IMPACT

The  Forward AIe Skills project is conceived as a driver of meaningful and sustainable change, responding to the urgent need to prepare Europe’s education and training systems for the opportunities and challenges of Generative AI. Its impact is designed to unfold over time — beginning with concrete improvements in competences and resources, and evolving into institutional transformation and policy influence at national and European levels.

In the short term, during the project’s implementation, Forward AIe Skills will deliver:

• Enhanced competences among educators and trainers, as a result of targeted training and practical tools that support the ethical and pedagogical integration of GenAI into teaching and assessment practices;
• Improved AI and digital literacy among learners, particularly students and young professionals, equipping them with critical thinking, adaptability and employability in a rapidly evolving digital economy;
• Pilot-tested frameworks and resources, such as the AIe Competency Framework, self-assessment tools and curriculum integration models, applied in real institutional settings across partner countries;
• Initial institutional engagement and ownership, as project partners begin embedding AIe practices into curricula, staff development pathways and strategic planning processes.

In the medium term, within 1–3 years after the project’s conclusion, we expect:

• Mainstreaming of the project’s open-access resources, as training centres, universities and VET providers beyond the consortium adopt the methodologies and tools developed;
• Curricular reform and innovation, supported by the uptake of the AIe framework and training models in formal programmes and accreditation systems;
• Broader access to quality AI training, including for underrepresented groups, through modular and inclusive learning pathways;
• Ongoing collaboration across sectors, ensuring continuity in innovation and alignment with labour market needs and ethical standards.

In the long term, the project aims to contribute to systemic transformation, including:

• Sustained and widespread integration of GenAI in education, with tested approaches influencing teaching practice, governance and institutional cultures;
• Evidence-based contribution to policy and regulation, supporting the development of frameworks at national and EU levels, in line with the AI Act, Digital Education Action Plan, and DigComp 2.2;
• Improved resilience and readiness for digital transformation, empowering institutions and individuals to lead rather than follow in the age of AI.

The Forward AIe Skills project is strategically designed to deliver on all expected impacts outlined in the Erasmus+ Forward call:

• Structured and up-to-date overview of good practices: Through WP3 (Research, Mapping & AI Competence Framework) and WP4 (Pilots), the project will produce a comprehensive mapping of current Generative AI applications in teaching, learning, and assessment. The resulting synthesis report and taxonomy of best practices will be disseminated across EU networks, informing both Member States and education stakeholders.
• Enhanced understanding of challenges and success factors: WP3 and WP4 activities will generate empirical insights into the technological, pedagogical, and legal dimensions of GenAI deployment. Evaluation tools and case studies will capture barriers, enablers, and critical design principles to inform future implementations.
• Wider uptake of ethical and pedagogical AI practices: WP2 (Ethical Guidelines), WP4 (Pilots), and WP5 (Capacity Building) will develop, test and promote innovative, inclusive and evidence-based methods for integrating AI into education. These will be tailored to diverse contexts including Higher Education, VET and adult learning, ensuring relevance and uptake.
• Institutional adoption and scaling of quality AI use: Through targeted microcredentials, institutional toolkits, and pilot implementations, the project supports the organisational readiness and capacity of education providers. This includes the development of strategic frameworks for AI adoption at the institutional level.
• Policy-informed outcomes: WP6 (Dissemination, Impact & Sustainability) will generate practice-based policy recommendations and contribute to EU-level dialogues via platforms such as FOREU4ALL, HEInnovate and Digital Education Hub. All policy outputs will align with the AI Act, GDPR, and the Ethical Guidelines on AI and Data in Education (2022), ensuring regulatory compliance and practical relevance.
• Leveraging key EU frameworks: The project is directly informed by the Ethical Guidelines on the Use of AI and Data in Teaching and Learning for Educators (2022) and aligned with the Digital Competence Framework 2.2 (DigComp 2.2). It builds on previous EU-funded actions and will integrate lessons learned into a sustainable European model.

