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/Kick-Off Meeting for the ISABEL Project Held in Thessaloniki

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On January 14-15, 2025, the inaugural meeting of the ISABEL project was successfully held in Thessaloniki, Greece. The meeting was hosted by the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), the project coordinator, and brought together representatives from nine collaborating organizations across Europe.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation and synergy among the partners. The ISABEL project consortium includes renowned institutions such as the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the University of Western Macedonia (UOWM), the University of Silesia in Katowice (US), the University of Warwick (IER), the University of Oviedo (UO), the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade (UB), Progressus Research & Counselling I.K.E. (PROG), the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia (RDF), and the Municipality of Kalundborg (KLB).

During the two-day event, the partners examined the project’s objectives, with a focus on addressing the social and geographical inequalities caused by the green transition in Europe. The discussions centered on implementing advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to support retraining, mitigate job losses, and foster the creation of new jobs in a fair and balanced manner.

Key Discussions and Proposals

The first day was dedicated to partner presentations, where each organization outlined its expertise and role within the project. The scientific approach of ISABEL was presented, with particular emphasis on Work Package 6, which focuses on Living Labs in six different regions, led by the University of Western Macedonia. The day laid the groundwork for a shared understanding of ISABEL’s goals, methodologies, and expected outcomes.

On the second day, the consortium analyzed all Work Packages and proceeded with strategic planning, setting timelines, responsibilities, and milestones.

Next Steps

The partners identified the following immediate next steps:

• Data collection from the NUTS2 regions of the EU, the United Kingdom, and Serbia.
• Initiation of primary research in six focus countries: Denmark, Greece, Poland, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Spain.
• Establishment of Living Labs to launch pilot projects focusing on local retraining initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all partners to work collaboratively towards the ambitious goals of the ISABEL project.

The Role of ENTRA-Lab

ENTRA-Lab plays a significant role in the ISABEL project. As a research laboratory with high expertise in Just Transition issues in Greece, ENTRA-Lab will contribute to the creation of a Job Creation and Loss Observatory (JCD), data analysis, research dissemination, and the development of innovative solutions using Artificial Intelligence.

The inaugural meeting not only set the project in motion but also established a solid foundation for future collaboration. Partners left Thessaloniki with a clear action plan and a shared enthusiasm for the transformative work ahead.

Stay tuned to the ENTRA-Lab website for regular updates on the progress and developments of the ISABEL project. To learn more about the project, click here.

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