The TUTOR Final Conference, held on 21 November 2025 at the EVBB VET House in Brussels, brought together over 100 participants from across Europe, both online and in person, including teachers, policymakers, education providers, researchers, civil society organisations, and student advocates, for a dynamic exchange on the future of inclusive education. Organised by EVBB and EVTA, the event marked the conclusion of the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies project TUTOR – Teachers’ Upskilling Aiming at a Holistic Inclusivity in Learning.
The conference served as a platform to showcase the project’s main achievements. Opening the event, Project Coordinator Victoria Topalidi set the foundation by highlighting the urgent need to equip teachers for inclusive education in diverse classrooms. Dr. Bernie Grummell (Maynooth University) shared research insights that shaped the project’s training focus, while Professor Leonidas Gomatos (ASPETE) introduced the co-created joint curriculum and its three specialised courses addressing the needs of LGBTIQ+ students, migrant learners, and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The conference also presented findings from pilot training sessions across partner countries.
The first part of the conference was followed by a series of panel discussions, teacher testimonials, and interactive sessions that explored the practical challenges and policy solutions needed to build more inclusive classrooms. A highlight of the programme was the panel discussion “Systemic Change Starts with Teachers”, which gathered high-level representatives from the European Commission, ATEE, ETUCE, EASNIE, and the LLLP Platform, offering critical perspectives on how to embed inclusive practices within national and EU education systems.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in discussions about how to better prepare teachers for today’s diverse classrooms. They stressed the need to understand the different realities students face, to connect school practices with policy, and to give teachers the support and training they need to create inclusive learning environments.
As the TUTOR project closes, its message remains clear: equity in education starts with empowered, well-prepared teachers.