On 26–29 January 2026, the official kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Supporting European SMEs in improving onboarding procedures to defeat turnover and become more resilient (OnBoard)” took place in Potenza, Italy, hosted by Exeo Lab, the project’s lead partner.

Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, OnBoard brings together organisations from Italy, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovenia and Spain. The consortium combines expertise in vocational education and training (VET), consultancy, SME support, organisational development and innovation to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe: high staff turnover and ineffective onboarding practices.

The project’s mission is to strengthen SME competitiveness by transforming onboarding from a simple administrative procedure into a strategic organisational process. By developing innovative training pathways, digital tools and practical resources for HR professionals and entrepreneurs, OnBoard aims to increase SMEs’ attractiveness to young talent, enhance employee retention and reinforce long-term organisational resilience.

During the meeting in Potenza, partners presented their organisations and clarified their roles within the project structure. Discussions focused on the implementation of the main work packages, including project management, quality assurance, knowledge acquisition and communication and dissemination activities. The consortium defined coordination mechanisms, reporting procedures and the first operational milestones to ensure effective collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

The kick-off meeting marked a significant step in building a shared European vision for modern, sustainable onboarding practices. It confirmed the partners’ joint commitment to supporting SMEs in adapting to evolving labour market demands and in building stronger, more resilient teams across Europe.