The report ‘Skills for the digitalisation of local commerce services’ is now online – 2nd Thematic Focus Group 2025, Skills Intelligence Emilia-Romagna
On 17 November 2025, nine focus groups dedicated to analysing the need for highly specialised skills in sectors linked to Emilia-Romagna’s areas of smart specialisation were held at Botte 4 of the DAMA Technopole in Bologna.
The initiative, part of the Emilia-Romagna Skills Intelligence project promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Region and implemented by ART-ER with the support of the European Social Fund+ 2021-2027, brought together 145 participants from businesses, training institutions, universities, public administrations, foundations, research centres and local stakeholders.
Clust-ER Economia Urbana also took an active part in the initiative, coordinating a round table dedicated to skills for the digitalisation of local commerce services.
The theme was chosen because local commerce and services are an urgent issue for Clust-ER Economia Urbana, as technological innovation has profoundly transformed consumption patterns and the paradigm of commerce, which is now increasingly digital and global. The sector faces a dual challenge: remaining competitive in a globalised market while preserving the relational value that sets it apart, using digital technology as an enabling lever.
The dedicated report by Clust-ER Economia Urbana is available online and explores the main results that emerged from the round table – available only in Italian.
🔗 Download the full report ‘Skills for the digitalisation of local commerce services’
Why it is important
The results of our focus group highlight the need for new interdisciplinary professionals who can integrate skills in spatial planning, data analysis, urban policy, service innovation and local development. In a context characterised by rapid urban and spatial transformation, it is becoming increasingly important to train professionals who can connect research, public policy and business.
The full reports are online
The new 2025 thematic focus group reports have been published and are available online on the ART-ER website, with summaries of the nine thematic focus groups and key insights into emerging skills in strategic sectors in Emilia-Romagna.
🔗 SECOND 2025 FOCUS GROUP REPORTS – Skills Intelligence Emilia-Romagna