Kick-off of the project LABOUR-INT 3

On Tuesday 28 May, the kick-off conference of the project “LABOUR-INT 3: A multi-stakeholder initiative for migrant integration into the labour market” took place, hosted by SGI Europe. This conference started implementing a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for migrants and refugees and fostering their integration into the EU labour market. Funded by the European Commission's DG HOME, LABOUR-INT 3 builds upon the successes of its predecessors, LABOUR INT 1 and 2, emphasising multi-stakeholder collaboration among social and economic partners at various levels.

The kick-off conference brought together representatives from the EU social and economic partners (SGI Europe, ETUC, BusinessEurope, SMEunited and Eurochambres), underscoring the importance of cohesive efforts in supporting migrant integration and promoting a multi-stakeholder approach. The European Commission’s DG HOME highlighted their commitment to this cause, in line with the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027.

National project partners, including Bulgaria's CITUB and Caritas Sofia, Italy's Fondazione Rita Maierotti and SMILE Puglia, Poland's OPZZ, and Slovenia's ZRSZ-ESS and ZSSS, provided insights into their respective roles and initiatives. All shared their plans for implementing the project on the ground, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the situation at the national level in the integration of third-country nationals in their national labour markets.

The LABOUR-INT 3 initiative will leverage the strengths of various stakeholders, including employers, trade unions, public employment services, chambers of commerce, and NGOs. Throughout its duration, the project will develop practical tools and resources to address challenges in migrant integration, focusing on education, training, and job placement. By enhancing the capacities of labour market actors and fostering a collaborative environment, LABOUR-INT 3 will create sustainable pathways for migrants and refugees to secure meaningful employment, ultimately benefiting a wide range of stakeholders across Europe.

Project funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or DG HOME. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.