Together, these deliverables ensure that Forward AIe Skills contributes not only to immediate improvements in AI readiness across Europe’s education systems, but also to long-term structural change aligned with the EU’s vision for ethical, inclusive, and future-proof education.

Target Groups and Concrete Benefits

The Forward AIe Skills project has been carefully designed to meet the needs of key target groups across the education and innovation ecosystem. It takes a multi-level approach that combines direct training and capacity-building with institutional and systemic change. By tailoring its activities and outputs to the realities of each group, the project ensures both short-term benefits and long-term impact.

Educators and Trainers (VET and HEI):

Teachers, trainers and academic staff will gain:

• Practical competences to integrate GenAI tools into teaching and assessment;
• Access to a structured training programme, including self-assessment tools, learning modules and real-case scenarios;
• Professional recognition through digital micro-credentials and participation in communities of practice.

As a result, educators will move from experimental or hesitant use of AI to confident, strategic and responsible adoption, improving both teaching quality and alignment with labour market needs.

Learners and Young Professionals:

Students and early-career professionals — including underrepresented groups such as women in STEM or learners in rural areas — will benefit from:

• Hands-on, inclusive learning experiences that reflect real-world GenAI tools and challenges;
• Improved AI and digital competences, enhancing their employability and critical understanding of AI in society.

This project empowers learners as digital citizens, closing digital gaps and preparing them for meaningful engagement in an AI-driven economy.

Educational Institutions (VET Providers and HEIs):

Schools, universities and training centres will:

• Integrate ready-to-use resources, such as the AIe Competency Framework, curriculum guides and policy templates;
• Strengthen their institutional strategies for digital innovation and capacity-building;
• Increase alignment with EU initiatives (e.g. HEInnovate, Digital Education Hub).

The above mentioned leads to structural embedding of AIe practices across teaching, governance and quality assurance systems.

Industry and Labour Market Actors:

Companies, sectoral bodies and employers will benefit from:

• Access to AI-skilled talent emerging from GenAI-enhanced education;
• Opportunities to collaborate on curriculum innovation and pilot testing;
• Adaptable training models for workforce upskilling and reskilling.

The project fosters better alignment between education and labour market needs, narrowing the digital skills gap.

Policy Makers and Public Authorities:

At regional, national and EU level, policymakers and public authorities will gain:

• Evidence-based tools and recommendations to support responsible GenAI integration;
• Access to tested models and impact data for shaping inclusive education and skills strategies;
• Contribution to broader frameworks such as the AI Act, Digital Education Action Plan, and European Skills Agenda.

This enhances policy coherence and reinforces the link between education, innovation and social inclusion.

Impact at System Level

The  Forward AIe Skills project is strategically positioned to contribute to system-level change in digital education. It builds on the strategic experience and partnerships of its consortium, drawing from years of active engagement in several and diverse networks, initiatives, policy platforms, as well as in European alliances. By combining innovative practice, strong stakeholder involvement and alignment with EU priorities, the project acts both as a product of this ecosystem and as a driver of transformation — reinforcing the resilience and adaptability of Europe’s education and training systems.

1. Contribution to European Priorities and Frameworks

The project responds directly to key EU agendas:

• The Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027, by fostering AI literacy and digital pedagogical innovation;
• The AI Act and Ethical Guidelines on AI in Education, through the development of practical, ethical and inclusive tools;
• The DigComp 2.2 framework, by supporting competence development among educators and learners;
• The European Skills Agenda, via reskilling and upskilling pathways in GenAI.

These alignments ensure that the project’s outputs reinforce both national and EU-wide efforts to promote inclusive, future-ready education systems.

2. Institutional Transformation and Policy Influence

 Forward AIe Skills creates conditions for long-term institutional change:

• It supports the integration of GenAI practices into curricula, staff development, and quality assurance systems;
• It delivers tested tools and models that can inform policy decisions and public investment;
• It actively contributes to mutual learning platforms such as HEInnovate, EURAXESS and the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

The project also draws strength from its partners’ institutional positioning.

