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MERIT Project: Key Events and Digital Skills Development Opportunities

The MERIT project is set to deliver an exciting series of events and initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to advancing digital skills and fostering collaboration across Europe. From engaging MERIThONs to hands-on industry workshops and transformative short courses, 2025 promises to be a landmark year for the project and its participants. Here’s an overview of what lies ahead.

MERIThONs: Showcasing Digital Excellence Across Europe

MERIThONs, a cornerstone of the MERIT project’s activities, offer a unique opportunity for researchers, students, and industry professionals to tackle real-world challenges presented by companies through digital innovation. It also gives a platform for communication and collaboration in the field of advanced digital technologies and emerging technologies. In 2025, three MERIThONs are scheduled to take place:

• TALTECH (Tallinn, Estonia)
  • Date: 7 May 2025, 11:30 – 13:30 EET
  • Topics: MERIT project results and impact on society
  • Description: Part of the MMM2025 Conference, this MERIThON will focus on MERIT project’s impact on society and entrepreneurship.
• UPC (Manresa, Spain)
  • Date: 26 April 2025
  • Description: This MERIThON will leverage UPC’s expertise in technology and engineering to explore innovative solutions for complex digital challenges.
• VILNIUS TECH (Vilnius, Lithuania)
  • Date: October 2025
  • Topics: Artificial Intelligence
  • Description: Taking place later in the year, this event will further strengthen regional cooperation and innovation, engaging participants to solve relevant industry and society problems by proposing new AI-based solutions.

Each MERIThON promises a dynamic environment for networking, collaboration, and ideation, offering opportunities for participants to push the boundaries of digital innovation.

Industry Engagement Workshops

This year, MERIT  project will host three Industry Engagement Workshops with SMEs (EU level) on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT), aimed at fostering dialogue and partnerships between academia, and industry leaders. These workshops are strategically timed to maximise its impact:

• International Industry Engagement Workshop on IoT (28 May) – A session focused on addressing IoT solutions and innovations.
• International Industry Engagement Workshop on AI (18 June) – Held during the next project General Assembly in Vilnius, this session will feature keynote speakers, interactive discussions, and practical insights into the development and integration of AI solutions, as well as the growing demand for skills in this field.
• International Industry Engagement Workshop on Cybersecurity (22 October) – A forward-looking event to explore emerging trends and preparing for the future of cybersecurity.

These workshops offer a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, identify collaborative opportunities, and shape the future of Europe’s digital landscape.

Short Courses: Empowering Society with Digital Skills

Recognising the growing need for digital proficiency, MERIT  will launch a series of training short courses throughout 2025. These courses are designed for both individuals and professionals, addressing diverse aspects of digital transformation, such as:

• Fundamental digital skills for everyday users.
• Advanced technical skills for industry professionals seeking to stay ahead in the digital economy.
• Specialised training tailored to the unique challenges faced by various sectors.
• Introductory sessions to different societal groups to understand the principles, opportunities and impact of modern technologies and the need for advanced digital skills.

By equipping participants with essential and advanced digital competencies, these courses aim to bridge skill gaps and empower society to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Looking Ahead

The initiatives planned for 2025 highlight MERIT’s project commitment to building a digitally skilled Europe. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and education, the project continues to play a key role in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Stay updated on these events and initiatives by visiting digitalmerit.eu and following the MERIT project on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube.