In October 2025, KMOP held three workshops in Poland, Sweden, and Belgium to address key challenges facing European regions: strengthening the social economy, retaining skilled workers in industrial areas, and improving youth policies in rural communities. More than 60 policymakers and experts took part, exchanging ideas, sharing local solutions, and exploring practical ways to improve policy design and implementation across European regions.
Here’s a closer look at what took place on the ground.
Driving Policy Change for a Stronger Social Economy
In Warsaw, Poland, in 1–2 October, KMOP facilitated a dynamic workshop that supported regional stakeholders in reviewing and improving their Policy Instruments for the social economy. Participants engaged in open dialogue, led by Nancy Zoidou-Saripapa, Researcher at KMOP, on six key areas: visibility, stakeholder engagement, enabling environments, funding and taxation, impact evaluation, and social innovation. The group shared challenges and explored concrete steps to strengthen regional social economy ecosystems.
Read more about how we are strengthening regional policies on social economy across Europe.
Attracting and Retaining Skilled Workers in Industrial Regions
On the same dates in Skellefteå, Sweden, KMOP hosted a workshop focused on workforce policies in industrial growth areas. Pinar Cakiroglu presented how regional authorities can simplify bureaucratic procedures and design more attractive conditions for skilled workers. Stakeholders from seven European regions explored how fair, green, and digital transitions require tailored, place-based strategies to keep talent rooted in their communities.
Fostering Youth Policies for Rural Sustainable Development
On 15-16 October in Brussels, KMOP brough together stakeholders from ten European regional authorities to strengthen policies supporting young people in rural areas. Throughout the workshop, moderated by Rania Dimitriou, Project Manager at KMOP, stakeholders presented tangible policy improvements and good practices. These ranged from digital inclusion initiatives and youth entrepreneurship programmes to innovative educational and employment support tools.
Among the speakers were Ilaria Ramaglioni, Senior Policy officer, Interreg Europe, Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Senior Policy Analyst at the Rural Pact Support Office and Vice-President of LDnet, Adriana Borsellino, Policy Officer at Rural Youth Europe, who offered valuable insights into how multi-level cooperation and youth participation can accelerate rural innovation and sustainability.
Read more about how we’re working to improve youth policies for sustainable rural development.
Are you interested in other areas we’re currently working to strengthen regional policies?
Explore how KMOP is also:
- Advancing community- and family-based care models
- Building skills for SMEs succession and transfer
- Promoting gender equality in the blue economy
- Empowering public authorities in inclusive social procurement
- Utilizing community sport to boost health resilience
For further information contact us at [email protected].