System-level change requires coordinated action across sectors. The project:

• Connects education and industry to align learning with emerging skills needs;
• Engages EdTech providers, public authorities and civil society to co-create inclusive and relevant solutions;
• Tests its approaches across national contexts, reducing fragmentation and fostering a common European model for GenAI adoption.

These dynamics are reinforced through the participation in FOREU4ALL, which connects all 65+ European University Alliances and offers a strategic forum for dissemination and policy dialogue.

4. Evidence-Based Impact for System-Level Change

The project will generate concrete evidence to support transformation at scale, including:

• A comprehensive mapping of GenAI practices in education;
• Evaluation of pilot implementations in institutional settings;
• Policy briefs and guidance to inform reform and investment.

This evidence will feed into both policy and practice, strengthening the capacity of education systems to adapt and evolve in the face of technological change.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A strong and integrated Monitoring and Evaluation strategy lies at the heart of the Forward AIe Skills project. It ensures that activities and results are continuously assessed, improved and aligned with the project’s strategic goals. The monitoring and evaluation approach also functions as a learning mechanism, helping the consortium adapt in real time, demonstrate impact, and inform broader policy and practice.

1. Evaluation Framework and Objectives

The project will adopt a data-informed and participatory evaluation model, designed to:

• Monitor the achievement of objectives and deliverables;

• Assess the quality, relevance and effectiveness of activities and outputs;

• Evaluate both short-term results and long-term changes, across individual, institutional and systemic levels;

• Generate evidence for scalability and policy uptake.

This framework will combine quantitative indicators, qualitative insights and stakeholder feedback to provide a comprehensive view of impact.

2. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To ensure clarity and alignment across all phases of the project, a set of measurable indicators has been defined. These KPIs reflect the expected short-, medium- and long-term effects described earlier, and provide a clear basis for ongoing monitoring and final evaluation.

These indicators will be tracked using both quantitative and qualitative methods, and disaggregated by relevant criteria such as country, gender, type of institution and stakeholder group.

3. Methods of Data Collection and Analysis

The project will combine multiple methods to gather and interpret data:

• Surveys and questionnaires, for direct feedback from learners, educators and stakeholders;
• Pre/post assessments, to track knowledge, attitudes and skills development;
• Focus groups and interviews, for qualitative depth;
• Platform analytics, to assess usage and engagement with digital tools;
• Case studies, to document implementation processes and success factors.

Regular review cycles will be embedded to allow for iterative improvement and evidence-informed decision-making.

4. Internal and External Evaluation Roles

To ensure objectivity and accountability:

• An internal quality team will coordinate continuous monitoring across work packages;
• An external evaluator will conduct mid-term and final reviews, offering an independent assessment of progress, challenges and outcomes.

This dual approach ensures both ownership and transparency.

5. Feedback Loops and Learning

Evaluation will not be a static or one-time task — it will function as an active learning mechanism:

• Stakeholder feedback will inform the refinement of tools and activities;
• Monitoring results will guide dissemination, exploitation and policy engagement;
• The evaluation system will remain active beyond the project, through follow-up with participating institutions and stakeholders.

Exploitation and Sustainability

The Forward AIe Skills project is designed to generate high-impact, transferable and scalable outputs that will be actively used by both consortium partners and external stakeholders well beyond the project’s duration. Its key resources — including AI-integrated vocational training modules, a digital skills framework, policy recommendations and an AI adoption roadmap — will be embedded into the institutional strategies of partner organisations and made available as open-access assets to support broader uptake.

Strategic Integration of Results

All core deliverables — including the AIe Competency Framework, training modules, guidelines and self-assessment tools — are developed to be:

• Transferable across educational levels and institutional types;
• Modular and scalable, allowing flexible uptake;
• Open-access, ensuring wide availability and use.

