHIEVED RESULTS AND IMPACTRESULTS:OUTPUT 1: STUDIES:Country-specific studies concerning adult education in this field and on the ""green jobs market"", prepared by the partners and translated as a joint study into the 4 national languages and published on the project homepage. In two further studies, the surveys were statistically evaluated and compared separately for companies (economic interests), for educational institutions/funding agencies (educational interests), measured against our hypotheses and compared with other countries.OUTPUT 2: CURRICULUM:A jointly developed curriculum for an advanced training course, developed on the basis of modules including key qualifications, taking into account the results of the studies, implying a European internship promoting the exchange of experiences.OUTPUT 3: MODEL LETTERS ON SELECTED SUBJECTS OF REGENERATIVE ENERGIES, PHOTOVOLTAIC AND GEOTHERMIES:The teaching letters are based on the curriculum and published in the 4 languages on our homepage as a basis for the e-learning platform.OUTPUT 4: E-LEARNING PLATFORMThe developed teaching letters, curriculum and solar compendium for practical test facilities are freely accessible on the online platform.OUTPUT 5: PRACTICAL COMPENDIUM for fieldwork with a photovoltaic system as practical reference to applied learning.IMPACT- Enhanced knowledge for the partners, stakeholders and through the public provision of the Results in 5 languages for a broad stakeholder group benefiting Europe-wide.- Determination of the situation and the need for further training in that field as an argumentation aid for more support and development of further education offers in this field in Europe for strengthening competences- Knowledge transfer between European countries- Strengthening the integration of environmental issues in education, business and politics- Extension of the European networks of partners, stakeholders and interested parties- Achieving more employment in that field- The curricula and learning materials can be used Europe-wide as a basis for the development of adult education,- Greater awareness on the part of companies, society, the public at large for environmental and climate issues and changing patterns of behavior, to achieve the European climate change targets- Through our online e-learning program in further adult education even more people can take part."

MOOC-2-PRAC-4-UNAKLIM: „From Massive Open Online Course to Practice for Environmental-, Nature- and Climate Protection with 4 Consortium Countries: Creation Courses in Environmental Topics using Blended Learning”OBJECTIVEMOCC-2-PRAC-4-UNAKLIM, the cross border massive open online course targets adult learning. Its topics are “green”, e.g. environmental topics, renewable energies and others. Cross cutting modules are environmental project management, international communication, biological-natural modelling, simulation or basic STEM courses. We act in the context of Furthering Education Adult Training, Digital Learning, environmental topics. Unemployed adults shall improve their reintegration chances into the labor market. Principle is Open Access Digital Learning. A variety of courses is offered and can be combined in modules to gain certificates. Several certificates can be combined into a degree. Participants learn independent of geographical location, time of the day and at their own speed. An innovative training concept (Handbook and Tool Kit) to upskill MOOC trainers will make the course interactive, lively to prevent premature dropout. Potential trainers can download it for free. In a Train-The-Trainer-workshop we test it before Handbook and Tool Kit go public.We add a Blended Learning Tool Kit, face-to-face exercises, in seminar rooms (communication, leadership, Project Management), laboratories (chemical, biological analyses), assembly halls (i.e. building solar panels), in the field (i.e. water and soil sampling). The Tool Kit enables trainers to select experiments based on individual needs.5 PARTICIPANTS of 4 countries Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania cooperate, among them 2 NGOs, 2 Universities and 1 Research Institution. Hochschule Anhalt: coordinator, focus biomedical engineering, renewable energies, digital applications. ubb eV.: focus on social and environmental projects. Polip: NGO, focus on young people education, entrepreneurial topics: Oradea University, focus on geography and Digital Learning, MEERI PAS: the Polish Academy of Science, focus on geothermal and renewable energies.ACTIVITIES•MOOC design with structures, functions•Input of “green” topics•Innovative training methods Concept for MOOC Digital Learning•Train-The-Trainer concept, Handbook,Tool Kit, Test in a TTT course•Blended