Euregio Mobility

In this project, the Learning Euregio network is structurally embedded within upper secondary vocational education in the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). This embedding is achieved through the establishment of appropriate financial, legal, and pedagogical framework conditions, thereby fulfilling a core objective of the Interreg program: the sustainable safeguarding of successful cross-border innovations. The pedagogical foundation of the project consists of Euregional training modules that are systematically integrated into the curricula of participating vocational programs. These modules encompass vocational, linguistic, and intercultural/Euregional learning objectives. On the Dutch side, they are incorporated into the elective module “Euregional Exchange and Cooperation”, while on the German side they form part of the Binational Additional Qualification in Vocational Education and Training NRW–Netherlands (BZBB). The BZBB is currently under review by the German ministry. The Dutch elective module has already been published via SBB and in the Government Gazette; a corresponding exam has been developed by the Consortium Beroepsonderwijs (Vocational Education Consortium). As of February 2026, the elective module will be available for inclusion in all ROC vocational programs nationwide. This structure creates a recognized certification framework for Euregional modules in six sectors and for young people who are distanced from the labor market, accessible to all ROC training programs. The BZBB and the Dutch elective module are currently being aligned through reciprocal textual references, with both responsible ministries fully informed of the progress. The project explicitly aims to achieve mutual recognition of these qualifications. Beyond the Euregio, the developed modules will also be made available to vocational education providers throughout the Netherlands and NRW. Digital competencies play a central role in this dissemination strategy, with German institutions in particular benefiting from Dutch expertise in digital pedagogy and didactics. The financial sustainability of the modules beyond the project duration is primarily ensured through Erasmus+ funding on both sides of the border, complemented by institutional training budgets or other subsidy providers. Through this approach, the partner schools make a concrete contribution to addressing shortages of skilled labor within the Euregional education and labor market. Sectoral organizations support this process through targeted quick scans that identify emerging trends and skills needs. Moreover, cross-border learning projects enhance the attractiveness of shortage occupations and strengthen the labor market prospects of young people with a distance to employment by offering short, practice-oriented, and inclusive learning pathways.