Labour Migration

Talent Hub EU

In November 2022, IOM together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG Reform) and Copenhagen Capacity (CopCap) launched the project “Talent Hub: Supporting Copenhagen Capacity to strengthen retention and EU-mobility of skilled migrants through collaborative multi-country coordination on talent retention and circulation in the EU”.

In the framework of the Talent Hub project, IOM in cooperation with the European Commission provides technical support to strengthen the capacity of CopCap and other public Danish and selected European stakeholders to develop, adapt and implement strategies related primarily to talent retention, nurturing and attraction. Talent is here defined as mid to highly skilled Third Country National (TCN) workers in Denmark and the EU.

The Talent Hub project will contribute to strengthening policies and structures to facilitate retention and to support the formulation of future-oriented integration policies and reforms targeting talent. Strengthened focus on retention is intended to support intra-EU circulation and the socio-economic integration of talent in Denmark and Europe more broadly.

In the context of global competition for talent, EU Member States need to expand on existing intra-EU initiatives for foreign talent and to replicate best practices on social inclusion and retention. Enhancing the integration and social inclusion of migrants meets key European objectives of equality and social cohesion, essential for a dynamic economy that benefits all.

From 1 November 2022 until 31 May 2024, IOM Denmark and IOM Germany will develop various materials, including a modular guidebook showcasing practical experiences and best practices with talent retention in selected EU Member States. The Talent Hub project ended on 31 May 2024.

The guidebook can be applied to different EU stakeholders seeking varied input on their challenges on talent retention, attraction and circulation in their national contexts.

The project concluded with the formulation of a concept note on a Talent Hub EU coordination mechanism (collaboration & knowledge sharing mechanism of best practices) and a final workshop on 15 May 2024.

The project was funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by IOM, in cooperation with the European Commission.

Project Materials

Guiding Principles (July 2024)

• Guiding Principles for Establishing Talent Hub Coordination Mechanisms

Guidebook (May 2024) 

• Talent Hub Guidebook - A Guide to Practitioners on Talent Retention of Third Country Nationals in the EU (full document)
  • Chapter 1: Introduction and Reading Guide
  • Chapter 2: Stakeholders and Actors
  • Chapter 3: Interventions by Timeframe
  • Chapter 4: Good Practices and Inspiration

Multi-Situational Report (May 2024)

• From Short-Term Stay to Long-Term Inclusion – A Multi-Situational Report and Analysis of Talent Retention Factors in Denmark, Germany, and the EU

Briefs (May 2024)

• Brief: Talent Retention for Businesses in English and French
• Brief: Talent Retention for Policy Makers in English and French
• Brief: Talent Retention for Municipal Actors in English and French

Areas for possible interventions (February 2024)

• IOM Talent Hub - Summary Recommendations
• IOM Talent Hub - Preliminary Recommendations for Retention of Third Country Talent
• IOM Talent Hub - Summary Recommendations (German)

Digital Nomads & Cross-Border Remote Work (February 2024)

• Overview - Digital Nomad Policies in the European Context
• Overview - Domestic and Cross-Border Remote Working Modalities in the EU
• Policy Brief - Embracing the Potential of Digital Nomads
• Policy Brief - Cross-Border Remote Work and Intra-EU Labour Mobility

Surveys (November-December 2023)

• The "Remote Work & Digital Nomad Survey" was carried out by IOM under the Talent Hub project from 9 to 22 November 2023. The survey was developed to better understand the evolving landscape of remote work and its potential to improve talent attraction, mobility, and retention within the EU with a specific focus on remote work, cross-border remote work and digital nomadism. The survey received 68 responses that were used to inform project materials. Please contact IOM to receive an analysis of the survey data (Rand Al-Ani: ralani@iom.int, Jana Grebe: jgrebe@iom.int).
• The "International Talent Attraction & Retention Survey" was carried out by IOM under the Talent Hub project from 5 to 19 December 2023. The survey was developed to collect practical insights and personal experience of how it is to live and either work or study in Denmark/Germany and what factors are important for talent's/expat's ability and willingness to stay (retention). The survey received 110 responses that were used to inform project materials. Please contact IOM to receive an analysis of the survey data (Rand Al-Ani: ralani@iom.int, Jana Grebe: jgrebe@iom.int).

Briefs (June 2023)

• IOM Talent Hub Brief - Talent Retention in Denmark
• IOM Talent Hub Brief - Talent Retention in Germany

Copenhagen Capacity assists foreign businesses and talent in identifying and capitalising business opportunities in Greater Copenhagen and is the official organisation for investment promotion and economic development in Greater Copenhagen.

The Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) helps EU countries to design and implement reforms as part of their efforts to support job creation and sustainable growth.