These outputs will support curriculum reform, teacher training, and institutional innovation in line with European priorities, such as the Digital Education Action Plan, the AI Act, and national strategies for GenAI integration.

Pathways for Broader Uptake

The project foresees multiple routes for adoption and long-term use:

• Uptake by external HEIs, VET providers, and training centres via public repositories and knowledge-sharing events;
• Integration of the AIe Framework into institutional strategies and quality assurance processes;
• Alignment with reference tools such as HEInnovate, DigComp and the Ethical Guidelines on AI in Education;
• Engagement with EU-level platforms and networks (e.g. FOREU4ALL, EURAXESS, Digital Education Hub) to broaden reach and policy relevance.

These pathways support sustained adoption of results across diverse educational contexts.

From Co-Creation to Ownership

The exploitation strategy is grounded in co-creation with end users, ensuring that educators, learners, policy actors and industry stakeholders are actively involved in testing, feedback and refinement. This participatory process promotes early buy-in and facilitates institutional embedding of project outcomes.

Link to Communication and Sustainability Strategies

While this section outlines the exploitation vision, it is complemented by two key dimensions:

• The Communication and Dissemination Plan (see section 3.2), which ensures visibility, accessibility and stakeholder engagement throughout the project;
• The Sustainability Strategy (see section 3.3), which details the operational, institutional and financial mechanisms that will support the long-term continuity of results.

Together, these elements form a coherent pathway to maximise the value, relevance and impact of the project beyond its formal duration.

Wider Impact and Ambition

Beyond the measurable results and institutional changes outlined earlier, the Forward AIe Skills project aspires to contribute to a broader movement of responsible, inclusive and values-driven AI adoption in education. Its ambition is not only to respond to existing needs, but to help shape the future direction of digital education in Europe.

Positioning within a European Ecosystem of Change

The project is aligned with — and contributes to — an evolving European landscape that values ethical innovation, cooperation and forward-thinking education. It does so by:

• Promoting shared values of equity, inclusion and digital responsibility;

• Encouraging institutions and individuals to think critically and act ethically in the face of emerging technologies;

• Supporting the co-construction of a European vision for AI in education, grounded in practice, research and lived experience.

Leveraging Strategic “Platforms” for Long-Term Reach

The project will benefit from the active involvement of partners embedded in strategic European networks, such as:

• Erasmus+ University Alliances, namely the ACE2-EU European University Alliance, led by IPSantarém; and also the NEOLAiA European University Alliance led by the University of Jaén; In addition, FOREU4ALL as the forum where +65 European University Alliances take place.

• Platforms / Foruns / Initiatives like HEInnovate, EURAXESS and New European Bauhaus (NEB), which serve as channels to disseminate, validate and scale innovation.

These connections ensure that project insights enter mainstream conversations about the future of learning and digital transformation in Europe.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Policy and Practice

The most enduring impact of Forward AIe Skills will be its contribution to a cultural shift — helping education systems not only adopt GenAI, but to do so in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and institutionally grounded. It offers:

• A blueprint for responsible GenAI integration;

• A space for mutual learning between institutions, sectors and countries;

• A contribution to the policy imagination needed to govern AI in ways that align with European values.

 

Communication and dissemination plan 

To ensure broad visibility, engagement and long-term impact, the Forward AIe Skills project will implement a structured, multi-faceted dissemination strategy targeting educators, HEI and VET providers, enterprises, policy makers and the general public. The plan is designed to maximise the uptake of the project results and ensure that AI skills become an integral part of VET, HEI and workforce development.

