One of the key objectives of the CARES project is to support professionals working in the care sector, promote their mental well-being, and contribute to the development of more sustainable and attractive working environments. Through training programmes, self-learning resources, mentoring opportunities, and capacity-building activities, the project seeks to strengthen the skills and resilience of care workers while helping them address the challenges they encounter in their daily work.

The first Online Policy Lab organised within the CARES project highlighted that many European countries face similar challenges. Participants identified workforce retention, burnout prevention, professional recognition, and continuous skills development as main priorities for ensuring the long-term sustainability and quality of social care services.

Building on these discussions, the CARES project will host its second Online Policy Lab on 17 June 2026. This event will focus on sharing practical solutions and showcasing project results. Participants will be introduced to the CARES Online Training Platform and its training modules, while representatives of European organisations working in the social sector will present good practices that support the well-being of care professionals and contribute to a more sustainable care workforce. 

The event aims not only to present the project outputs but also to create a space for exchange and mutual thinking. Speakers and participants from different countries will have the opportunity to discuss innovative approaches, successful initiatives, and practical experiences to strengthen the support systems for care workers across Europe.

Participation in the event is free, but prior registration is required. 

Date: 17 June 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 14:00-15:30 (CET)
Format: Online (Zoom)
Language: English

You can register via the link below:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WDdnfBrHRjWLj6bi9jKE4Q

The detailed programme and information about the guest speakers are available in the event invitation: Invitation for the 2nd Online Policy Lab.

The dashboard presents the concept of territorial resilience (Conceptualization), a comprehensive, interactive statistical interface that displays indicators of territorial resilience in Europe at the regional level (Statistics), the different stories of how resilience has been manifested and interpreted in various territorial contexts (Stories), the results of the case studies conducted within the project (Case Studies), the assessment tools developed (Assessment), and related terminology (Documentation – Glossary). The further results of the research (including the Final Report) are publicly available on the ESPON website.

In recent years, the concept of “resilience” has become embedded in the policy discourse of the European Union, but there’s still no common agreement on the actual meaning of the term and its application in territorial governance practice. The aim of the ESPON TERRES project was to fill this research gap and develop a conceptual framework for “territorial resilience,” outlining a measurement methodology that could potentially help guide EU cohesion and other sectoral policies, particularly at the subnational level.

As a result, the project team defined a comprehensive concept of territorial resilience, reviewed its current policy applications and possibilities, compiled a set of indicators suitable for measuring territorial resilience, and developed recommendations for future data collection. Analysed and mapped territorial inequalities in resilience; formulated recommendations for future research and methodology; and prepared an online dashboard to support the interpretation and measurement of territorial resilience.

Six case studies were also prepared within the framework of the project: HÉTFA staff addressed the challenges of the Budapest functional urban area, including intensive suburbanization and urban sprawl, overburdened infrastructure, public services and natural environment, and fragmented governance. To address these challenges, the project proposed a framework to strengthen cooperation and commitment among governance actors. The Budapest case identified valuable new initiatives, promising forms of cooperation, and the high added value of informal relationships, highlighting the role of proactive actors in resilience.

The partner meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the consortium to jointly review the progress achieved so far in the project and to coordinate the tasks for the second phase. Discussions focused on the finalisation of the online training modules, the further development of the online platform, and knowledge-sharing and dissemination activities.

Within the activities led by HÉTFA, two online international policy labs are organised on European challenges affecting the social and care sectors, as well as a national multiplier event. The first online international policy lab took place on 13 May 2026; you can read our previous article on the event. The next online international policy event will be held on 17 June 2026, with further information to be shared soon.

The project’s multiplier events will be organised in all partner countries – Lithuania, Italy, Romania and Hungary. The Hungarian event will take place on 23 June 2026. Its aim is to present the project and share the results and lessons learned with professionals in the social and care sectors through a presentation and roundtable discussion.

The latest updates on our upcoming events will be published on our website, and on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Martin Lichte, the senior policy officer at the European Social Network (ESN), who provided an overview of workforce trends and structural challenges affecting social services across Europe.

