The 2nd European Conference “Skills in the EU Defence Ecosystem,” co-organised by the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association (SEKPY) and the European Commission, was concluded with outstanding success.

The conference took place at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall over two days, November 26–27, 2024, under the auspices of the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) of the European Commission and within the framework of the European Network of Defence-Related Regions (ENDR).

The event focused on promoting collaboration among regional authorities, clusters, and organisations across Europe, aiming to enhance skills and innovation in the defence sector.

The agenda included roundtable discussions on workforce skill development in the defence industry, as well as dedicated sessions addressing challenges and proposing solutions to improve Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’ (SMEs) access to European funding.

Special emphasis was placed on bridging academia and industry through expert presentations and discussions. At the same time, the conference offered unique networking opportunities, connecting participants with leading executives, experts, and professionals in the field.

Participants included representatives from diverse sectors such as defence industries, research centres, academic and military institutions, centres of excellence, government agencies, and Armed Forces personnel.

Cyprus was represented by Dr. Panayiotis Hadjipavlis, Director of Defence of the Directorate of General Procurement and Defence Capabilities Development of the Ministry of Defence, as well as Dr. Panayiotis Philimis, Founder and President at CyRIC Cyprus Research & Innovation Centre and Vice-President of the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE).

Overall, the conference served as a forum for exchanging best practices and strategies aimed at increasing the competitiveness of human resources within the European defence ecosystem, offering valuable perspectives for the future of the industry we serve.

It is worth noting that the 3rd iteration of the Conference shall take place in Toulon, France, in April 2025.

Finally, it is important to note that SEKPY and its Hungarian counterpart, DIAH, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the conference.

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