Learning Concept, Handbook, Tool Kit.2 Multiplier Events and 4 Transnational Meetings are planned. A Marketing concept and Sustainability & Exploitation Plan will determine the MOOC’s future after funding. FURTHER ACTIVITIES ARE a project website, partner meetings, newsletters, excursions, disseminations.METHODIC MANAGEMENT COMPONENTS•Project Management Office (PMO), steering group•Meetings, minutes, quality circle, project review •General Assembly•Stakeholder Advisory BoardTOOLS TO ENSURE PROJECT PROGRESS: Null-Hundred-Method, Task & Allocation Table, Gantt-Chart, Critical Path Analysis, Milestone Trend Analysis, Report templates, communication strategy, Responsibility Matrix.PROJECT RESULTS are DISSEMINATED by email, blogs, websites, Twitter, Facebook, networks, conferences, publications, fairs, on local, regional, national and international level – by digital, paper, shared on EPALE and Erasmus Results Platform.EXPECTED RESULTS•MOOC server with courses, modules, test and module recommendation, participant network platform•Innovative Training Handbook•TTT Handbook•Blended Learning Handbook•Newsletter IMPACT ON TARGET GROUPS ON LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL Enhanced expertise, mutual learning, knowledge transfer in an international environment. Multiplier events and dissemination activities create attention of local, regional and national public, create synergies and strengthen the participating organizations and the local regions.•Consortium: sharpened profile, improved self-esteem, scientific upskill•Participants, end users: knowledge upskill, better qualification, work mobility, better jobs, less poverty•Trainers: upskill to digital and blended courses•Institutions: knowledge upskill, visibility, networks•Politicians: decisions support by sharing new knowledgeLONG TERM BENEFIT AND IMPACT IN EUROPE AND BEYONDMore green networks in remote regions, better international cooperation and adult learning quality, increased cross-border knowledge and people mobility, reduced European expert shortage, stronger European competitiveness, new job opportunities in Europe and worldwide, less poverty, better inclusion of the unemployed into society, more green jobs, contribution to European Climate Protection Targets.We comply with UN Sustainability Goals and support the Mobility Strategy 2020 for European Higher Education Area, European inventory on validation of non-formal / informal learning 2014, EPALE strategies, European Education&Training Strategy 2020. Europe 2020 Strategy Climate&Energy Targets, National Digital Agendas.

BACKGROUNDThe decarbonisation of the EU27 is expected to result in the loss of ~76k workers’ jobs in coal mines & plants until 2025 (154k until 2030). Partnership countries (GR, DE, AT, RO, BG, PL) will be particularly affected, currently representing 81% of the total EU coal workforce (190k). At the same time, a surge of jobs in the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector is already happening and expected to continue and perhaps grow.RESKILLING OPPORTUNITIES Due to similar skillset, coal workers are ideally fitted for covering unfilled positions in the RES sector. The skills of coal workers (e.g. durability in hazardous environments, employment of manual & sophisticated technologies) are sought after in the solar photovoltaic (PV) & wind industries, being particularly transferable to the occupations of solar PV installer/technician & wind-farm/wind turbine technician. Thus, coal workers can avoid the lengthy training (~2 years) currently on offer by existing VET courses, requiring only a short course or on-the-job training.CHALLENGEVET education & the labour market are expected to be challenged by a) the spike of coal workers seeking reemployment in the near future, b) the surge in unfiled positions in RES. Reskilling initiatives for the transition of coal workers to the RES sector are currently extremely limited, with only 1 EU country offering relevant C-VET courses (DE; ~2,5 years degree).Job demand in the EU27 RES sector is growing by 304k new jobs/year until 2030 – 60% expected in wind & 24% in solar PV. In particular, the supply of new RES sector jobs in partnership countries could absorb up to 90% of current coal-related jobs. For example, DE, PL & GR are leading on offshore wind potential; certain DE coal regions have the highest potentially induced employment for wind energy (~16k new jobs) & rooftop-mounted solar PV systems (~3k). PROJECT OBJECTIVESRES-SKILL aims to strengthen VET provision in the energy sector aimed at coal workers for compatible RES sector jobs, to increase their reemployment opportunities & cover at the same time RES sector’s skills demand. The project’s specific objectives are