How Interreg helps citizens gain skills, jobs and mobility in times of change

These questions were discussed in Brussels at the European Employment and Social Rights Forum 2026, held on 3–4 March by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. The Forum looked at how Europe’s social model can adapt to technological change, economic uncertainty and geopolitical pressures

For those working with Interreg cooperation programmes, the themes discussed in Brussels felt familiar. Across borders and regions, Interreg projects already address skills gaps, labour mobility barriers, rural employment and social inclusion.

Two speeches shaped the debate: the opening address by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the keynote by Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy and author of Much More Than a Market. Together, their messages pointed towards an essential idea: Europe’s economic strength and its social model must advance hand in hand.

A social Europe built on partnership

Opening the Forum, Ursula von der Leyen reminded participants that Europe’s social model rests on a long tradition of cooperation between governments, employers, trade unions and civil society.

This partnership approach has allowed Europe to respond collectively to major crises. But the transformation underway today may be even deeper. Artificial intelligence, industrial restructuring and demographic change are reshaping labour markets across Europe. In this context, competitiveness and social protection must reinforce each other. 'Competitiveness is not an end in itself. It is what underpins our citizens’ wellbeing and sustains our social model', stressed Von der Leyen.

Looking ahead, the Commission highlighted three priorities:

• Completing the single market
• Investing in skills and quality jobs
• Tackling social challenges such as housing affordability.

From the single market to 'One Europe, one market'

When Enrico Letta addressed the Forum, he offered a broader vision for Europe’s economic future. While the single market has been one of Europe’s most important achievements, fragmentation still limits its potential. Differences in national regulations, administrative procedures and labour market rules continue to divide the European economy.

Letta therefore called for a new step in European integration: 'One Europe, one market. If we are one Europe but twenty-seven markets, we will remain a weak Europe,' he said. But his message was not only economic. At the heart of the single market, he insisted, are people.

Mobility and the 'freedom to stay'

One of the most powerful ideas in Letta’s speech concerned the balance between mobility and territorial opportunity. Labour mobility is a cornerstone of the European project. It allows workers to move to where opportunities exist and supports economic dynamism. However, during consultations across Europe, Letta heard a recurring concern from citizens: the perception that Europe benefits mainly those who are able to move. His response was the concept of 'freedom to stay'.

'Workers must enjoy both the freedom to move and the freedom to stay', Letta expressed. Ensuring this freedom means guaranteeing quality jobs, services and opportunities in all regions, including smaller towns, rural territories and border areas. Without that balance, economic transformation risks widening territorial inequalities.

Skills and quality jobs for a changing economy

Another central theme of the Forum was skills. Across Europe, workers are asking the same question: how will technological change affect their jobs? The European Commission is addressing this challenge through initiatives such as the Union of Skills, the upcoming Skills Guarantee and the future Quality Jobs Act.

Von der Leyen summarised the challenge clearly: 'Skills are the bridge between uncertainty and opportunity.' Preparing Europe’s workforce for change will require investments in training, reskilling and lifelong learning, while ensuring that new jobs remain fair, secure and attractive.

Interreg in action: concrete examples of projects on jobs, skills and labour mobility

The discussions in Brussels reflect challenges that many Interreg projects are already tackling on the ground. All over Europe and its neighbouring regions, cooperation initiatives help territories address skills shortages, labour mobility barriers and employment opportunities through practical solutions. Examples building A More Social Europe include:

• Interreg IPA Hungary–Serbia and the project Next Steps for Newcomers. This initiative focuses on labour market integration for vulnerable groups and newcomers, aligning training with local employment needs to ease cross-border integration.
• Interreg NEXT MED and the project MED4Jobs. It tackles youth unemployment and promotes entrepreneurship across Mediterranean regions, connecting training centres, universities and local authorities.
• Interreg Danube Region and its project YOUMIG, which addresses youth migration and labour mobility, helping regions understand demographic trends and attract and retain young talent.
• Central Baltic programme and the project SILVERSKILL helps older workers remain active in the labour market, while sharing their expertise across borders, tackling challenges of an ageing workforce.
• Madeira-Azores-Canarias (MAC) and its project MAC Skilling. Operating across Madeira, Azores, and the Canary Islands, this initiative supports professional skill development to meet current and future labour market needs. It targets groups facing barriers to employment, providing training tools and actions to enhance employability in these outermost EU regions.

These examples show how Interreg cooperation translates European priorities into practical territorial solutions. Whether addressing youth unemployment, labour mobility, demographic change or skills shortages, projects across programmes contribute to building a More Social Europe.

Cooperation for a more social Europe

One key message emerging from the Forum is that a Social Europe cannot be built only through legislation or large financial instruments. Many social challenges, from labour shortages to regional inequalities, have a strong territorial dimension. Solutions must therefore be developed close to citizens, through cooperation between regions, institutions and communities.

This is precisely where Interreg programmes and the Interact More Social Europe policy network contribute. By connecting programmes and sharing experiences across regions, the network helps strengthen cooperation on employment, skills and social inclusion, ensuring that Interreg can support European priorities while responding to local needs.

The discussions in Brussels confirmed an essential point: Europe’s future depends on its ability to combine competitiveness with social cohesion. As Enrico Letta reminded participants: 'The single market is the people.'

Ensuring that Europe works for people, in every region, remains one of the most important missions for European territorial cooperation today.