Superheroes, Sidekicks and a Shared Mission: Paths2Work Kicks Off

Project managers and job coaches from the Paths2Work project came together on 21 September 2026 for the project’s kick-off meeting, marking the beginning of cross-border collaboration. The event laid the foundation for joint project activities and the development of an international network for job coaches.

Discovering the Superpowers Within the Team

During the meeting in Zoom, participants got to know each other, explored the project’s objectives and work packages, and learned more about the partner organisations involved in the project.

To break the ice, participants introduced themselves through the lens of a superhero exercise. The exercise highlighted the diverse strengths within the project team. Among the many superpowers discovered were super listening powers, idea generators, bridge architects, and deadline whisperers. Participants also reflected on what kind of sidekick each superhero would need to successfully complete their mission. By the end of the exercise, everyone had found the support they needed, and the project team was ready to take on the challenge of creating a more inclusive and sustainable world of work.

Building an International Network for Job Coaches

The kick-off meeting also looked ahead to one of the project’s key development activities: establishing an international network for job coaches. The network will provide a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and identifying good practices across countries. It will play an important role in supporting mutual learning and the transfer of successful approaches between Finland and Estonia, helping partners adapt and implement the project’s methods in different contexts.

Participants worked in break out rooms to generate ideas for the future network and discussed what would make it valuable for job coaches and their organisations. The discussions produced many promising ideas that will be further developed during the project’s first international partner meeting in December.

As part of the kick-off, participants were also introduced to the newly launched Coaches Hub, a dedicated Howspace online platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the project. The Hub will support communication between partners, provide access to project materials, and serve as a platform for exchanging experiences, ideas, and good practices. It will also play a key role in strengthening the international job coach network and supporting cross-border learning during the project.

The first steps on the shared journey has now been taken. With a strong team, a common goal, and plenty of enthusiasm, Paths2Work is off to a promising start!