EDU-LAB Project Officially Launched with Kick-Off Conference in Vienna

Opening Sessions and Project Overview

The EDU-LAB project was launched on 1 January 2025 and, following the initial preparatory phase, a two-day kick-off conference was held on 6–7 February 2025 at the premises of the Federation of Austrian Industries in Vienna. Representatives from all eleven partner institutions came together to discuss the details of the work programme prepared in advance and to get to know each other better. The meeting was organised in hybrid mode, allowing the active participation of those few researchers who could not attend in person. This gathering marked the start of a joint commitment to research aimed at improving the transition of young people from education and training to employment across Europe.

The conference opened on with official greetings from representatives of the Economica Institute, Project Officer, ISAB, and other distinguished guests. This was followed by an overview of the project by Dr. Alexander Chvorostov, the project coordinator, who presented key startup considerations and organizational aspects. Additionally, representatives from related initiatives such as NEXT-UP (Leonard Geyer) and VETPREP (Eva Lykkegaard) introduced their projects, fostering synergies between similar European programs.

A highlight of the first day was the keynote speech by Project Officer Sabrina Yaiche, offering a strategic perspective on the project’s direction. The session also included introductions of project teams, allowing for deeper collaboration among participants.

Work Package Presentations and Discussions

The agenda then shifted to in-depth discussions on the key work packages (WPs) that will guide the project’s development:

• WP1 (Modelling of Pathways) and WP2 (Policy and Practice Measures) were introduced and discussed in Session Three, moderated by Dr. Alexander Chvorostov.
• WP3A (Quantitative Data) and WP3B (OSES) were addressed in Session Four, led by Prof. James Williams, focusing on their respective methodologies and implementation plans.

On 7 February, the discussions continued with additional work packages:

• WP4 (Case Studies) and WP5 (Research Synthesis) were presented in Session Five, moderated by Prof. Miriam Gebauer.
• WP6 (Dissemination and Communication) and WP7 (Project and Consortium Management) were covered in Session Six, under the moderation of Prof. Natalia Waechter.

The financial and reporting framework was outlined in Session Seven, featuring a presentation by auditor Hammerschmidt, followed by discussions on financial management.

Future Steps and Conclusion

The conference concluded with a final session led by Prof. Theodor Leiber, addressing open issues, upcoming meetings, and the next phases of the project. The official closure of the Kick-Off Conference set the stage for structured collaboration, with workgroups convening as needed to define immediate action points.

The EDU-LAB project now moves into its first year of implementation, with a clearer roadmap established during this event. Further updates and developments will follow as the project progresses toward its goals.

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