to:1. Develop a novel curriculum & tailored training content to facilitate coal workers’ reorientation to the RES industry.2. Support VET providers to integrate the RES-SKILL materials into their VET & WBL offerings.3. Improve cooperation between VET providers & businesses to provide opportunities that will enable coal workers to transition to the RES sector.PARTNERSHIPThe consortium comprises 11 organisations (6 partners plus 5 associated partners backing the project) with high capacity & qualifications from 6 coal-intensive countries (GR, DE, AT, RO, BG, PL), representing the fields of VET, learning innovation, policymaking & research. PROMEA is a leader in designing innovative learning methodologies & tools for VET education & EU projects, with involvement in decarbonisation projects. RENAC & BFI have world-class experience in designing & delivering training curricula for the RES sector; LTT is experienced in retraining low-skilled workers from extractive industries. SZREDA is actively involved in job reorientation activities in regional coal value chains; MEERI is a leading EU education institution in coal & clean energy management. Also, PROMEA, SZREDA, LTT, MEERI have strong ties with and/or represent ‘Coal regions in transition’.ACTIVITIES-Identification of skill complementarities & mismatches between coal & RES sector workers’ occupational profiles, leading to the development of learning outcomes-Development of a novel curriculum to facilitate coal workers’ reorientation to the RES industry-Creation of tailored pedagogical materials, offered as Open Education Resources (OERs)-Development of transition profiles, self-assessment tools & skills portfolios to promote customised learning & career reorientation-Development of resources for the establishment of Joint Competence Centres for the career reorientation of coal workers-Communication & dissemination of outputs through multiplier eventsRESULTS -Learning outcomes for coal workers’ career reorientation -Learning units, career reorientation toolkit & guidelines to implement successful transitions-Open Educational Resources in 6 languages-Strategic & operational plans for the establishment of Joint Competence Centres-Pilot run of a Joint Competence Centre for career reorientation & reskilling-6 national info-days to promote project results & public discussion on increasing the quality & effectiveness of VET for coal workers.POST-PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY-Uptake of OERs from relevant VET providers across the EU-Uptake of the RES-SKILL toolkit & resources for the set-up of Joint Competence Centres by career reorientation actors -Participation of a growing number of coal workers in courses based on / integrating project outputs

Numerous attempts of implementing transition pathways across Europe illustrate the difficulty of designing policies that combine efficient climate action and justice considerations. One reason is that the socially diverse, and thus also geographically dispersed demands and vulnerabilities of potentially affected groups do not appear as a well-structured input at any stage of the policy-making process. Therefore, TANDEM will test an innovative transdisciplinary approach in five different case studies in Spain, Belgium, Finland, Poland and Austria that address controversial transition policies in energy and mobility affecting urban and rural populations. The TANDEM project aims to design a methodology allowing policy makers to create and implement inclusive and just transition pathways by involving potentially affected citizens, public authorities, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders. It relies on combination of accessible and complementary methods: deliberative visioning build on art-based approaches, system mapping, assessment and appraisal methods. These methods constitute the backbone of a series of three deliberation panels with citizens. In these panels TANDEM invites participants to create their visions, perspectives and narratives on just transition policies and to define their own criteria and interventions. This deliberation process will guide a systemic impact assessment that will inform individual appraisals of the interventions. Public authorities will be involved at the beginning and end of each panel to provide insights on political, social and economic factors that should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, private companies will be invited to participate through interviews and surveys. TANDEM will thus develop a transdisciplinary approach to identify and analyse emerging inequalities of low-carbon transition policies, as well as to co-design socially fair and effective alternative transition pathways with stakeholders.