Evelin Verhas presented HÉTFA’s analysis of the methodological and contextual conditions that determine the transferability of good practices. Drawing on work carried out within SIMPLE (Social Innovation Models to Promote Learning and Employability), in which HÉTFA is a partner, she highlighted findings from the review of earlier social innovation initiatives. The analysis revealed a consistent imbalance in the available evidence: while project objectives and activities are typically documented in detail, implementation trajectories — including departures from initial plans, subsequent adaptations and participant experiences — are recorded far less systematically. Evidence on outcomes and impacts is often equally limited. This weakens the basis for assessing transferability, as it obscures which elements are integral to an intervention’s effectiveness and which are contingent on particular organisational, institutional or local conditions. The presentation therefore also considered how process and impact evaluation, coupled with systematic implementation documentation, can strengthen adaptive project management and organisational learning while providing a more robust basis for adapting good practices to new settings.

SIMPLE is co-funded by the European Union under the ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative and brings together partners from Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Croatia and Hungary to transfer and scale social innovation models that promote the employability and social inclusion of refugees from Ukraine, with a particular focus on women.

For more information, visit: https://simpleinnovation.eu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency (ESFA). Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.

The Study Visit at Istanbul University provided an opportunity for knowledge transfer among Turkish research managers and created a shared platform for exchanging good practices. Virág Zsár presented the development of the Research Management profession, the results of the RM Roadmap survey and the European Research Area policy context. Beáta Lázár introduced HÉTFA’s research management projects, including SECURE2, RM Framework and MAPIT Horizone Europe projects. The partners also met research managers working at Istanbul University and representatives of TARMA, the Turkish Research Management community. During the discussion on the relevance, benefits and challenges of professional associations, Virág Zsár – recently elected President of HUNARMA, the Hungarian Association of Research Managers and Administrators – shared experience from establishing the Hungarian association, thereby supporting the initiative of the Turkish colleagues.

The programme continued in İzmir, where Virág Zsár and Beáta Lázár delivered the final Future Studies Programme training. The first part of the HÉTFA-led programme focused on the challenges of organisational development and lessons learned from the project, followed by a workshop in which participants prepared institutional action plans for their Research Support Offices. Building on HÉTFA’s gap analysis, the training addressed research management strategy, processes, knowledge management, services and professional networks. At the Final Consortium Meeting, HÉTFA presented the results of Work Package 4 (the Future Studies Programme), including the training programme, study visits and short-term secondments. Partners shared their mobility experiences, evaluated the work of the two-year project, and prepared sustainability and future cooperation plans.

The Horizon Europe-funded MAPIT project aims to bridge the gap between innovative SMEs, research entities and European R&I networks, fostering sustainable international partnerships. By establishing digital innovation centres and upskilling R&I managers, MAPIT strengthens university-industry collaboration, promotes internationalisation and supports research entities in engaging successfully with Horizon Europe and the European Research Area.

HÉTFA is the leader of Work Package 4, responsible for the Future Studies Programme.

Learn more about the project here: https://mapitproject.eu/ 

The article shows that research on spatial diffusion increasingly combines different theoretical approaches and analytical methods. Empirical findings related to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, information diffusion, and vaccination demonstrate that while the temporality of the studied diffusion processes could be described by the diffusion wave model, the spatial patterns of spread – such as hierarchical and neighbourhood-based diffusion – were only partly observed. The authors explain that this was partly due to the structure of the networks through which these phenomena spread, as well as the role of certain key actors in the diffusion process. The spread of these processes also contributed to the emergence of regional differences, reinforcing existing centre–periphery inequalities. The article further highlights that complex interactions could be observed between the spread of the pandemic, vaccines, and information.

The first day of the Seminar focused on the future of territorial cohesion, regional competitiveness, and resilience across Europe. Speakers emphasized the importance of innovation, knowledge exchange, and reducing cognitive distance to strengthen regional development, while ESPON projects explored global value chains, supply-chain resilience, and the specific challenges facing Mediterranean regions and islands. The second day highlighted regional capabilities, sustainable development, and science-based policymaking, complemented by workshops on digital transformation, the green transition, and housing and land-use challenges. The event concluded with a forward-looking discussion on ESPON’s post-2027 programme and the continued role of evidence-based territorial cooperation.

