WHAT:

The Upper Rhine region is characterized by a disparity in the labour market between France and Germany.  The 33 partners involved in the project include employment agencies, regional and local administrations from each side of the border as well as cross-border organisations (EGTCs). They work together to provide coordinated solutions to promote cross-border mobility and employment focusing on the youth and job-seekers living in the cross-border territory.

The main objectives of the project are: 

– Improving the visibility of cross-border training opportunities

– Guaranteeing dedicated support to people with a cross-border professional project 

– Improving the coherence between the provision of training and labour demand from local companies and industries.

– Reinforce the governance and coordination of the cross-border training offer

WHERE:  

Upper Rhine region (France – Germany)

HOW:

The project has been funded by Interreg V-A  France-Germany-Switzerland (Rhin supérieur/Oberrhein) for 2,000,000 EUR (ERDF)

A website has been created providing tools, assistance and necessary information to facilitate the access of citizens to cross-border opportunities. The website also features links to and contact details of relevant professional actors able to provide personalized guidance and assistance; gives information on opportunities available to facilitate mobility or training; and connects employers and job seekers on each side of the border. 

RESULTS:

Since its launching in 2016, the project has demonstrated its positive impact on cross-border employment and training in the Upper Rhine, as well as for cross-border cooperation in general. 

Over the period 2016-2018, 613 job seekers have received a training (language and technical); 218 new cross-border apprenticeship contracts have been signed; 766 students, future apprentices, or job seekers have benefited from a visit to local company of the Upper Rhine and discovered the professional world and characteristics of a sector; 633 have attended intercultural workshops; 2716 students were given the opportunity to discover the professional world over one day or a week in their neighbor country; and a total of 3 266 beneficiaries received mobility grants. 

In addition to the website, the project has also triggered new partnerships and projects in favor of cross-border work mobility. The number of visitors attending orientation fairs in Germany has increased.