Project EAGLE Conference Highlights Collaborative Pathways to Strengthen SME Digital Capability 

Project EAGLE, the European digital upskilling project, recently hosted a conference entitled Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Empowering SMEs for the Future. The event, which took place at the University of Limerick (UL) on November 20th, marked the culmination of the three-year EU-funded initiative.  Project Eagle is one of a number of pan-European partnerships and consortia projects that Skillnet Ireland participates in to focus on digitalisation and the green transition in alignment with the foundations of the EU Recovery plan. 

Supported by Shannon Chamber Skillnet and Limerick Chamber Skillnet, the conference brought together leaders from industry, academia, and business support organisations to explore new strategies for enhancing SME digital capability across Europe. 

Launched in 2023 and funded by the Digital Europe Programme, Project EAGLE was created to help SMEs across Europe adapt to rapid digital change by identifying critical skills shortages and designing and delivering high-quality programmes to meet their needs. The consortium includes universities, business associations and SMEs across seven EU countries. Programmes offered under Project EAGLE cover areas such as cybersecurity, robotics, blockchain, data analytics and smart energy.  

A highlight of the conference was the launch of the Project EAGLE Recommendations for Community and Policymakers, which were presented by Florence Magee, Skillnet Ireland EU Projects and Partnerships Manager, and Sakshi Lamba, Skillnet Ireland EU Projects Specialist. The recommendations point to a shared opportunity for both communities and policymakers to accelerate SME digital adoption. They call for communities to strengthen impact through clearer local communication, co-created and flexible training, and sustained follow-up support. Meanwhile, policymakers are urged to reinforce this work by enabling long-term capacity building, recognising accredited training, and supporting cross-country collaboration. Together, these actions aim to create a stronger, more accessible environment for SMEs to thrive in a digital economy aligned with EU objectives.  

Commenting on the impact of the initiative, Florence Magee, Skillnet Ireland EU Projects and Partnerships Manager, said: “Project EAGLE has shown the power of collaboration in addressing the challenges associated with the digital skills gap. These recommendations are a roadmap for both communities and policymakers to create the conditions for long-term success.” 

The conference featured a workshop, facilitated by executive coach Áine Barry, which focused on preparing SMEs for a rapidly evolving digital future and sharing practical strategies to build digital capability. 

A keynote address by Tim Crowe, CEO of WrxFlo, explored the role of AI and supply-chain digitalisation in SME competitiveness. This was followed by a panel on Collaborating for Digital Success, moderated by David Moloney (Digital Skills Development Lead at UL), with contributions from Professor Martin Hayes (UL), Tim Crowe (CEO of WrxFlo), Michelle Guthrie (Skillnet Ireland Development Advisor), Kevin Geary (Director of Engineering & Strategic Projects, Croom Medical) and Shirley Walsh (CEO, Shannon Coiled Springs Ltd).  

Over its three-year span, Project EAGLE has demonstrated how meaningful collaboration between industry, higher-education institutions and training networks can help close the digital skills gap for SMEs. The final conference not only celebrated what has been achieved over the lifespan of the project, but set the stage for continued cooperation and long-term support for SME digital capability across Europe, helping build a future-ready, competitive, and inclusive workforce. 

Visit Project Eagle’s Recommendations for Community and Policymakers. 

Learn more about how Skillnet Ireland supports EU skills priorities: https://lnkd.in/eYbxgmd2.