"Context:The quality of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in technical fields at European level means a competitiveness leverage in the international context. European VET schools have a good performance and a strong tradition - however, the key competences have to be maintained and developed. The speed-up of technological development is a challenge for the young VET students, while the development of the textile industry needs well prepared specialists in multidisciplinary fields. In correlation with these facts, the Skills4Smartex project was centered on improving knowledge, skills and employability of VET students in the STEM related fields, by providing adequate training instruments to understand multidisciplinary working.Objectives:Obj1: Performing of a Guide for smart practices meant for supporting innovation in textile enterprises.Obj2: Performing a course in smart textiles, meant for multidisciplinary thinking.Obj3: Performing a dedicated e-learning instrument, meant for channeling the interest of VET students for ""serious games"".Obj4: Improving the skills of VET students by means of practical work in constructing a smart textile prototype.Type and profile of participants:The partnership reflected a very well-balanced distribution of activities and responsibilities: two research institutes (INCDTP = coordinator, TZU), three universities (Ghent University, University of Maribor, Technical University Iasi) and one training / technology transfer center (TecMinho, interface of the University of Minho), from 5 countries with great importance for the textile industry in Europe: Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia.Main activities and results: (O1) A Guide for smart practices with the current and envisaged situation in technical and smart textiles, based on a survey activity with 63 textile enterprises, multiplied within multiplier events for 200 young professionals in textiles. (O2) A Course in smart textiles with 56 modules on three criteria: from theory to practice and vice-versus, on 7 chapters of manufacturing technology for smart textiles and on four basic STEM disciplines. Please consult the modules with open access at the URL: http://skills4smartex.eu/instrument.php. (O3) A Dedicated e-learning instrument and an e-learning platform with the following main functionalities: - for the instrument: PHP filter-based access on the 56 modules and a simple attractive interface;- for the platform: 6 Moodle e-learning courses in national languages of the project (CZ, DU, EN, PT, RO, SI), with the modules in Book format, 420 multiple choice tests in Quiz format and 28 embedded PPT presentations. Creation of 200 new Moodle user accounts for e-learning courses, URL: http://www.advan2tex.eu/portal/. (E1-E6) Organization of 14 multiplier events with 200 participants and 89 feed-back questionnaires stating option of transfer for best practices, on partnership level, for multiplying the three IOs. The events were organized either virtually or face-to-face due to pandemic restrictions. (C1-C6) Organization of 11 courses with 262 VET students in virtual, blended or classroom format, with support of smart textile prototypes and the e-learning platform.(C7-C8) Organization of two Joint staff events: creation of smart textile prototypes on three levels of complexity for educational purposes and a methodology for VET students. Achievement of an unitary concept of the 56 modules.The following dissemination results were achieved at partnership level:- Leaflets/ e-mails to inform about 300 stakeholders;- 6 Promotional posters / roll-ups in each partner’s language and English; - 37 papers published in scientific revues or conference proceedings;- 34 Posters presented at events (exhibition, trade fairs, invention fairs etc.);- 16 standard PowerPoint presentation template for the project;- 12 announcements via social media posts;- 8 posts on partner’s website with up-to-date information; Impact attainedImpact was ensured for the 262 VET students by the attractive concept of the Course and its related e-learning instrument with filter to access the 56 modules, as well as the Moodle e-learning platform with courses in 6 languages and the work with the smart textile prototypes. The project partners supported as well the textile enterprises’ 200 young professionals by means of new instruments and training methods. The 89 feed-back questionnaires showed the preferences of best practices in smart and technical textiles to be transferred. The enlarged target group was impacted by the 107 dissemination activities. Longer-term benefitsThe main sustainable output of Skills4Smartex, the e-learning instrument and platform, will be hosted on the INCDTP server even after project’s end and will further support the textile world-of-work in improving innovation and training."

