Newsletter no.1

Dear EQ Cultivate Community,

We are excited to bring you the first major updates from the EQ Cultivate project! Over the past months, our team has worked tirelessly to launch this initiative, engaging with young professionals across Europe to better understand the challenges of remote work. Through a combination of in-depth discussions, surveys, and collaborative meetings, we’ve gained invaluable insights into the emotional and mental well-being needs of young professionals navigating the complexities of remote work.

Our findings confirm a growing need for targeted resources that support emotional intelligence development, boundary-setting, and stress management in digital workspaces. This crucial groundwork has set the stage for the next steps: the development of structured, practical training modules designed to empower young professionals with the skills they need to thrive in remote work environments. Take a closer look at what we have accomplished and what exciting developments are coming next!

The EQ Cultivate website is officially live! Serving as the central hub for all project activities, updates, and resources, the website is designed to provide easy access to key information about our mission, partners, research findings, and upcoming opportunities. Whether you're looking to explore our latest reports or stay informed about upcoming training sessions, this is your go-to platform. Have a look around this website and stay connected with the EQ Cultivate journey!

Project website launched

Kick-off meeting in Madrid

Development of training modules & local workshops

WHAT'S NEXT?

Our project partners gathered in Madrid for the official kick-off meeting in October 2024, where we established a shared vision for EQ Cultivate. This moment was a critical step in aligning our goals, refining our strategy, and setting the groundwork for our research and upcoming activities. Discussions focused on defining the project’s methodology, setting up evaluation frameworks, and outlining the roadmap for delivering impactful training programs. Read the full recap of our kick-off event here.

As we move forward, the EQ Cultivate team is now focused on developing five comprehensive training modules designed to equip young professionals with essential skills for managing mental well-being while working remotely. These interactive and practical modules will cover:

• Understanding and recognizing your own mental health needs in remote work

• Mastering the art of setting, communicating, and advocating for boundaries and needs fostering a balanced work-life dynamic.

• Enhancing communication skills for remote teams and fostering human connection

• Burnout recognition, prevention and self-care strategies

• Practical strategies for workflow management, prioritization, and mindful use of digital tools to optimize productivity while maintaining mental well-being.

These modules will be piloted in local workshops, offering hands-on training and opportunities for participants to engage in real-life case studies and discussions. Stay tuned for more details about these workshops and how you can participate!

STAY CONNECTED!

Thank you for being part of the EQ Cultivate journey. Your support and engagement are vital in shaping a future where young professionals can thrive in remote work environments with confidence and resilience. We can’t wait to share more exciting updates with you soon!

Best regards,
The EQ Cultivate Team

Roundtable discussions in Latvia, Spain, and Cyprus

One of our core goals in this first phase of the project was to engage directly with young professionals to understand their experiences, struggles, and aspirations regarding remote work. To achieve this, we organized roundtable discussions in three key locations—Latvia, Spain, and Cyprus.

These meetings provided a platform for open conversations, allowing participants to voice concerns about digital burnout, work-life balance, isolation, and communication challenges in virtual workspaces. Their contributions are instrumental in shaping our upcoming training modules, ensuring they respond to real-life needs. You can read more about each roundtable discussion here.

Training needs report published

Our extensive research efforts have culminated in the publication of our Training needs analysis report. This report consolidates key findings from surveys and discussions, highlighting the most pressing challenges faced by young professionals in remote work environments.

Issues such as difficulties in maintaining professional boundaries, digital overwork, and the lack of emotional intelligence training were identified as critical areas for improvement. The report serves as a foundation for the next phase of EQ Cultivate—designing and delivering targeted educational resources. We invite you to explore the full report here.

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

Latest project news