Ensuring smooth recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications is a key driver of labour mobility—a priority for the Benelux Union and its cross-border regions. In the face of growing labour shortages and evolving professional sectors, removing barriers to mobility is more urgent than ever.
It is in this context that the Benelux-ITEM Conference takes place, organised under the 2025 Luxembourg Presidency of the Benelux Union, which has made this issue a priority. The Benelux countries are joining forces with national, regional, and community authorities to improve recognition mechanisms and promote access to cross-border employment.
This event is organised in partnership with the Benelux Union and ITEM (Maastricht University) and aims to advance the recognition of professional qualifications in the Benelux and its neighbouring cross-border regions by:
- Sharing recent outcomes from Benelux initiatives;
- Presenting the 2025 ITEM Cross-Border Impact Assessment on 360° cross-border labour market: recognition challenges and solutions in border regions;
- Highlighting the complementarity between actions carried out within the Benelux and efforts at EU level (e.g. Union of Skills, Directive 2005/36/EC) and within various cross-border cooperation frameworks;
- Providing a dedicated platform for policy makers and experts to share best practices and solutions, and to strengthen cross-border cooperation.
More information and draft agenda will follow soon.
