Shaping the Skill Agenda Together
Bringing Global Experience Home
A community-based model for expat engagement and informal learning
Overview
What has been done
As part of the x-Inno Radar pilot Expats for Home, Kovačnica tested several formats designed to connect internationally experienced Slovenians with the local community through soft skills development and knowledge exchange. Activities included a radio interview with a Slovenian living abroad, the hands-on pastry Sweet Workshop, and an x-Talk event featuring an internationally experienced professional. Through workshops, storytelling and informal discussions, participants gained new perspectives and inspiration from international experience. The Sweet Workshop is presented in more detail below as an example of one of the pilot’s most transferable formats.
Why was it needed locally
The Gorenjska region has limited opportunities for informal learning and direct exchange with internationally experienced professionals. Many people outside larger cities rarely have access to international career perspectives and authentic stories from abroad. The pilot addressed this gap through community-based activities that connected local participants with internationally experienced Slovenians. It also explored how expats can contribute to regional development as mentors, inspiration sources and knowledge carriers through informal learning, storytelling and community-based engagement formats.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Regional society – General public from the Gorenjska region interested in soft skills and international experiences.
Activation: Participants were reached through social media, newsletters and Kovačnica communication channels. The informal and hands-on format made the event approachable and attractive.
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Social media promotion
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Newsletter communication
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Existing partner networks
Benefit: Participants gained international perspectives and practical insights through direct interaction with an expat professional. The workshop also encouraged openness, networking and informal soft skill learning.
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Informal networking opportunities
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Increased community engagement
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Exchange of practical experiences
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Soft skill development
Creative SME – Creative and hospitality professionals connected to the regional creative ecosystem.
Activation: Creative professionals were invited through local networks and personal contacts. The practical workshop format and internationally experienced guest increased interest and participation.
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Existing partner networks
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Community-based outreach
Benefit: Creative professionals gained inspiration from international career experiences and informal peer exchange. The event also promoted collaboration and visibility within the regional creative community.
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Strengthened regional cooperation
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Informal peer exchange
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New business connections and networking
Professional network – Slovenians living abroad, returnees and internationally experienced professionals connected to the Gorenjska region.
Activation: Participants were identified through the pilot’s expat mapping activities and through cooperation with VTIS. Personal invitations and existing professional networks were used to encourage participation.
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Expact database via VTIS cooperation
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Personal invitations
Benefit: Expats had an opportunity to share their experiences, knowledge and professional insights with local communities. The pilot also strengthened their connection with the region and created opportunities for future collaboration.
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Opportunity to reconnect with the region
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Opportunity to share knowledge and experiences
Resources Required
Staff
Facilitators with event organisation, community engagement and moderation skills.
5–7 staff days for preparation, coordination, promotion and implementation.
Space
Kovačnica Kranj, business incubator: Professional kitchen with workshop space.
Equipment
Kitchen appliances, baking tools and workstations.
Budget
Small: below 2,000 €
Budget of 500 € - 1.000 € covering workshop materials, kitchen appliances and payment for the culinary workshop facilitator.
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Workshop:
Participants explored communication, creativity, confidence and intercultural awareness through hands-on activities and direct exchange with expat professionals. The Sweet Workshop was implemented within this format.
Methods used: Learning by doing: Participants developed soft skills through practical pastry-making activities while working together, communicating and solving small challenges in real time.Storytelling: The guest openly shared personal experiences about living and working abroad, creating an authentic and relatable learning environment.
Campaign:
The pilot used media and outreach activities to raise awareness about the value of international experience and soft skills development. Through radio appearances, promotion and expat mapping, the pilot reached audiences beyond the workshop participants and encouraged wider community engagement.
Methods used: Radio podcast: A radio interview with a Slovenian living abroad shared international experiences and soft skills insights with a broader audience. The format helped make the pilot accessible to people who could not attend events in person.Expat Mapping: The pilot identified and engaged internationally experienced Slovenians connected to the Gorenjska region. This created a foundation for future collaboration, mentoring and community activities.
Network / platform:
The pilot created opportunities for direct exchange between local residents and internationally experienced Slovenians through the x-Talk format – an inspiring speaker session featuring professionals with international experience. These events combined motivational talks, personal stories and open discussions, encouraging participants to explore new perspectives on careers, soft skills and life beyond borders.
Methods used: Inspiring Speaker Sessions: Internationally experienced professionals shared personal stories, career journeys and lessons learned from living and working abroad. The format combined inspiration with practical insights and encouraged participants to reflect on their own personal and professional development.Open Dialogue & Networking: Following the talks, participants engaged in informal discussions and networking with the speakers. This created opportunities for peer learning, questions, knowledge exchange and new community connections.
Steps taken
PLANNING
1 week
- Format design: Define project concept, timeline and structure.
- Budget planning: Define overall budget and pricing if you intend to charge for the workshop.
- Application format setup: Define how participants sign up for the workshop (Google form, direct email ...).
IDENTIFY SUITABLE EXPAT SPEAKER
1 week
- Database setup: Prepare and organise a database of professionals living abroad (VTIS).
