The sixth peer-review meeting took place in Budapest, Hungary, at the end of February where the participators were the delegates of DEX Innovation Center (Czech Republic) and Sofia Municipality (Bulgaria). The purpose of the peer-review workshops is to get to know each other’s local system, good practices and experience related to youth entrepreneurship and youth skills improvement.

The NewGenerationSkills project organizes 7 peer reviews, one in each partner country where the visitor partners get impressions and arguments as well as a basis to start or renew similar initiatives as a contribution to their Innovation Lab and Action Plan. Additionally, actual professional responsibilities and tasks are discussed in a framework of a workshop.

In Hungary the host was Újbuda Municipality and the main focus were on community building (and the related sites) and vocational orientation (including entrepreneurial support) of the 15-29 years old target group.

The program included two site visits, “B32 Cultural Center and Gallery”, as the venue of Spin-Off Club and other cultural programs appealing to the young and „UP Center”, a co-working place and a training/mentoring venue supported by Újbuda Municipality. “Start-up Tender for University Students” was also introduced to the partners, which is a 3-year-old initiative of the municipality. The leader of our Thematic Pole , “Entrepreneurial learning systems”, IFKA Public Benefit Non-Profit Ltd. for the Development of Industry presented their SENSE project and the strategy of the capitalization activities.

A workshop was also part of the event during which the partners got to know the Action Plan of Újbuda, which was prepared in accordance with the local-level comparative case study. It followed by discussions on the operational model and portfolio of services of the Innovation Lab in Újbuda and in respective partner cities.

Actors of the planned pilot session of the Innovation Lab, (such as KÖFE, the Community Development Association and Új Nemzedék Programme) gave a deep insight into their activities and roles. KÖFE is helping to build and maintain communities countrywide, develop strategies and leaders and support proposals and tenders. Új Nemzedék Programme collects young people locally and provides community programs and consultancy in the field of studying and work. Also at their community office, there is often a possibility for self-development with trainers and lecturers.

The aims of peer review sessions is that partners can exchange experience, furthermore align views and existing methods as well as innovative measures found useful  locally. After that, they were thinking together about which models incentives and influences work the best and which should be the adapted solutions in each country regarding the identified challenges of the region.