Creating opportunities for young people in the Pyrenees
Barriers in the Pyrenees: A regional challenge
Freedom of movement within the EU is a fundamental right, allowing citizens to move from one country to another more easily than ever. Despite all the efforts made in this sense, there are still difficulties regarding circulation in some areas, among them the Pyrenees. The natural border between Spain and France has proven to be a strong barrier throughout the centuries, and today, many obstacles still remain: the restricted number of roads connecting both countries and the even more restricted number of public transportation links. The different languages and identities existing across the Pyrenees also act as barriers between the countries—and even between regions within those countries.
The situation becomes even more complex when considering the Principality of Andorra, a country entirely within the Pyrenees and not part of the EU. The Interreg Poctefa Trampoline II project tackles these issues related to mobility in the Pyrenees, with a strong focus on youth employment. Indeed, Pyrenean youth face limited job markets and are often left with no choice but to leave the region to find employment aligned with their skills.
Trampoline II: Building cross-border opportunities
The Interreg Poctefa project Trampoline II (2024–2026) builds on the foundation of the earlier Trampoline I project (2018–2021). A report published in 2019 within the framework of the first project concluded that mobility and employment networks existed only at regional and local levels, with a clear lack of cross-border cooperation between Spain, France, and Andorra.
Trampoline II responds to this gap by focusing on youth mobility and employment, enhancing participation and consolidating networks across the Pyrenees. One of its key actions is supporting the Transpyrenean Youth Forum.
The Transpyrenean Youth Forum: Youth in action
The voices of young people across the Pyrenees are growing louder - and more connected. The Transpyrenean Youth Forum, a unique cross-border gathering, brings together youth aged 18 to 30 from all regions of the Pyrenees for a weekend of dialogue and action.
Backed by the Working Community of the Pyrenees - a key driver of cooperation between Spain, France, and Andorra since 1983 - the Forum is more than just a meeting. It is a springboard for change. After three successful editions, the initiative has been further strengthened through integration into Trampoline II, with the latest edition held in Toulouse (Occitanie, France) in November 2024.
During four days, participants tackled some of the region’s most pressing challenges, developing action plans across five key areas:
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Education, Employment & Digitalization
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Leisure, Tourism & Mobility
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Culture, Language & Identity
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Nature & Sustainability
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Participation & Cooperation
As one of the few platforms that bring together youth from all corners of the Pyrenees, the Forum gives participants a voice on critical issues such as mobility, sustainability, and inclusion. From advocating for greener transport to creating spaces for collaboration, the momentum is growing.
The fifth edition of the Transpyrenean Youth Forum is scheduled for September 18–21, 2025, in Andorra and La Seu d’Urgell (Catalonia). This next edition promises to be even more dynamic - connecting youth voices, shaping new ideas, and pushing forward the 2030 Road Map on Transpyrenean Youth, which has already been endorsed by regional political leaders.
Voices from the Forum: Two youth perspectives
To hear directly from those involved, we interviewed two participants of the 4th Transpyrenean Youth Forum: Georgina Orero from Catalonia and Sandra Martín from Aragon. They shared their thoughts on the forum’s impact and what’s still needed for young people in the region.
What is the Transpyrenean Youth Forum’s biggest added value according to you?
Georgina: For me, the added value of the Forum is the opportunity to connect with other young people, join forces to create projects, and turn them into something collective. I believe that cooperation among young people makes us stronger and braver when it comes to presenting problems and projects to solve them.
Sandra: The tool that should be promoted is decent contracts. By this, I don’t mean paid internships, which are obviously helpful for intergrading many young people and as a first contact with the labor market. I mean employment contracts with companies, foundations, associations, businesses, etc., where trained and prepared young people can work and build their lives without needing to migrate to another region. If young people have secure jobs, we wouldn’t need to relocate.
How has the Transpyrenean Youth Forum evolved from your perspective?
Georgina: The truth is that the evolution has been quite evident in how the project has progressed, from the creation of the roadmap based on the needs of young people to the development of projects aimed at improving the situation of youth in the five main themes of the Forum.
What is the main tool that the Trampoline II project should strengthen to achieve cross-Pyrenean mobility and Pyrenean youth’s integration in the Pyrenean job markets?
Sandra: The tool that should be promoted is decent contracts. By this, I don’t mean paid internships, which are obviously helpful for intergrading many young people and as a first contact with the labor market. I mean employment contracts with companies, foundations, associations, businesses, etc., where trained and prepared young people can work and build their lives without needing to migrate to another region. If young people have secure jobs, we wouldn’t need to relocate.
Is there any aspect other than movement you think of when mentioning freedom for Pyrenean youth?
Sandra: Freedom encompasses many things. Sometimes it’s not necessary to have "freedom of movement" to feel free. This freedom is also linked to having a stable job, a decent salary and conditions, good social relationships, adequate services in the place where you live, and, in general, dignified living conditions.