Privacy Policy of EBSN (European Basic Skills Network)
Last updated: June 2026
The European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) is committed to protecting your personal data and handling it responsibly, transparently and in accordance with applicable data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).
This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we may collect through the EBSN website and related services, why we collect it, how we use it, how long we keep it, and what rights you have in relation to your data.
1. Data controller
Controller: European Basic Skills Network (EBSN)
Contact email: secretariat@basicskills.eu
The EBSN Secretariat is hosted by Progress Consult Ltd. Hungary.
2. What personal data we may collect
Depending on how you use the website or interact with EBSN, we may collect the following categories of personal data:
- name
- organisation / institution
- job title or role, where relevant
- email address
- postal address, where relevant
- telephone number, where relevant
- information submitted through contact forms
- information submitted through newsletter subscription forms
- information submitted through event registration forms
- information submitted through membership-related forms or enquiries
- technical data collected through cookies or similar technologies, such as IP address, browser type, device information and browsing behaviour, where applicable
We only collect personal data that are necessary for specific and legitimate purposes.
3. How we collect your data
We may collect personal data when:
- you contact us through the website or by email
- you subscribe to the EBSN newsletter
- you register for an event, webinar, conference or meeting
- you submit a membership application or membership-related enquiry
- you browse the website and consent to the use of cookies or analytics tools, where applicable
4. Why we use your personal data
We process personal data for the following purposes:
- to respond to enquiries and communicate with you
- to manage newsletter subscriptions and send newsletters, updates and relevant information about EBSN activities
- to organise and administer events, webinars, conferences, meetings and related registrations
- to manage membership applications and membership administration
- to maintain internal records, including records needed for financial, administrative and audit purposes
- to improve the website, services and user experience
- to communicate about projects, consultations, surveys or other professional activities relevant to EBSN’s work, where appropriate
- to comply with legal and administrative obligations
5. Legal basis for processing
Depending on the context, EBSN processes personal data on one or more of the following legal bases:
- Consent – for example, when you subscribe to the newsletter or accept non-essential cookies
- Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps – for example, when you register for an event or submit a membership-related request
- Legal obligation – for example, where data must be retained for accounting, audit or other compliance purposes
- Legitimate interests – for example, to manage communications, improve services, administer activities, and ensure the effective operation of the website and the Network, provided that such interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms
6. Newsletter communications
If you subscribe to the EBSN newsletter, we will use your contact details to send you updates on EBSN activities, events, publications and related developments.
You can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in newsletter emails or by contacting us at secretariat@basicskills.eu
7. Event registration and membership-related data
If you register for an event or submit information in connection with membership or other EBSN activities, your data may be used for organisational, administrative, communication and audit-related purposes.
Where required by law, certain records may be retained for the applicable statutory retention period.
8. Cookies and similar technologies
The EBSN website may use cookies and similar technologies to ensure the proper functioning of the site, improve usability, analyse traffic and support website performance.
Cookies may include:
- strictly necessary cookies, which are required for the website to function properly
- analytics cookies, which help us understand how visitors use the website
- third-party cookies, where relevant, for embedded content or integrated services
Where required, non-essential cookies will only be used with your consent.
You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie banner or your browser settings.
If analytics tools or third-party services are used, they are listed here explicitly:
- Google Analytics, used for website traffic analysis and understanding how visitors use the website
- Mailchimp, used for newsletter subscription and email communication management
- YouTube, where video content is embedded on the website, if applicable
9. Sharing of personal data
EBSN does not sell, rent or lease personal data to third parties.
We may share personal data only where necessary and appropriate, for example:
- with service providers who support the operation of the website, newsletter distribution, registration systems or related administrative functions
- with trusted technical providers acting on our behalf under appropriate data protection safeguards
- where required by law, regulation or legal process
Where external processors are used, they must process data only on documented instructions and under appropriate contractual safeguards.
10. International transfers
As a general rule, EBSN seeks to ensure that personal data are processed within the European Economic Area (EEA).
If personal data are transferred outside the EEA, this will only take place where appropriate safeguards are in place, in accordance with applicable data protection law.
11. Data retention
We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which they were collected, including to meet legal, accounting, reporting and audit requirements.
Examples:
- newsletter subscription data are kept until you unsubscribe or request deletion
- contact enquiries are kept only as long as necessary to respond and follow up
- event registration and membership-related records may be retained for the legally required period where financial or audit obligations apply
- technical and analytics data are retained according to the settings of the relevant tools and consent framework in use
12. Data security
EBSN takes appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or destruction.
These measures may include administrative controls, secure systems, limited access, and appropriate technical safeguards.
13. Links to other websites
The EBSN website may contain links to external websites, including project sites, conference microsites or partner platforms.
Where a linked website is operated by EBSN, this Privacy Policy may also apply, unless stated otherwise.
Where you leave the EBSN website and access another organisation’s website, that website will be governed by its own privacy policy. EBSN is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites that it does not control.
14. Your rights
Under the GDPR, you may have the right to:
- request access to your personal data
- request rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data
- request erasure of your data, where applicable
- request restriction of processing
- object to certain types of processing
- withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent
- request data portability, where applicable
- lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority
To exercise any of these rights, please contact: secretariat@basicskills.eu
We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.
15. Changes to this Privacy Policy
EBSN may update this Privacy Policy from time to time in order to reflect changes in legal requirements, website functionality or organisational practice.
The most recent version will always be published on this page, with the updated date shown at the top.
16. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or about how your personal data are handled, please contact:
EBSN Secretariat
secretariat@basicskills.eu