On February 17–18, 2026, the 3rd Consortium Meeting was held in physical format within the Erasmus+ UPGRADE – Enhancing Graduates’ Employability Tracking in Moldova project (Ref. No. 101129166). The event was hosted by Moldova State University (MSU) and brought together all project partners to review progress achieved and to plan the next stages of implementation.
A key highlight of the meeting was the official confirmation that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) approved the amendment regarding the extension of the project duration. The amendment was successfully signed between EACEA and the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), as the coordinating institution, extending the total project duration to 48 months, with completion scheduled for October 2028. In this context, the coordinating institution presented the updated operational plan, extended by an additional 12 months and aligned with the revised strategic priorities.
The first day focused on achievements accomplished to date. Work Package leaders presented results obtained within each Work Package, including deliverables developed and reported to the European Commission, which were successfully accepted. Continuous progress was highlighted in the development of national methodologies for graduate employability monitoring and in strengthening institutional mechanisms supporting graduates’ professional integration.
The second day was dedicated to financial management and internal quality assurance. Budget implementation, reporting mechanisms, and performance indicators were reviewed, along with the approved operational plan for the next 12 months. Strategic priorities for the upcoming period include the completion and consolidation of activities related to Institutional Career Guidance Centers (WP4) and the development of the national legislative framework for graduate employability monitoring (WP3). The importance of dissemination and exploitation activities was also emphasized, ensuring the visibility, transferability, and sustainability of UPGRADE results at both institutional and national levels.
The UPGRADE project continues to demonstrate strong professionalism, is being implemented without delays, and benefits from the full support of Moldovan higher education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the European partner institutions involved.