The presentation highlighted that social services workers represent approximately 5% of the total EU workforce, while the sector remains significantly undervalued, underfunded, and characterised by difficult working conditions. It was also emphasised that 80-90% of the workforce is women, the average age of workers is above 45 in many countries (somewhere 55+), and the demand for long-term care services continues to rise across Europe.

Several innovative European good practices were presented during the keynote session, including community-based preventive care models, respite care programmes supporting family carers, and examples of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in social services. The presentation stressed that technological developments in care services must remain accessible, ethical, inclusive, and human-centred, while reducing administrative burdens and supporting independent living.

The second part of the event featured a presentation by the lead partner of the CARES project, Claudia Petrescu (Center for Not-for-profit Law), who introduced the main findings of the project’s transnational benchmark research examining social and health care systems in the project’s partner countries – Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, and Romania. The research highlighted that population ageing, increasing care needs, and workforce shortages are placing growing pressure on care systems across all four countries.

One of the main findings of the research was that social care workers remain highly dedicated to their profession, while burnout, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress are reaching alarming levels in several countries, including Hungary. Survey participants identified excessive workload, low salaries, staff shortages, administrative burdens, and insufficient organisational support as the main sources of stress.

The moderated breakout discussions also provided an opportunity for participants to share national experiences and formulate recommendations. In the Hungarian discussion group, participants highlighted the lack of social recognition for social work, the need for stronger cooperation between organisations within the sector, and concerns regarding the weakening of professional qualification requirements in social services. Hungarian participants also stressed the importance of strengthening university-level social work education and improving coordination between the social, health, and education sectors.

Among the recommendations formulated during the discussions were improving salaries and working conditions, strengthening institutional support for workers’ mental well-being, expanding mentoring and training opportunities, and increasing the social recognition of care professions.

The outcomes of the event will contribute to the CARES project’s further professional development and the preparation of future policy recommendations.

The project will continue in the coming months with additional professional events and a second Online Policy Lab to strengthen international exchange and share good practice through individual presentations by professionals working in the social care sector.

Regarding the upcoming events, more information will be shared with you soon.

You can find the CARES project’s Benchmark Report on Social Care Sectors at the National and EU Level here: CARES_Benchmark_report_on_social_care_sectors_Transnational.

The modules themselves form part of a broader digital learning ecosystem, offering flexible, self-paced training aligned with the European Competence Framework for Research Managers (RM COMP) launched last year by the European Commission. The EARMA Academy is structured across different proficiency levels – from foundational (RM1) to advanced (RM3) – and combine conceptual knowledge with applied learning elements such as case studies, practical exercises, and assessments. This design enables learners to build competencies progressively while maintaining a strong connection to the operational realities of managing research and innovation projects in diverse institutional settings. The result is a set of e-learning modules that not only support continuous professional development but also contribute to the broader professionalisation and recognition of the research management and administration field in Europe.

You can discover the online learning hub here: https://formation-rma.eu/earma-academy/ 

You can learn more about the EARMA Academy here: https://earma.org/earma-academy/ 

The goal of the DECONSTRUCT project was to raise public awareness and promote critical thinking about Holocaust distortion. The project conducted comprehensive research on the manifestations of Holocaust distortion and its presence in education in Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Portugal. Based on the research findings, we developed innovative educational materials and online campaigns to raise social awareness and foster critical thinking, with particular attention to Holocaust distortion.

During the Budapest meeting, partners reviewed the achieved results, including key outputs of each work package, and evaluated project management, implemented activities, and their impact. Interactive World Café sessions, led by Zachor and HÉTFA, provided a space for participants to discuss project content, results, as well as key challenges and experiences.

HÉTFA Research Institute participates in the project as a partner and actively contributes to content development, project evaluation, and the preparation of the final report and sustainability plan. On the second day of the meeting, HÉTFA provided guidance to partners on preparing the final report and, together with Zachor Foundation, led the development of the sustainability plan and the final coordination discussions.

