The “S.M.I.L.E.” Open Network
The S.M.I.L.E. (Skill Match in an Intelligent Learning Environment) Open Network brings together universities, competence centres, research institutions and business representatives from Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium and North Macedonia, promoting cross-sector cooperation for innovation in higher education and skills alignment with the labour market.
It was established as a result of international collaboration within the Erasmus+ Project “S.M.I.L.E. – Skill Match in an Intelligent Learning Environment” (Agreement 2023-1-IT02-KA220-HED-000159041), coordinated by CONFORM – Consulenza Formazione e Management S.c.a.r.l. (Italy) and supported by eight European partners:
- UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI SIENA (Italy)
- CONSORZIO MEDITECH – Mediterranean Competence Centre 4 Innovation (Italy)
- UNIWERSYTET EKONOMICZNY W POZNANIU (Poland)
- WIELKOPOLSKA IZBA PRZEMYSŁOWO-HANDLOWA (Poland)
- SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS UNIVERSITY IN SKOPJE (North Macedonia)
- EFMD AISBL (Belgium)
- CÁMARA OFICIAL DE COMERCIO, INDUSTRIA, SERVICIOS Y NAVEGACIÓN DE SEVILLA (Spain)
- UNIVERSIDAD DE HUELVA (Spain)
The network aims to consolidate and extend the results of the SMILE project by fostering a stable multi-actor collaboration platform that connects higher education, business, and innovation ecosystems around digital transformation and skills intelligence.
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The objectives of the network
- Share methodologies and AI-based tools developed within SMILE for proactive and predictive analysis of learners’ training needs.
- Support Higher Education and SMEs in reducing skill mismatches by aligning training offers with the evolving needs of the labour market.
- Disseminate and co-develop Open Educational Resources (OERs) — including microlearning pills and video tutorials — to promote lifelong digital learning.
- Encourage transnational collaboration between HEIs, VET centres, competence hubs, and business representatives.
- Foster innovation and competitiveness in European SMEs by promoting digital and green skills.
- Sustain the use of the SMILE model beyond the project’s lifetime through continuous exchange, research, and community engagement.
How to join the network
Joining the network is completely free and open to:
- Higher Education Institutions
- VET Centres and Training Organisations
- Research and Competence Centres
- Chambers of Commerce
- HR Managers and Career Guidance Professionals
Membership offers access to a European community committed to innovation in education, AI for learning, and the enhancement of employability skills.
Communication with the network
The network runs a group on the eTwinning platform containing useful materials and resources on the main results of the S.M.I.L.E. project. Anyone can be part of it and share their skills and research with the network. The network uses open source and free tools for 90% of its activities.
