UzhNU Team Holds Working Meeting within the Erasmus+ RURALSKILLS Project

Today, the team of Uzhhorod National University held a working meeting within the framework of the international Erasmus+ project Ruralskills – empowering rural communities through vocational training, digital innovation and sustainable development (RURALSKILLS) 2025-1-IT01-KA220-VET-000364404.

During the meeting, participants discussed the next stages of project implementation, including the development of a publication schedule, stakeholder mapping in the Transcarpathian region, and preparation for a series of interviews aimed at identifying current skills gaps, training barriers and labour market needs in rural communities.

The RURALSKILLS project is designed to strengthen vocational education and training in rural areas through innovative and inclusive approaches aligned with European Union priorities in digitalisation, the green transition and lifelong learning. By combining a comprehensive needs assessment with modern educational tools and collaborative digital platforms, the initiative seeks to empower rural communities, reduce unemployment and foster sustainable local economic development.

Particular attention during the meeting was devoted to the preparation of field research in the Transcarpathian region. The UzhNU team will conduct interviews with local stakeholders, representatives of vocational education providers, community leaders and policy makers. This stage is crucial for ensuring that future training programmes on digital skills, green skills and entrepreneurship respond to real regional needs and correspond to the European Skills Agenda and CEDEFOP projections.

The project also foresees the development of inclusive vocational training programmes using XR based gamified tools, the creation of digital learning platforms for youth, women and low skilled individuals, and the promotion of sustainable education in areas such as smart agriculture, renewable energy and the circular economy.

The project is coordinated by Fondazione Fenice Onlus in Italy, with partners from Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovakia and Ukraine. The overall project duration is from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027, with a total grant of 250 000 EUR, of which 28 120 EUR is allocated to Uzhhorod National University.

The meeting confirmed the University’s active engagement in international cooperation and its commitment to supporting sustainable development and employability in rural communities through innovative vocational education solutions.

Anastasiya Lendel

Information and publishing centre

• International Activities