We’re delighted to welcome you to IMPACT – Integrating reMote Professionals for Action in Community Transformation.
IMPACT is an ambitious Erasmus+ initiative with a simple but powerful idea at its heart: Remote work gives us freedom and flexibility and with intention, it gives us the opportunity to give back to our local communities. By connecting remote professionals with rural social enterprises, we’re turning skills, experience, and time into meaningful community action.
Working across Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, and Spain, the project brings together remote professionals (RPs) and rural social enterprises (SEs) to address real community challenges, reduce skills gaps, and foster a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. This will be achieved through three core innovations:
- Competency Mapping and skills gap analysis
- a Competency-Based Training Model designed to support long-term impact
- an AI-driven Digital Matchmaking Platform
IMPACT began with a face-to-face kick-off meeting at Hub Nicosia’s office in Cyprus, bringing all partners together to align our vision, confirm roles, and set the foundations for collaboration. This in-person start captured the spirit of the project building strong connections from day one.
Work Package 2: Building the Foundations – Methodology & Impact
Work Package 2 lays the groundwork for everything that follows. This phase focuses on developing the IMPACT Methodological Framework and Impact Profile, ensuring the project is firmly rooted in evidence, real needs, and practical insight.
Right now, the partnership is deeply engaged in gathering and analysing data that will shape the training, platform, and engagement models across the project.
What’s happening in WP2?
- Competency Mapping: We are building a comprehensive skills database, mapping the competencies of up to 500 remote professionals alongside the needs of 250 rural social enterprises.
- Skills Gap Analysis: This data will inform a Transnational Skills Gap Analysis Report, providing the evidence base for designing the training model in the next phase.
By grounding IMPACT in real-world needs, this work ensures that remote professionals are not just “matched” to communities, but meaningfully integrated contributing skills that matter while developing a stronger sense of connection and purpose.
We’re now inviting remote professionals, social enterprises, and community organisations to actively support Work Package 2. You can get involved by completing our short skills survey and/or sharing it within your networks. Your input will directly shape the IMPACT training model and digital platform, ensuring they reflect real skills, real needs, and real community challenges.
Introducing the IMPACT Project
To take part, or to help disseminate the survey, please contact the IMPACT partner in your country:
Work Package 3: From Insight to Action – Training & Capacity Building
Work Package 3 is where research becomes reality. Using the insights from WP2, we are developing a Competency-Based Training Model that equips remote professionals to act as confident, capable community changemakers.
Key areas of focus include:
- Training Model Design: A structured learning pathway is being co-designed to support remote professionals in areas such as leadership, governance, community engagement, and social innovation. At least 60 pilot participants will take part in this phase.
- Capacity Building for Social Enterprises: Alongside this, we are developing a Train-the-Trainer framework and practical toolkits to help rural social enterprises successfully onboard, support, and collaborate with remote professionals.
This work strengthens both sides of the partnership enhancing social and intercultural competences, encouraging active civic participation, and supporting communities to make the most of distributed talent.
Work Package 4: Connecting People to Purpose – The Digital Platform
Work Package 4 brings IMPACT’s vision to life through technology. This is where we develop and launch the Digital Matchmaking & Engagement Platform the central hub of the IMPACT ecosystem.
What to expect from the platform:
- AI-Driven Matchmaking: The platform will intelligently connect remote professionals with social innovation projects that align with their skills, interests, and availability.
- Pilot Phase: Designed for up to 1,000 users, the platform aims to support at least 100 pilot matches during the project’s lifetime.
- Built to Last: A sustainability model is being embedded from the outset, ensuring the platform and its resources remain accessible through local learning centres and hubs long after the project ends.
By making skills visible, needs clear, and connections easy, the platform transforms professional isolation into meaningful social contribution while helping social enterprises work more efficiently and effectively.
If you are interested in learning more about the IMPACT project, please contact the IMPACT partner in your country:
- Ireland – Community Enterprise Association Ireland - siobhan@ceai.ie
- Germany – Association for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education - carol.daniels@associationeee.de
- Cyprus – Hub Nicosia - pm@hubnicosia.org
- Portugal – Social Innovation village - connect@innovationvillage.eu
- Spain – Grow Remote Spain - hola@nanoma.es