Skills4Life - Launch conference

From June 17 to 19, 2025, the South Muntenia Regional Development Agency hosted the official launch of the Skills4Life Project, an international initiative co-funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme. This three-day event which took place in the city of Pitești, Romania, marked the beginning of a collaborative journey to support the socio-economic integration of young people leaving the child protection system across the Danube region.

The event brought together officials, experts, and partners from across the Danube region to support the socio-economic integration of young people leaving the child protection system.

Day 1 Highlights
The conference opened with a comprehensive presentation of the Skills4Life project’s objectives, structure, and expected impact, delivered by the project coordinator. This session laid the foundation for understanding the initiative’s strategic direction and its relevance across the region.
Following this, stakeholders from various municipalities, NGOs, and social service organizations shared insights into the realities faced by care leavers in their local contexts. These contributions highlighted:

• Gaps in post-care support systems
• Challenges in accessing housing, education, and employment
• The need for integrated, community-based solutions

Day 2 Highlights
Project partners held an in-depth coordination meeting to align responsibilities, set timelines, and plan upcoming activities. From mentoring modules to digital resources, every effort is focused on empowering care leavers for independent living.

Day 3 Highlights
The conference concluded with two insightful study visits to NGOs working directly with institutionalized children. These visits offered valuable perspectives and reinforced the importance of collaboration and community engagement.

If you want to find more information about the project, visit: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/skills4life/