LeadEx Study Visit to Estonia: Region of Murcia Advances Preparatory Work

The Lead Partner holds a coordination meeting to organise the first Study Visit scheduled for March 2026.

On Monday, 26 January 2026, the Region of Murcia, as Lead Partner of the LeadEx project, held a coordination meeting to advance the internal preparation of the project’s first Study Visit, which will take place in Estonia from 9 to 11 March 2026. The meeting brought together members of the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training involved in the project’s coordination and implementation.

The session focused on organising the preparatory work required to ensure a coherent and effective study visit, which will be dedicated to the analysis and exchange of good practices in Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Key aspects addressed during the meeting included the definition of learning objectives, the structure of the visit, and the alignment of messages and materials to be shared with partner regions and Estonian stakeholders.

As part of its role as Lead Partner, the Region of Murcia reviewed the coordination framework for the coming weeks, including internal task allocation, timelines, and the preparation of common guidelines and templates. These elements will support partner regions in contributing relevant inputs and ensure consistency throughout the study visit activities.

The meeting also served to assess the progress of the second semester of the project, which focuses on identifying and analysing good practices in teacher professional development. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to systematise evidence and lessons learned in order to maximise the impact of the study visit and subsequent policy learning phases.

This internal coordination meeting represents an important step in reinforcing the leadership role of the Region of Murcia within the LeadEx project. By strengthening internal alignment and planning, the Lead Partner continues to lay the groundwork for a meaningful and well-structured first Study Visit, supporting effective interregional learning and policy exchange at European level.

LeadEx Study Visit to Estonia Hosts Interregional Seminar on Teacher Professional Development

A delegation from the Region of Murcia, headed by the Secretary General of the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, takes part in a three-day programme of institutional exchanges, an interregional seminar and study visits in Tallinn.

From 9 to 11 March 2026, Tallinn hosted the first Study Visit of the LeadEx project, bringing together representatives from partner regions and European organisations to explore the Estonian education system and exchange experiences on continuous professional development (CPD) for teachers. The visit formed part of the policy learning activities foreseen within the project and offered participants the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the policies and practices that have positioned Estonia as one of Europe’s most innovative education systems.

The Region of Murcia, acting as Lead Partner of the LeadEx project, participated in the visit with a delegation from the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training headed by the Secretary General, reinforcing the region’s leadership role in coordinating the project and promoting interregional cooperation in education policy.

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Exploring the Estonian education system

The programme began on 9 March at Kultuurikatel, with the official opening led by representatives of the Estonian Education Quality Agency (HAKA). The first sessions provided participants with an overview of the Estonian education system—its development, current structure and future challenges. Experts from the Estonian education authorities presented the main features of the system and engaged in discussion with project partners on the key factors behind Estonia’s strong educational performance.

During the morning sessions, participants also reviewed the Joint Regional Educational Diagnosis Report, which analyses the current situation of teacher professional development across the participating regions. The discussion focused on identifying opportunities to improve policy instruments and strengthen cooperation between partner regions.

The afternoon included a Steering Committee meeting, chaired by the Region of Murcia in its role as Lead Partner. During the meeting, partners reviewed the progress of the project, discussed the next stages of implementation and coordinated upcoming activities. The day concluded with a guided visit to Tallinn’s historic old town, offering an opportunity for informal exchanges among participants.

Interregional seminar on teacher professional development

The second day of the visit was dedicated to an interregional seminar held at Tallinn University, focusing on teacher professional development and collaboration between education institutions.

Representatives from the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research presented an overview of national policies supporting teacher professional development, highlighting Estonia’s approach to lifelong learning for teachers and the importance of professional learning communities. Experts from Tallinn University also shared their experience in fostering collaboration between universities, schools and teachers in order to promote educational innovation and improve teaching practices.

The seminar included country presentations from several partner regions, including Spain, Denmark, Poland and Slovenia, allowing participants to present their own systems and exchange perspectives on common challenges in supporting teachers throughout their professional careers. The session concluded with workshops and a round-table discussion on how the lessons learned from Estonia could be adapted and transferred to the different regional contexts represented in the project.

Institutional visits and digital education initiatives

On 11 March, the programme continued with a series of institutional visits to key organisations within the Estonian education ecosystem. Project partners were divided into groups in order to gain a more detailed understanding of the institutions involved in educational policy, school development and quality assurance.

The group including the Spanish delegation visited the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, where discussions focused on educational leadership, teacher policies and the governance of the national education system. Participants then travelled to the Tallinn School of Service (TEKO), a vocational education and training institution, where they learned about Estonia’s approach to vocational education and the mechanisms used to ensure quality and relevance in training programmes.

The study visit concluded with a joint session on digital education initiatives organised by the Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO). During this session, participants explored Estonia’s strategies for integrating digital technologies into education and supporting schools and teachers in the development of digital competences.

Strengthening European cooperation in education policy

The study visit represented an important opportunity for policy learning, dialogue and collaboration among the LeadEx partners. Through presentations, institutional meetings and exchanges with Estonian experts, participants gained valuable insights into policies and practices that may inspire improvements in their own education systems.

For the Region of Murcia, the visit marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the LeadEx project, reinforcing its role as Lead Partner and contributing to the development of innovative approaches to teacher professional development and educational leadership across Europe.

LeadEx Coordination Meeting: Region of Murcia Sets the Roadmap for the Project’s Third Semester

The Lead Partner reviews progress achieved so far and establishes priorities for upcoming activities, with the Study Visit to Montenegro scheduled for October 2026 as a key milestone.

