Seminar on Labour market integration of non-EU nationals

The event is the first in a series of three hybrid seminars to promote transnational learning to reshape integration policies in European towns and regions. It will focus on opportunities, challenges and solutions for a successful labour market integration of non-EU nationals. In the first half of 2024, further seminars are scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki (Greece), with focus on lifelong learning, and Linköping (Sweden), with focus on migrant entrepreneurship. Participation is free of charge. 

The first event in Ascó, Spain, will be opened with a keynote speech highlighting research findings of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute - Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Germany, that highlights how recent waves of migration impact demographies and labour markets in Europe’s rural areas. The remainder of the seminar is dedicated to the presentation and discussion of good practices and experiences that highlight the challenges and solutions to advance labour market participation of non-EU nationals. A number of local and regional decision-makers from MILEstone partner regions take part in the event to discuss how public policies can contribute.

Detailed programme

09:30 – 10:00   Arrivals to the venue

10:00 – 10:15   Welcome & introduction

                         Miquel Àngel Ribes i Jornet, Mayor of Ascó

                         Sonia Moreno, MILEstone Head of Project, Burgenland district

10:15 – 11:00*  Keynote speech “Integration of Refugees: (How) Can it work in rural German

                         Peter Mehl, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute - Federal Research Institute for Rural                             Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Germany

11:00 – 11:15   Q&A

                        Moderator: Tim Leibert, Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, MILEstone Scientific                              advisor, Germany

11:15 - 11:45   Reflections by MILEstone project partners & Discussion

                        Roger Bargalló Marcos, Ascó municipality

                        Alessandro Ingaria, Mayor of Priero, Italy

                        Evi Dermedesioti, Region of Central Macedonia, Greece

                        Moderator: Tim Leibert, Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, MILEstone Scientific                              advisor, Germany

11:45 – 12:00   Coffee break

12:00 – 12:30   “Policies of the Generalitat de Catalunya for access to the labor market for migrants: challenges and proposals"

                         Alba Hernandez Lacoma, Referent of the labor insertion program (ACOL) of the General Directorate of Migration, Shelter and Anti-Racism

12:30 – 12:50   Support, reception and integration of seasonal workers in the Municipality of Saluzzo

                          Francesco Chiari, UNCEM Delegazione Piemontese, Italy

12:50 – 13:10   Business succession as an opportunity for non-EU nationals

                          Reempresa, Catalonia (Spain)

13:10 – 13:30*  Good practices from the SIRM project (Interreg Europe)

                          Marek Duda, Rzeszow Regional Development Agency, Poland

13:30 – 14:30   Lunch

14:30 – 14:50   Challenges and successes in the labour market integration of Ukrainians in                  Western Pomerania

              Marta Baranowska, Labour Office of the Western Pomerania, Voivodeship, Poland

14:50 – 15:10   Migrants and refugees within the challenge of shrinking rural areas: 5 keys and 1 tool to be considered, transferred and scaled

                          Adolfo Patón Monge, Cepaim Foundation, Spain

15:10 – 16:00   Roundtable discussion

                         Robert Aßmann, Vice Governor of Burgenland district, Germany

                         Tatjana Hvala, Director of the Youth centre Postojna, Slovenia

                         Marije Joling-Fortuin, Municipality of Hogeland, The Netherlands

                         Shivan Fate, Marshall Office of Western Pomerania, Poland

                         Rosa Úbeda, Chamber of Commerce, Reus

                         Moderator: Tim Leibert, Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, MILEstone Scientific        advisor, Germany

16:00 – 16:30   Coffee break

16:30 – 17:00   “Heimat” - A short movie about feeling welcome in Europe

                          Interreg Central Europe project Arrival Regions

17:00 – 17:15   Lessons learnt & Wrap-up

                         Lucia Mrazova, Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, MILEstone Scientific advisor,    Germany

*Remote contributions to the programme are marked with a star.