The Atlantic Social Lab (ASL) partners met last 16-17 March 2023 in Guimarães (Portugal) for the third coordination meeting of the extension phase of the project. This meeting was organised by the Intermunicipal Community of Ave and aimed to outline the project's accomplishments at each work package.

A hearing was held on 14 March by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the Social Progress Protocol (SPP), which would prioritize fundamental rights over economic freedoms in conflict and in EU policies. SPPs were discussed as equal to the Treaties to safeguard and strengthen the European social model.

In order to help children caught up in fragile humanitarian settings remain in school, or to return to school, the European Commission and UNICEF are calling for strengthened collective engagement and increased public funding. On 22 March 2023, the European Humanitarian Forum and the joint High-Level Conference on Education in Emergencies will be held in Brussels.

On behalf of the European Commission the European Social Fund Agency of Lithuania (ESFA) has released an open call inviting external experts to support ESFA in implementing the ESF Social Innovation+ initiative (ESF SI+ initiative). The initiative is financed by the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) and will take place between 2022 and 2030.

Launch events were held across Spain to kick-start the implementation of the new cohesion programmes for 2021-2027, including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

On the occasion of a "Don't Panic" day, Centre Régional Information Jeunesse - CRIJ invited students to participate in an innovative action in the form of a free escape game on health.

The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today by the European Parliament and Member States concerning the European Year of Skills. With the help of the European Parliament, the Commission, Member States, social partners, public and private employment services, associations of commerce and industry, education and training providers, workers, and businesses, the European Year of Skills will promote skills development, enhancing people's employment prospects and quality of life.

Brock University is offering a new short course that teaches skills to help solve current global challenges. In four sessions, Foundations in Social Innovation Skills will introduce different types of social innovation and the skills needed to become social innovators.

Today, the UN Women, the United Nations, and its partners and allies around the world are celebrating International Women's Day (IWD) , calling on governments, activists, and businesses to take action for a safer, more inclusive, and more equitable digital world. To accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, a paradigm shift is needed.

The European Commission has launched the 16th edition of the REGIOSTARS awards competition, which recognizes the best projects funded under Cohesion Policy. All Cohesion Policy-funded projects, including those from the European Social Fund (Plus), are invited to apply.