The Reality in Hungary

Moderator Gergely Katona (Baptist Diaconal Center, Social Notes) opened the discussion by presenting statistical data reflecting the current state of the sector. According to estimates, approximately 90,000 people work in the social welfare system in Hungary, but only 20% of them hold a college degree. Although official statistics show an average gross salary of around 582,000 Ft, workers tend to estimate it at around 400,000 Ft gross—due to the inconsistency of bonuses and other payments. Nationwide, there is a 20% labor shortage, which exceeds 40% in certain areas. Approximately 40% of those who earn a degree in this field do not find employment in the social sector even after graduation.

Resilience – more than flexibility

The central concept of the discussion was resilience. Dr. Szilvia Ádám (Semmelweis University) defined resilience as the ability that allows an individual or organization to recover—and even thrive—after a crisis. Erzsébet Kővári (Budapest Methodological Centre of Social Policy and Its Institutions) cited the COVID-19 pandemic, the refugee crisis, and the cost-of-living crisis as examples where effective communication and collaboration helped institutions. Dr. Zsófia Hídvégi (Hungarian Association of Supervisors and Supervisor-Coaches) emphasized from a neuroscientific perspective that humans are social beings, and thus connecting with others is an important means of calming the nervous system.

Why are colleagues leaving?

According to the experts, the reason for leaving the profession is not only salary, but working conditions, the lack of positive feedback and the workplace atmosphere. In 85–90% of supervision cases, the source of problems is not difficulties with clients, but collegial tensions and manager-subordinate relationships. The key to the solution lies in creating “psychological safety” – an environment where it is okay to make mistakes.

Supervision: not a luxury, but an essential in mental well-being

Supervision is an interprofessional reflective process that supports helpers’ mental well-being in four dimensions: me and my profession, me and my colleagues, me and my clients, and me and the system. The experts agreed that supervision should become part of professional socialisation. Erzsébet Kővári shared that at BMSZKI, centrally organised supervision has been available since 2020.

Good practices and personal strategies

Participants reported several forward-looking initiatives, including the BMSZKI and MOME collaboration, community psychiatry programmes, relaxation rooms for staff, and leadership training and resilience programmes. At the end of the discussion, the experts shared their own coping strategies: conscious self-care, grounding techniques, expanding reaction time, positive focus and supportive relationships all contribute to maintaining helpers’ mental balance.

The key takeaway of the roundtable discussion is that the sustainability of the helping professions requires “helping the helpers”. As we are taught on aeroplanes: we must put on our own oxygen mask first.

The podcast version of the Hunagrian discussion can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgOClhaLRyA 

The two-day event, held for the first time under the motto “Where are we heading? Answers,” brought together more than 70 speakers and nearly 200 participants, both in person and online. The programme included six plenary sessions and 16 thematic panels. Representatives of academia, business, diplomacy, public administration and civil society discussed the developments shaping contemporary societies, politics, the economy and culture.

The SIMPLE panel focused on how public authorities, academia, business and civil society can work together more effectively to support refugees from Ukraine. Participants discussed how the different actors could define their roles and responsibilities more clearly, coordinate different forms of support and involve those directly affected from the outset in programme design. They emphasised that the knowledge and experience of refugees from Ukraine not only contribute to a better understanding of their actual needs, but can also serve as an important source of social innovation.

This cross-sectoral cooperation is also central to the SIMPLE project. HÉTFA is a partner in the project, which adapts proven social innovation models to local needs and tests them in practice. SIMPLE aims to support the labour-market integration and economic independence of refugees from Ukraine, particularly women.

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 Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.

The STREAM IT project, funded by Horizon Europe, aims to promote the participation of girls and women in STEAM education, research and innovation through inclusive educational opportunities, mentoring and science communication activities. As the coordinator of the STREAM IT project, HÉTFA is responsible for the overall professional and operational coordination of the project while actively contributing to the implementation of educational programmes, mentoring activities, science communication initiatives and international cooperation.