The project is funded by the European Union under the CERV programme. We would like to thank all partners for their dedicated work and cooperation, which made the successful implementation of the project possible.

The aim of the event is to create a space for dialogue among experts, policymakers, and practitioners, and to foster joint reflection on the sector’s future.

The programme will begin with a keynote presentation by an expert from the European Social Network (ESN), who will share insights on current workforce trends in social services. The presentation will also introduce ESN’s new initiative on a quality framework for social services, which promotes co-production approaches involving both service users and workers. This will be followed by a presentation from the project’s lead partner, Center for Not-for-profit Law (CLNR), introducing the key findings of the project’s benchmark transnational report and setting the framework for the project’s objectives.

The interactive part of the event will consist of moderated breakout sessions in which participants will work in smaller groups. These discussions will allow participants to share national experiences, identify key challenges, and formulate policy recommendations.

The session will conclude with a plenary wrap-up, where the project’s moderators will summarise the main insights from the group discussions. These outcomes will contribute to the further development of the project’s activities.

The Online Policy Lab is particularly relevant for professionals working in the care sector, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future development of care services.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Llb1SYWrSeGkw2RUFYaaEA

The pilot training is meant not only to build participants’ skills, but also to test and refine the project’s tools in real-life settings before wider rollout. The methodology is based on a blended, learner-centred approach that combines online learning with face-to-face workshops, practical assignments, and individual mentoring. A key element is microlearning: short, focused modules that allow busy caregivers to learn in a flexible and accessible format. These are complemented by scenario-based exercises and case studies that reflect real challenges from everyday care work.

The training pathway includes 15 microlearning modules, with 8 compulsory modules for the pilot phase. The curriculum covers digital skills, soft skills, social entrepreneurship, green and sustainable practices, and a strong well-being component. In fact, the largest thematic area is burnout and well-being, with modules dedicated to stress management, anger management, trauma, fear, self-esteem, work-life balance, and psychological first aid.

Another important feature of the methodology is the integration of personalised mentoring and self-learning resources, including handbooks, info cards, and practice-based materials hosted on the CARES platform. This structure helps participants move from learning to application and reflection, while also supporting long-term professional development and resilience in the care sector.

By combining flexibility, practical relevance, and individual support, the CARES pilot methodology offers a strong foundation for building a more skilled, resilient, and better-supported care workforce. It is also designed with transferability and long-term impact in mind, so that the model can be adapted and used beyond the initial pilot phase.

In May, we are focusing on the organisation of the pilot trainings within the CARES project. We invite care professionals, partner organisations, and stakeholders to follow the next steps of the project and stay connected for updates on the training activities, learning opportunities, and pilot implementation.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them

The main aim of the report is to synthesise information regarding the situation of ESIRA pilot areas, and the communities established there. The analysis reflects the situation of people living in pilot areas in the selected countries and regions, highlighting the social and economic similarities and differences in the challenges they face, stocktaking the drivers of vulnerability and social exclusion in representative rural contexts.

The full report is available in English on this link.

The SIMPLE project aims to support the employability and social integration of Ukrainian refugees, with a special focus on women and older people, through social innovation solutions. The meeting in Warsaw focused on how the professional results developed during the earlier analytical and planning phases of the project can be translated into concrete interventions adapted to local contexts. By linking pilot actions, stakeholder cooperation and evidence-based planning, the project seeks to develop a model that can be transferred to other settings and support refugee integration in the longer term.

HÉTFA participates in the project as a partner and played a leading role in Work Package 2, which laid the professional foundations of the new approach. As part of this work, we contributed to the development of the methodology, the problem and context analysis, the identification of promising social innovations, and the elaboration of the related Theory of Change. Building on the results of WP2, we also reviewed with our partners the next steps related to stakeholder engagement and capacity building during the Warsaw meeting.

The SIMPLE project is co-funded by the European Union under the ESF+ programme.