The DIAMOND project officially launched with a two-day meeting in Milan, Italy, bringing together a diverse team of experts from all 15 participating organisations. This kick-off session was a whirlwind of productivity and inspiration, laying the groundwork for a groundbreaking initiative that aims to revolutionise job training.
Day 1 – Building a Strong Foundation:
The first day of our kick-off meeting focused on building strong relationships and establishing a shared vision for the DIAMOND project. The team engaged in discussions about the overarching goals, objectives, and work packages, ensuring alignment and a clear path forward for collaboration.
We had the pleasure of welcoming our Project Officer from the European Research Executive Agency, Carolina Ibañez Vila, and our Financial Officer, Barbara Scioni, who joined online to share insights about fostering a successful EU project.
The agenda also included in-depth discussions about each work package, where we clarified upcoming tasks and addressed open questions. Here we explored personalised learning through the EGROW Index tool to measure and understand how people grow in their job skills and adaptability, and the cutting-edge MOVEE platform – a digital platform for lifelong learning where individuals can earn personalised micro-credentials and take part in skill-building programs. We also discussed the Grassroot Living Lab – a real-world testing ground for innovative solutions.
The day concluded with a relaxed walk-and-talk to the city center, followed by a delightful evening of aperitivo and pizza.
Day 2 – Diving Deep into Innovation:
The second day featured two workshops for fostering collaboration among our partners, as the Living Lab and DEC activities require active involvement from everyone.
The first workshop focused on the DIAMOND Living Lab and Social Innovation experiments. This session facilitated meaningful discussions, helping us to align our shared understanding of these concepts and their practical implementation.
The second workshop addressed the Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) activities. Our partner, Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting, presented the DIAMOND logo and visual identity, as well as planned DEC activities. The session also provided an opportunity for everyone to contribute ideas to the planned DEC activities and gave us insights about ongoing DEC activities of each partner.
The day concluded with a delightful lunch at a traditional Milanese restaurant, providing a perfect setting to reflect on the workshops and strengthen team connections.
Key Highlights & Goals Achieved
- Team Building: We had the opportunity to meet our partners face-to-face, fostering strong relationships and a collaborative spirit.
- Project Overview: We discussed the overall project goals, objectives, and work packages.
- Work Package Deep Dives: We delved into the specifics of each work package, ensuring a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities.
- Innovative Approaches: We explored innovative approaches to job training, such as personalised learning and social innovation experiments.
- Future Planning: We outlined the next steps for the project, including timelines, milestones, and communication strategies.
Looking forward with Excitement!
The DIAMOND team left Milan feeling energised and with a clear roadmap for the future. The next steps involve diligently working towards project milestones and ensuring effective communication strategies are in place to keep everyone informed and engaged.
This kick-off meeting marks a significant milestone for the DIAMOND project. We are incredibly excited about the transformative potential this initiative holds for the future of job training and the path towards a more inclusive and prosperous labour market.