The textile industry in Europe faces big challenges for qualified personnel and requires implementation of new research results. In order to keep their competitive advantage, textile enterprises have to focus on innovation. The gap between modern requirements at the workplace and the current skills of young apprentices has to be bridged by up-to-date educational materials. The Knowledge Matrix for Innovation (KMI) is a management instrument for quantifying the intangible assets of an enterprise. It is used to describe the assets of an enterprise. The project’s main aim is to increase the capacity of innovation and training in textile enterprises, by defining and implementing the KMI.Objectives:1. Development of work-based training envisaging key competences both to employers and employees in the textile field;2. Improving the innovation capacity and training methodology of textile enterprises with the support of research providers;3. Fostering use of ICT in innovation process within textile enterprises;4. Improving the strategic cooperation between research providers and enterprises in textiles at transnational level.The consortium of the project tackling these objectives, reflects a very well-balanced distribution of activities and responsibilities. There are two research institutes (INCDTP = coordinator, Centrocot) and two universities (University Maribor, Technical University Iasi) and one training / technology transfer center (TecMinho), from 4 countries with important contribution to the textile industry in Europe: Italy, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia.The project’s consortium undertook the following main activities:1.The KMI was defined, processed and adapted for textile enterprises. The structure of the KMI consists of Elements, Criteria and Factors on one dimension and of Conditions, Resources, Activities and Results on the second dimension. Thus, the project partners carefully prepared and synthesized the 52 Factors of the KMI. 2.The KMI was transformed into a Benchmarking questionnaire (BMQ) and the partners conducted the benchmarking activity by receiving questionnaires from 64 enterprises from the 4 partner countries both in online and written format.3.A Benchmarking report on European / partnership level as well as 4 Benchmarking reports on national level were prepared with the comparative situation to the European average. Moreover, dedicated reports for each participating enterprise were issued with the comparative situation to the European and National average (this outcome was not initially foreseen).4.A SWOT analysis was conducted to the Benchmarking report on European level and based on the identified Opportunities and they provided a number of 35 project’s solutions. The link between Opportunities and Solutions was performed by a cluster table. Moreover, an entire Guide with new solutions was prepared in all partner’s languages (IT, PT, RO and SI) and English, including the modules:Elements specific to innovationInstruments for supporting and promoting innovationInnovation based on scientific results (project solutions)Legislative framework for protecting innovation5.The e-learning tool with all these OER was implemented with the URL address www.advan2tex.eu/portal . The Moodle platform includes special customized e-learning courses in all partner’s languages and 658 user accounts. 6.Five blended courses and five multiplier events (one by each partner) were organized and unfolded for ensuring a proper impact to the envisaged target group, based on the performed outcomes. The results attained were:•199 stakeholders in textiles prepared within multiplier events (instead of 100 initially foreseen);•137 young trainees in textiles prepared within blended courses (instead of 95 initially foreseen);•64 textile enterprises involved within the Benchmarking activity (instead of 50 initially foreseen);•One new Erasmus+ / strategic partnership project proposal won in the 2018 competition. The impact of the project was achieved on five levels:1.Upon participants from the textile industry (stakeholders): a number of 19 textile enterprises interested in the project solutions and improved links research-industry;2.Upon young trainees: 36 trainees counseled for their career path and 16 trainees intending to follow a job in textiles or related fields; 3.Upon participating organizations: improved project management skills and cooperation relationships;4.Upon the dissemination target group: 23 papers in scientific magazines and conference proceedings, 29 PPT presentations at events, 20 poster presentations at fairs, 24 posts in newsletters and press releases, 26 links to social media networks and 44 other presentations at info days, symposia, cluster meetings etc. 5.Upon project’s website visitors (599 different users with 730 sessions) and e-learning tool visitors (620 different users with 1922 sessions).

<< Objectives >>Project will contribute to innovative youth work approaches and methodologies for engaging youth with migrant backgrounds in educational and practical activities for the development of entrepreneurial opportunities and patenting innovative ideas and approaches. Capacities of partners for development and delivering innovative methodologies in work with youth with migrant background will be raised and will continue to be actively improved even after the project, through continuous hubs' activities<< Implementation >>Partners will collect data on situation concerning entrepreneurial opportunities for migrants, open 6 educational hubs, ensure functioning of the hubs through developed guidebooks for organisations and individuals, and provide educational training for 30 youth workers. Furthermore, additional materials and online courses will be developed as part of the education and information hubs offer to youth migrants. Finally, consistent dissemination will be implemented throughout the project.<< Results >>Project will result in 6 educational hubs for entrepreneurship and patent education of youth migrants across 5 partner countries, which will continue to function after the project - as part of the partners' daily activities. Educational materials (for education and implementation) for developing similar approach and implementing it, will be developed and shared with any interested third party. Stories, documentary and online course will be developed as part of educational materials within hubs.

ENATRANS’ main objective is to network and support SMEs in translation of nanomedicine in Europe by providing a one-stop-shop service to interact and share information, experience and advice with up-to-date information and interactive tools, but also enabling personal contacts. To be successful SMEs need to understand the requirements of the complex ecosystem made up of regulatory and reimbursement agencies, as well as the requirements of large industrial companies and clinical needs. ENATRANS will gather and provide information about approval processes, regulatory authorities and agencies, clinical and market data, and specific nanomedicine value chain analysis, relevant SME support projects and organisations. ENATRANS will convert this critical information in dedicated learning programs and tools dedicated to translation of nanomedicine. ENATRANS aims at implementing the concept of a Translation Advisory Board (TAB) as central element of the ETPN White Paper. A TAB will be set-up with senior experienced translation experts to guide R&D teams (in SMEs and research institutes) along the translation process to successfully make it to clinical trials and later to the market. Promising projects identified and supported by the TAB need access to clinical centers for first studies in patients, which are able to handle the specificity of new nanotechnology based therapeutics. In addition, financial resources are needed to go pass the regulatory and scale-up processes, which often require funding from investors and/or large companies. ENATRANS will build bridges to clinical trial centers, investors and large companies. Promising projects need guidance to successfully master privileged contacts with the medical, the business or the investment community. ENATRANS will deliver special coaching sessions prior to showcasing of promising projects. Partners in ENATRANS are VDI/VDE-IT, Nanobiotix, CEA, bioanalytik-muenster, Tel Aviv University, Fondazione Don Gnocchi, TecMinho.