"One Morning, We Will Wake Up and Realize the War Is Over"

European SafeSkills Project Gathers Security Experts in Tampere.

Shortly after Midsummer, the European SafeSkills project brought together security professionals from five countries – Finland, Poland, France, Spain, and Ukraine – to Tampere. The international workshop focused on addressing current challenges in the security sector and promoting cross-border cooperation.

In a moment that stood out during the discussions, Valentyn Bogaychuk from the Odesa Region Development Agency offered calm and reassuring words to his European colleagues, reflecting the spirit of resilience and collaboration that the project aims to foster.

Across Europe, the need to respond to a rapidly changing security landscape, growing cybersecurity threats, and a shortage of skilled professionals has been widely recognized. The participation of the Odesa region in the EU-funded Interreg project is a clear signal that the civilized world is already preparing for the moment when the war in Ukraine ends—and when the country’s reconstruction will demand broad international cooperation. Notably, the region’s involvement in SafeSkills marks its first-ever participation in a European Interreg project.

Experts from five countries participating in the SafeSkills project are learning from each other, sharing effective practices, and working together in multiple ways to address the growing shortage of skilled professionals in Europe’s security sector.

“This is the first time the Odesa Region Development Agency is participating in an Interreg programme. For us, it’s a great opportunity to gain European experience,” said Valentyn Bogaychuk, a representative of the Odesa Region Development Agency, who took part in the workshop.

Team Spirit and Trust Drove the Workshop Forward

The first joint workshop, hosted in Tampere by Business Tampere, was marked by a strong sense of community and mutual trust. The programme included experience sharing, group work, and exploration of regional solutions implemented in the Tampere urban area.

In addition to laying the foundation for the long-term project’s structure, the agenda featured a visit to the Police University College and a presentation by Unikie, a company showcasing its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

Workshops and Learning Visits to Continue Across Partner Countries

In the coming years, the SafeSkills project will continue with a series of learning visits and workshops in each of the participating countries. Every partner will host an event focusing on the specific challenges and solutions of their region.

The SafeSkills project is coordinated by Business Tampere and funded by the Interreg Europe programme. Finnish partners include the Baltic Institute of Finland and the Council of Tampere Region, alongside several regional and urban development organizations from across Europe.