From April 9 to 11, all partners of the Synclusive project gathered in Sofia, Bulgaria, for a dynamic and inspiring General Assembly meeting. The three-day event brought us together to share progress, align strategies, and deepen our shared commitment to inclusion through real-world innovation.
We kicked off with a preliminary event on April 9, diving into Realist Evaluation theory — the core methodology guiding how we track progress and impact across our Living Labs. Through this lens, we’re identifying the underlying contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes (CMOs) that shape how inclusive labour market interventions succeed or stall.
Key themes from the session included:
- Enhancing and harmonising data collection methods for better comparability
- Sharing updates and challenges from partners, especially on coding and stakeholder engagement
- Reflecting on common experiences within and across Living Labs
- Beginning to interpret early data through CMO frameworks
We were honoured to welcome Nikola Barbutov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia for European Policies, International Affairs and Tourism, who opened the formal General Assembly sessions on April 10–11 with a powerful message:
“I am glad that experts from many different countries are working together on this important topic – providing access to the labour market for people in vulnerable situations. We need every person to be able to participate, be independent, and enjoy a good quality of life. That’s why exploring mechanisms and testing inclusive models is a priority for Sofia.”
He also highlighted the city’s leading roles in EUROCITIES and the B-40 Balkan Cities Network, reinforcing Sofia’s dedication to inclusive urban development across Europe.
The meeting featured rich discussions, collaborative planning, and knowledge exchange around the project’s key goals.
Partners provided updates from each Living Lab, focusing on progress in coalition-building with local stakeholders; key insights for the upcoming second policy brief; and strategies to support inclusion, mobility, and empowerment for people in vulnerable situations.
Looking ahead, partners are preparing for several exciting events in the next months that will shape the next phase of the project:
- A Policy Round Table and Project Symposium in Brussels
- The European Commission Review Meeting