- Map suitable expat profiles: Identify internationally experienced professionals with a strong personal story and connection to the region.
- Contact and onboard the speaker: Coordinate availability, workshop expectations, discussion themes and practical requirements with the selected expat.
WORKSHOP LOGISTICS & EQUIPMENT
1 week
- Secure suitable venue: Secure a venue with enough space for practical work and informal networking.
- Prepare equipment: Check appliances, utensils, ingredients and workstations before implementation.
PROMOTION
- Promotional materials: Design posters, visuals and social media templates.
- Promote through networks: Share workshop event via website, social media and partners.
- Send confirmation email: Send participants a confirmation email with practical information about the event (date, time, location, parking and workshop details).
IMPLEMENT THE WORKSHOP
1 day (4 hours)
- Facilitate hands-on workshop: Guide participants through practical hands-on activities in a collaborative setting.
- Moderate informal discussions: Encourage open conversations about international careers, challenges of living abroad and personal growth.
- Create networking opportunities: Provide time and space for informal exchange between participants and the guest speaker.
REFLECTION
1 week
- Collect participant feedback: Gather reflections, impressions and suggestions for future events.
- Create communication outputs: Prepare photos, social media posts and event highlights for dissemination.
- Maintain expat contacts: Keep communication with expats and stakeholders for future cooperation and mentoring opportunities.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Ex-pat integration: Pilot engaged 3 internationally experienced Slovenians through 3 different formats: a radio interview, an x-Talk speaker session and the Sweet Workshop. More than 40 participants directly interacted with expats, demonstrating how international experience can contribute to regional development through storytelling, knowledge sharing and community.
- Improved transversal skills: Participants strengthened transversal skills such as communication, confidence, intercultural awareness and adaptability through workshops, discussions and direct interaction with internationally experienced professionals. The pilot successfully tested 3 different learning formats.
- Stakeholder awareness / network extensions: The pilot raised awareness about the value of international experience, soft skills and informal learning within the Gorenjska region. It highlighted the potential role of expats as mentors, speakers and contributors to local community and regional development initiatives.
Indirect Impacts
The pilot strengthened connections between the local community and internationally experienced Slovenians connected to the Gorenjska region. It increased awareness of the value of international experience, soft skills and informal learning as tools for regional development. Through cooperation with organisations such as VTIS and the creation of an expat contact network, the pilot established a foundation for future mentoring, networking and knowledge-sharing activities.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Future expat-led workshop series: Kovačnica plans to continue organising expat-led workshops and networking events combining soft skill development, informal learning and international experience sharing.
- Integration into regional soft skill activities: The tested format will be used as inspiration for future regional soft skill and entrepreneurship activities organised by Kovačnica and project partners.
- Transferable learning format: The pilot format can be replicated with different expats, professions and themes, making it a transferable model for community-based soft skill learning in other regions.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participants responded positively to all pilot activities, particularly appreciating the authentic personal stories, informal atmosphere and direct interaction with internationally experienced professionals. The combination of practical learning, inspiring talks and open discussions created an engaging and accessible experience.
Satisfaction - Details
- Positive participant feedback: More than 90% of participants evaluated the experience positively, especially highlighting the informal atmosphere, practical activities and direct interaction with the guest speaker. Participants appreciated the authentic and relatable discussion format.
- Strong interest for future events: Participants expressed a strong desire for more expat-led workshops and informal networking formats in the future. Several participants highlighted that this type of learning experience feels more engaging and accessible than traditional lectures.
- Value of authentic storytelling: The honesty and openness of the guest regarding career challenges, life abroad and returning to Slovenia were repeatedly highlighted as key added value. Participants especially appreciated hearing realistic experiences instead of idealised success stories.
Transfer Hints
- Keep the format small and interactive: Smaller groups encourage discussion, questions and networking. Participants felt more comfortable sharing thoughts and interacting directly with the guest speaker.
- Create a relaxed atmosphere: Informal environments support open conversation and spontaneous learning. The networking and community aspect was as valuable as the workshop itself.
- Choose authentic expat speakers: Select expats who are open, relatable and willing to share both positive and difficult experiences. Honest storytelling creates trust and stronger participant engagement.
- Different workshop activities: Practical activities can be adapted to local interests and available facilities, such as cooking, creative workshops or maker activities.
- Event duration: The workshop can be shorter or expanded into a multi-session programme depending on resources and participant interest.
- Venue flexibility: A professional kitchen worked well for this event, but the format can also be organised in co-working spaces, makerspaces or community centres.
- Don’t overcrowd the event: Too many participants reduce interaction and make networking more difficult. Smaller groups create a better learning experience.
- Check equipment before the workshop: Test all kitchen appliances and tools before the event starts (e.g. batteries, mixers, rolling pins and other equipment). Small technical problems can quickly interrupt the workshop flow and participant experience.
- Don’t focus only on success stories: Participants appreciated hearing realistic challenges and failures, not only polished career achievements.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Maruša Bonča
Email: marusa.bonca@bsc-kranj.si
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
Email
This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative