Finnova brings together European institutions and experts in Brussels to discuss digital and green skills during European Youth Week 2026
• The forum showcased three EU-funded projects focused on future skills: Erasmus+ 5G-DiGITs, LIFE Resskill and Erasmus+ CyberSkills.
• Member of the European Parliament Antonio López-Istúriz delivered a keynote speech on “New skills for a new world”.
• The event also highlighted the opening of the LIFE Programme 2026 call, with a budget of €601.5 million.
Brussels, 30 April 2026. The Finnova Foundation hosted a hybrid event in Brussels on Monday titled “Digital & Green Skills for Europe: Innovation in 5G, digital skills and cybersecurity”, as part of European Youth Week 2026, an initiative led by the European Commission to promote youth participation and employability across Europe.
The event brought together representatives from European institutions, tech experts and EU project leaders to explore how skills, training and education can respond to the demands of a labour market shaped by the digital and green transitions.
A key moment was the keynote speech “New skills for a new world” by MEP Antonio López-Istúriz, member of the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Security and Defence (SEDE). He stressed that adaptability and critical thinking are essential in the current technological transformation.
“The ability to keep learning is the most valuable skill for young people today,” he noted, while also calling for the responsible development of technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Projects and sessions
The event was opened and closed by Carolina Massara, EU Project Manager at Finnova, and moderated by Milagros Vásquez, Communication Trainee. The programme was structured around three thematic sessions:
5G and digital transformation
The first session, dedicated to the Erasmus+ 5G-DiGITs project, featured Juan Viesca (Finnova Foundation), who presented the scope of the Erasmus+ Programme, and Carolina Massara, who introduced the project’s objectives and training platform. Juan Besari Jiménez, CEO of Blockchain Work Labs and 5G expert, shared practical applications of 5G for industry and SMEs, including drone technologies and digital platforms.
Reskilling for the green transition
The second session focused on the LIFE RESSKILL project. Amandine De Coster-Lacourt(CINEA) presented EU initiatives supporting skills for sustainable construction and energy efficiency. Carla Montagud Montalvá (Universitat Politècnica de València, CATENERG) highlighted how the project promotes upskilling through micro-credentials and training pathways aligned with industry needs.
Cybersecurity skills
The third session addressed the Erasmus+ CyberSkills project. José María Ruiz Cano (Innovasur) presented the project’s approach to tackling the cybersecurity skills gap. Anne-Sophie Van Vaerenbergh (ECSO) shared European initiatives such as Road2Cyber, while Dr. Jetzabel Serna(Cyber4People, ENISA working group) underlined the importance of awareness, inclusion and accessible training in cybersecurity.
A shared commitment to future skills
The event reaffirmed Finnova Foundation’s commitment to innovation, training and employability through EU-funded projects, supporting young people, professionals and businesses in acquiring future-oriented skills.
Strengthening collaboration between education, vocational training and industry remains key to ensuring that training programmes match labour market needs and support Europe’s digital and green transitions.
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