Erasmus+ 2025 – Cooperation Partnerships in Adult Education (KA220-ADU)On 29 and 30 January 2026, the VOICES_EU consortium gathered in Gouda for the first in-person Transnational Project Meeting. After a month of online collaboration, partners from the Netherlands, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia and Ireland finally met face-to-face to deepen their cooperation, refine the project’s work plans, and set the direction for the months ahead.
The meeting opened with a warm welcome and an opportunity for all partners to introduce themselves in person. The atmosphere quickly became collaborative and energetic, setting the tone for two productive days.
A significant part of the programme focused on the development of the research plan for WP2. Partners discussed the structure of the good‑practice collection, the criteria for selecting examples, and the process for involving people with disabilities in reviewing and validating the materials. The group also agreed on the timeline for collecting, reviewing and summarising the practices in accessible formats.
The consortium then turned its attention to the upcoming work on the VOICES_EU online toolkit. Partners exchanged initial ideas on structure, content and usability, exploring how the toolkit can best support people with disabilities in designing awareness-raising and advocacy activities. The work plan for this package will continue to evolve in the coming months, with a dedicated meeting scheduled for September in Vilnius.
Communication and dissemination were also key topics. Partners reviewed the dissemination plan, the monitoring approach and the first elements of the project’s visual identity and website. The discussion confirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that VOICES_EU remains accessible, visible and engaging for all target groups.
On the second day, the consortium focused on quality assurance, risk mitigation, sustainability and impact. Partners explored how to measure long‑term effects, how to ensure the project’s results remain available after completion, and how to maintain strong cooperation throughout the project’s lifetime. Administrative and financial procedures were also clarified to ensure smooth implementation.
The meeting concluded with a final reflection round. Partners expressed that the two days brought clarity, structure and renewed motivation. The in-person exchange strengthened the sense of partnership and created what one participant described as “professional chemistry.” And, in true Gouda spirit, the meeting ended with a promise to bring cheese to the next gathering in Vilnius.
The VOICES_EU consortium now moves forward with a shared vision, strengthened collaboration and a clear roadmap for the next steps. The project is well underway, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