On Monday, 25 May 2026, the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of the Region of Murcia, acting as Lead Partner of the LeadEx project, held a coordination meeting aimed at defining the next phase of work and preparing the activities to be implemented during the project’s third semester. The meeting served as an opportunity not only to establish future priorities, but also to assess the progress achieved during previous stages of implementation and reinforce the project’s strategic direction.

The session brought together the key regional representatives involved in the project’s leadership and implementation, including Carmen María Zamora Párraga, Secretary General of the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training; María del Carmen Balsas Ramón, Director General of Human Resources, Educational Planning and Innovation; and Pedro Mondéjar Mateo, Director General of Attention to Diversity. Their participation reflected the institutional commitment of the Region of Murcia to the project and its objectives at both regional and European level.

Discussions focused on establishing the roadmap for the coming months and defining the actions that will guide implementation during the third semester. Particular attention was given to the upcoming Study Visit to Montenegro, scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 October 2026, which represents one of the major milestones of the project’s next phase. Preparatory work related to the visit, expected learning outcomes and partner coordination mechanisms were among the issues addressed during the meeting.

Alongside future planning, the session also provided an opportunity to review and consolidate the work carried out during previous semesters. Participants conducted a comprehensive assessment of progress achieved so far, examining the activities developed and reflecting on the lessons learned through the project implementation process. This review aimed to ensure continuity between previous achievements and future actions, while strengthening a common understanding among all stakeholders involved.

Special emphasis was placed on the identification and analysis of the good practice selected under the thematic area of Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence (IDE). Discussions explored the relevance of this practice within the broader objectives of the project, as well as its potential contribution to interregional learning and policy development processes. The exchange highlighted the importance of gathering evidence, documenting experiences and strengthening the transferability of innovative educational approaches among partner regions.

As Lead Partner, the Region of Murcia also reviewed the coordination framework for the upcoming period, including timelines, responsibilities and the alignment of project activities among participating regions. The meeting reinforced the importance of maintaining a structured and collaborative approach to ensure coherence across all project actions.

This coordination meeting represents another significant step in consolidating the leadership role of the Region of Murcia within the LeadEx project. By reviewing previous achievements while simultaneously setting the foundations for future activities, the Lead Partner continues to strengthen the conditions for effective cooperation, policy learning and the promotion of inclusive and excellent educational systems across Europe.

LeadEx Study Visit to Montenegro: Region of Murcia Finalises Preparations

The Lead Partner holds a coordination meeting to prepare its delegation for the Study Visit on Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Education, to be held in Budva and Kotor from 6 to 8 October 2026.

On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of the Region of Murcia, acting as Lead Partner of the LeadEx project, held a coordination meeting to prepare the regional delegation’s participation in the project’s next Study Visit, which will take place in Budva and Kotor (Montenegro) from 6 to 8 October 2026. Hosted by the Centre for Vocational Education of Montenegro, the visit will focus on Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence (IDE) in education.

The meeting was built around an information dossier and a presentation prepared specifically for the delegation. The Region of Murcia will be represented by a delegation headed by Carmen María Zamora Párraga, Secretary General of the Regional Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, together with Pedro Mondéjar Mateo, Director General of Attention to Diversity, technical staff from the Regional Ministry and a representative of Plena Inclusión Región de Murcia.

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The good practice the Region of Murcia will present

A central item on the agenda was the good practice that the Region of Murcia will share during the partners’ session on 6 October: its model of inclusive education, built on the INCLU-YO programme and the CREI network. The model reflects a shift in paradigm, moving away from a deficit-based approach towards the personalisation of learning and the full inclusion of all students.

INCLU-YO, in place since 2024, supports schools through the analysis of each school and classroom, inclusive school organisation and support sub-networks. Through the CREI, special education schools act as resource centres that advise mainstream schools, using in-classroom modelling as their core methodology. The results for the 2025–2026 school year illustrate the scale of this work:

Since English will be the working language throughout the visit, the delegation also reviewed the preparation of the presentation materials in English and the time allocated to the intervention.

A three-day programme in Budva and Kotor

Participants reviewed the final programme provided by the host organisation, which combines policy dialogue, exchanges between partners and institutional visits:

• Tuesday 6 October · Budva. Presentation of the Montenegrin education system — its past, present and future —, good practices from all partner countries, a visit to the “Danilo Kiš” Vocational Education Centre and the LeadEx Steering Committee meeting.
• Wednesday 7 October · Kotor and Budva. Institutional visits to the Faculty of Maritime Studies and the Maritime Institute in Kotor, focused on lifelong learning, the links between education and the labour market, and inclusion and access in higher and vocational education, followed by local good practices at the Knowledge Academy.
• Thursday 8 October · Budva. Sessions on digital education initiatives and on quality assurance and inclusive education, parallel workshops on inclusive policies and leadership and on innovation, digital tools and teacher competences, a presentation of the European tools SELFIE and SCAFFOLD, and a closing plenary: “What do we take home?”

Coordination and practical arrangements

The meeting also addressed the organisational aspects of the visit, including travel arrangements, accommodation, group transport between venues and the practical recommendations shared with all members of the delegation, such as travel insurance, mobile connectivity, working language and punctuality at the meeting points.

This coordination meeting marks the final stage of preparation for the next Study Visit of the LeadEx project. With a shared programme, clear roles and a good practice ready to be presented, the Region of Murcia reinforces its leadership as Lead Partner and its commitment to interregional learning on inclusive and excellent education systems. As the screen in the meeting room put it in three languages: “Montenegro, there we go!”