On 30 September and 1 October 2026, the x-Inno Radar partnership gathered in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, for its fifth transnational partner meeting. Hosted by project partner ARRSA (Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S.A.), the two-day meeting focused on preparing for the final phase of the project: refining results, strengthening regional strategies and turning shared experiences into practical tools and policy recommendations.
With the pilot phase completed, the project is entering an important new chapter. The focus is shifting from testing innovative approaches to consolidating lessons learned, sharing successful practices and ensuring that the project’s results continue to create impact beyond its lifetime.
From pilot experiences to practical blueprints
One of the central topics was the finalisation of the project’s blueprints, which translate experiences from local pilot actions into practical approaches that can be replicated and adapted in other regions.
During an interactive poster walk, partners reviewed the blueprints in small groups, exchanged feedback and discussed their practical relevance. Joint appreciation and final reviews helped refine both content and language, while discussions explored which local actions had inspired other partners and found their way into regional strategies.
The meeting also provided an update on the x-Inno Radar Toolbase, including its latest improvements, final contributions and long-term maintenance by Otelo after the project ends. The Toolbase will remain an important resource for organisations looking to strengthen soft skills and innovation capacities in their regions.
Turning regional strategies into lasting impact
Another key priority was the development of the eight regional future skills strategies. Through one-to-one peer exchanges and consultations with the lead partner, partners received final feedback and advice to strengthen their strategies.
The consortium also discussed the first draft of the transnational recommendations, prepared by Otelo and IfL. These recommendations aim to translate the project’s findings and regional experiences into broader insights for policymakers and innovation stakeholders across Central Europe.
Looking ahead, partners prepared the next steps towards the European Policy Roundtable, starting with the Policy Lab on 25 November 2026 in Košice, Slovakia. The Memorandum of Understanding was also on the agenda, supporting the ambition to sustain cooperation and impact beyond the project.
Communicating results to the right audiences
Developing strategies and recommendations is only part of the challenge. How can we make sure they reach and engage the people who can actually put them into practice?
This question was at the heart of an interactive communication session facilitated by Stebo, the project’s communication lead.
Partners worked together in two brainstorming sessions. The first focused on maximising the communication impact of the upcoming national seminars, identifying opportunities before, during and after each event. The second explored how to translate regional strategies into clear messages, accessible communication products and effective channels for different target groups.
The discussions highlighted the importance of moving beyond simply publishing project results towards making them visible, understandable and useful for the people who can drive change.
Fresh inspiration and connections in Bielsko-Biała
Alongside the working sessions, two Inspired By sessions brought fresh perspectives to the partnership. Anna Nellar Otahalova from MSIC Ostrava (Czechia) shared her insights, while two inspiring women from Bielsko-Biała’s creative scene presented their approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship. Aleksandra Tarnawa, a cultural curator at Bielsko-Biała Cultural Centre, connects art, people and urban spaces through street art and creative initiatives such as Punkt 11. Natasha Pavluchenko, a fashion and costume designer, combines art, design and business, showing how creativity and collaboration across different fields can generate new ideas and opportunities.
The programme also offered opportunities to explore Bielsko-Biała’s creative and innovative ecosystem. During a guided city walk, partners discovered the city’s cultural heritage and creative spaces. In the garden of the historic Willa Sixta, part of Bielsko-Biała’s BWA Gallery, they attended the opening of an exhibition by Oskar Zięta, whose experimental metal sculptures explore the boundaries between art, design and technology.
Partners also visited Majsterkownia a community-driven DIY and creative hub where people share skills, experiment with new ideas, give everyday objects a second life and build connections through hands-on activities.
These experiences, together with informal exchanges throughout the meeting, once again demonstrated the value of transnational cooperation: learning from different perspectives, connecting creativity with practical innovation and finding inspiration beyond our own regions.
Moving forward together
The fifth partner meeting marked another important milestone for x-Inno Radar. With the pilot experiences collected and the final project outputs taking shape, the partnership is now focused on turning knowledge into action.
A big thank you to ARRSA for the excellent organisation, warm hospitality and inspiring meeting venue in Bielsko-Biała!
The coming months will be dedicated to finalising the regional strategies, transnational recommendations and practical tools, while engaging stakeholders in discussions on the future of soft skills development and innovation in Central Europe.