Harnessing Talent Platform is a new platform launched by the European Commission in order to strengthen efforts and tackle the challenges brought by the demographic transition that the European Union is facing.

In the same way, a call was launched for the formation of working groups within the Harnessing Talent Platform.The call is open to stakeholders at the EU level, as well as at the national and regional level to become part of 4 working groups on the topics: digital, health, research and innovation and territorial development.

The Commission has published a Communication on Harnessing Talent in European Regions and is launching the Talent Booster Mechanism, which aims to bring a fresh impetus for re and upskilling as the first key initiative in 2023 to contribute to the European Year of Skills.

This Mechanism will support EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.

The Harnessing Talent Platform (HTP) is a newly formed knowledge-building and experience-exchange platform, which seeks to support regions in addressing the consequences of the demographic change and in mitigating the challenges associated with the decline of tertiary educated populations across the EU.

The HTP foresees the creation of dedicated working groups that bring together stakeholders from different territorial levels to discuss on the topic of harnessing talent in Europe and the territorial consequences of demographic dynamics that are linked to it. These working groups serve as a forum for strategic exchange on how sectors such as: Digital, Health, Research & Innovation as well as Territorial Development – in particular rural-urban linkages and quality of life - can influence a region’s ability to be competitive and attractive for young and highly skilled workforce.

The work of the groups will allow to have a deeper insight into how regions dealing with demographic challenges can attract, develop and retain talent, by exploring potential solutions and devise instruments linked to the topic of the working group. As such, working groups will develop and share knowledge and expertise, articulate challenges, promote good practices and translate findings into policy recommendations and technical guidance.

Stakeholders involved in understanding or addressing labour market challenges in the digital, health and/or R&I sector or interested in contributing to a better understanding of how rural-urban linkages and quality of live can impact the possibility of EU regions to harness talent, can apply to be a member of one or several of the working groups.

The list of eligible stakeholders includes, but is not limited to:

• Relevant public authorities at EU, national and regional level - especially in the regions particularly affected by the declining share of tertiary educated labour force in the afore-mentioned sectors;
• Research and academic institutions and think thanks;
• Public or para-public agencies and associations;
• Business associations;
• Umbrella organisations, collaborative networks, clusters and intermediary organisations;
• Pan European organisations for regions;
• Civil society organisations, including for instance representatives from workers and employers, NGOs.

Call is open between  July 18 and  September 15 2023.

Application form

Call  - Working Groups – Let's Drive Change together

Source: European Commission