The international final was preceded by a project partners’ meeting, during which members of the STREAM IT consortium reviewed the project’s progress, exchanged experiences and discussed the professional and communication activities related to the project’s final phase. During the afternoon competition, each finalist had eight minutes to present their research in a way that remained scientifically accurate while being clear, engaging and accessible to a wider audience. A multidisciplinary jury evaluated the presentations based on scientific content, presentation style, creativity and communication skills. The jury consisted of Dr. Bálint Molnár, Director of Communications at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Assistant Professor at the Department of Management and Business Economics; Nikoletta Bozsik-Nagy, science and technology journalist at Telex; and Dr. Nóra Abrankó-Rideg, Director of Grants and Proposals at the Hungarian Dance University, chemist, educator and mentor at the Milestone Institute.

The competition featured research from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, medicine, sustainable agriculture, materials science and aerospace engineering. Daryna Aihars (Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine) won first prize with her presentation Modern Approaches to Solving the Problem of the Sonic Boom in Supersonic Flight. Agnes Warmuth (Lund University, Sweden) received second prize for Every Dot Counts, while Solveiga Samulenaite (Vilnius University, Lithuania) was awarded third prize for The Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Development of Eating Disorders. Once again, the competition highlighted the vital role of science communication in making research understandable, engaging and relevant to society.

Recordings of all presentations are available on the STREAM IT YouTube channel.

The workshop is part of a research process supporting the evaluation of the Zachor Foundation’s Teacher Ambassador and Youth Ambassador Programs. The goal of the evaluation is to provide a comprehensive picture of the changes the program initiates in educational institutions, in teachers’ professional work, and in students’ learning processes. The Zachor Foundation’s Ambassador Program is supported by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

The Zachor Foundation’s Ambassador Program builds a community of educators and young people committed to Holocaust education who collaborate at the local, national, and international levels to strengthen authentic remembrance education. The program also contributes to the fight against antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and distortion, promoting education based on critical thinking and democratic values.

Using participatory methods, the participants collectively reflected on how the ambassador activities relate to the day-to-day operations of schools, what kinds of learning and community processes they foster, and in what areas the program’s short- and long-term impacts are evident. Teachers’ experiences are particularly valuable for the evaluation, as they are able to perceive institutional and pedagogical changes that are less visible to students.

The Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of youth mental health, presenting experiences from countries across the Danube Region while exploring opportunities to further strengthen mental health support systems.

The publication offers an in-depth analysis of the current situation and highlights the key challenges faced by adolescents and young adults, as well as the systems supporting them. Research shows that 50% of mental health conditions emerge before the age of 14, while 75% develop before the age of 24. The COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation, economic uncertainty and broader social changes have further increased the pressures affecting younger generations, underlining the importance of strengthening prevention and early intervention.

The Handbook also examines the main challenges facing existing support systems, including shortages of mental health professionals, regional disparities in access to services, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the difficulties marginalised groups—such as early school leavers and young people from Roma communities—often face in accessing appropriate support. Alongside identifying these challenges, it presents practical recommendations, good practices and policy proposals aimed at improving mental health support systems for young people. 

Read the MEET Youth Mental Health Handbook.

SECURE 2 aims to pilot and implement recommendations for the European Framework for Research Careers (ERCF) to improve research career progression and mobility within research-performing organizations (RPOs) and research-funding organizations (RFOs).

This issue presents the project’s latest research findings on job security, career pathways, and employment conditions in the context of research careers, while also highlighting recent project activities, events, and publications. The Bulletin offers valuable insights into the policy and research initiatives that contribute to shaping the future research labour market and promoting sustainable research careers across Europe.

The project is implemented with the participation of HÉTFA Research Institute and is funded by the Horizon Europe programme.

Read the second issue here:
https://secureproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SECURE2-Bulletin-draft-JUNE-2026.pdf

To learn more about the SECURE2 project’s activities, results, and latest news, visit the project’s official website: https://secureproject.eu/