The Synclusive project consortium convened in Brussels on September 18, 2025, for a pivotal policy roundtable, bringing together European Commission officials and project partners to present and discuss innovative pathways for labour market inclusion. Hosted in the heart of EU policymaking, the roundtable provided a platform to reflect on early outcomes and foster dialogue on inclusive employment strategies.
Synclusive, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative, aims to improve access to the labour market for vulnerable groups – including the long-term unemployed, people with low educational attainment, individuals with a migrant background, and those aged over 50. The roundtable marked an important milestone, as consortium members shared preliminary findings from the project’s four Living Labs, operating in Sofia (Bulgaria), Kokkola (Finland), Amersfoort (Netherlands), and three pilot locations across Portugal.
Each Living Lab has developed context-specific strategies tailored to local labour market conditions and the needs of target groups. These real-life testing environments have generated valuable insights into the barriers faced by vulnerable individuals and the policies and practices that can enable more equitable access to employment opportunities.
EU institutional representatives from several Directorates-General participated in the event, including DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD), DG Just, REA, and policy officers working on equality, employment, gender, and poverty reduction. Their engagement underscores the growing EU-level commitment to inclusive growth and social cohesion.
Discussions during the roundtable focused on aligning Synclusive’s grassroots findings with broader EU policy frameworks, including the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Union of Skills and the forthcoming European Ani-Poverty Strategy. Key themes included lifelong learning, creating local coalitions, inclusive hiring practices, cross-sectoral cooperation, and the role of data in identifying and addressing structural inequalities.
As the project moves into its next phase, Synclusive partners emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between research, practice, and policy. The insights generated from the Living Labs will contribute to the development of scalable models that can be adapted across diverse European regions.
Photo credits: SDA