1. Target audiences and key messages

Dissemination activities will be tailored to specific stakeholder groups, ensuring that messages and formats are appropriate to their needs and expectations:

Target Group	Key Messages	Engagement Methods
Educators & Trainers	How to integrate AI into teaching; Access to training modules & AI toolkits	Workshops, webinars, Train-the-Trainers sessions, online repository
Learners & Young Professionals	AI career pathways; Digital skills development	AIe learning modules, career fairs, gamified e-learning experiences
Industry & Enterprises	AI applications for workforce upskilling; Industry-driven training programs	Industry roundtables, collaboration forums, white papers
Policymakers & Government Bodies	AI skills for the future of work; Policy recommendations for digital transformation	Policy briefings, stakeholder roundtables, reports
General Public & Civil Society	Raising awareness of AI in education & jobs	Social media, public events, online campaigns

Dissemination: Strategic communication to maximise outreach 

A comprehensive dissemination and communication plan will be implemented to ensure that project outcomes reach policy makers, VET providers, enterprises, industry professionals and young learners. The plan will use a multi-channel approach, making use of different means and at different stages.

Phase 1: Awareness & Engagement (Months 1-6)

• Project website & open access platform → centralised access to educational materials, reports and policy guidelines to address all target groups and communities. It is already online at https://aieskills.ipsantarem.pt (Target: 5,000+ unique visitors by project end)
• Social media campaigns (LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) → Regular updates, testimonials and interactive discussions, addressing all target groups and communities. (Target: 500+ followers)
• Kick-off Webinar → Introducing the project to stakeholders (Target: 50+ participants).

Phase 2: Knowledge Transfer & Policy Influence (Months 6-24)

• Workshops & Webinars for Educators → Capacity-building sessions. (Target: 40+ educators trained).
• Public AIe conferences → showcasing results to academia, industry, and civil society (Target: 4+ conferences, 40+ attendees per event).
• Industry & policy collaboration events → Engaging enterprises and policymakers on AI skills integration (Target:  20+ companies reached and 10+ decision-makers).

Phase 3: Sustainability & Legacy (Months 24-36 & Beyond)

• Scientific publications and white papers → Ensuring research-based dissemination to the academic and policy communities. (5+ papers and/or handbooks)
• AIe Skills Repository → An open-access library of training materials (Target: 500+ accesses).
• Ongoing Digital Community Engagement → Sustained interaction through LinkedIn groups and an AI education network.

 

Dissemination Tools and Formats

Dissemination Tool	Format	Target audiences
Website & Digital Repository	Online platform	All Target groups and stakeholders
Social Media Channels	Posts, videos, infographics	General public, educators, industry
Workshops & Webinars	Interactive training sessions	Educators, trainers, enterprises
Industry & policy collaboration	Open discussions	Enterprises, policymakers
Aie Conferences	Academic & industry presentations	VET and HEI sectors, enterprises, academia

As seen, each dissemination activity will be mapped to specific audiences and objectives to ensure timely and effective outreach. Dissemination partners will track engagement metrics (e.g. website traffic, event attendance, usage of project outputs) to refine strategies over time.

Responsible Partners and Their Dissemination Expertise

All partners will actively contribute to dissemination activities, using their specific expertise and networks to maximise the visibility and impact of the project. Each institution brings unique strengths in areas such as vocational education and training (VET), industry collaboration, digital transformation and policy advocacy. Through a collaborative approach, the partners will ensure that dissemination reaches the right stakeholders through the most effective channels.

Their tasks will include promoting the project results through national and European networks, organising sector-specific events, engaging with policy makers and companies, and ensuring the integration of AI skills into educational curricula and workforce training programmes. By combining their efforts, the consortium will ensure that dissemination activities are comprehensive, impactful and aligned with the strategic objectives of the project.

Sustainability and Post-Project Dissemination

In order to sustain dissemination beyond the end of the project, we will

• Maintain the digital repository for long-term access to AI training materials.
• Continue social media engagement through a dedicated AIe Skills network.
• Pursue EU & national funding to expand AI integration in VET.
• Ensure institutional adoption by embedding AIe modules in curricula.