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Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
@horizongs4s.bsky.social
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One of Horizon Europe's sister projects in the TRANSFORMATIONS-01-03 Inclusiveness in Times of Change Initiative, GS4S conducts informed policymaking research for skills, migration, and development in the IT/Digital, Care, and Construction industries.
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horizongs4s.bsky.social
Oct 29 - #HorizonEurope projects HorizonGS4S, Link4Skills, Skills4Justice present evidence-based discussion:
• skills shortages and labor market change
• business responses and automation
• migration partnerships
• international skills mobility
• long-term European policy
Register: shorturl.at/Iz5EQ
Final conference event for dialogue that highlights three priorities: People—address labor shortages and unlock potential; Partnerships—build better migration and skills partnerships; and Policy—use evidence to shape smarter, fairer policy. Event co-sponsored by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, Development and its Three Horizon Europe sister projects, #Link4Skills and #Skills4Justice projects are exploring what works to tackle growing skills shortages while ensuring migration is fair, sustainable and beneficial for all. These questions are becoming increasingly urgent for policymakers, employers and researchers alike. On 29 October, Three4GlobalSkills brings together the findings of three #HorizonEurope projects - Link4Skills / L4S, Horizon GS4S and Skills4Justice - Horizon Europe - for a full day of evidence-based discussion on: • skills shortages and labor market change • business responses and automation • migration partnerships • international skills mobility • long-term European policy The conference will bring together leading researchers alongside representatives from European institutions and international organizations. Final conference event, held in-person (Brussels) and online (register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpiMvqe8oOR5K1kcWAwd4K9XJm_vBOuox4mq-fz7Sjzcyrlg/viewform?pli=1). Dialogue highlights three priorities: People—address labour shortages and unlock potential; Partnerships—build better migration and skills partnerships; and Policy—use evidence to shape smarter, fairer policy. Event co-sponsored by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, Development and its Three Horizon Europe sister projects, #Link4Skills and #Skills4Justice projects are exploring what works. 📍 Brussels 💻 Live-streamed 🗓️ 29 October 2026 Online participation is free, but registration is required.
September 25, 2026 at 4:53 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
Today's dialogue opens a window toward understanding how skills partnerships, talent mobility, and workforce development can contribute to economic growth, innovation, and shared prosperity on both sides of the mobility corridor. Webinar registration: tinyurl.com/4fffurkm 3-4PM CET
June 2, 2026 at 9:15 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
2 June webinar, 3–4 PM CET - #HorizonGS4S Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development perspectives from #Egypt #Bangladesh #Nigeria examine how countries can build more balanced and mutually beneficial approaches to #skills, #mobility, and #competitiveness Register: tinyurl.com/4fffurkm
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June 1, 2026 at 3:57 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
Much-needed dialogue on Europe’s skills shortages and workforce transformation challenges - Registration link: shorturl.at/s9ZkR #RadboudUniversity/online explore how evidence, policy, and real-world labor-market needs helps shape stronger responses to emerging skills gaps across Europe #FutreofWork
Our big day has arrived — there is still time to join a much-needed dialogue on Europe’s skills shortages and workforce transformation challenges. Registration link: https://shorturl.at/s9ZkR Today, GS4S brings together researchers, industry representatives, and policy advocates at Radboud University (NL) and online to explore how evidence, policy, and real-world sector experience on labour-market needs can help shape stronger responses to emerging skills gaps across Europe. The GS4S Large-Scale Survey on Skill Shortages (available for download at gs4s.eu/events) creates an important space for discussion around: • workforce and skills shortages across sectors; • implications for competitiveness, innovation, and inclusion; • how research and evidence from the field can better inform actionable policy responses. A sincere thank you to all speakers, contributors, partners, and participants joining us from across Europe - 13:30 to 16:00 CET. We look forward to a thoughtful and constructive exchange that helps strengthen Europe’s future skills ecosystem. #GS4S #SkillsShortages #FutureOfWork #GreenTransition #DigitalTransition #SkillsAgenda #Research #Policy #ITDigital #construction #health #manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #HorizonEurope #Innovation #LifelongLearning #Pact4Skills
May 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
As the EU moves toward implementing the Talent Pool, we’ll take a look at what this means for the EU’s labor mobility strategy. AFTER THE VOTE webinar features speakers from the European Parliament and World Bank. Wednesday, 18 March, 13:00-14:00 CET. Registration information at gs4s.eu/events.
March 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
#GS4S / #MPI webinar - a timely policy discussion where leading experts will examine the final design of the EU Talent Pool. "After the Vote" Speakers: Anna Strolenberg-European Parliament, Mauro Testaverde-World Bank
📅 Wed, 18 March 2026
⏰ 13h–14h CET
🔗 Registration gs4s.eu/events/
#labormigration
Home - GS4S
GS4S.eu
March 13, 2026 at 1:21 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
“How to make the most of migrants’ skills – Hurdles and potential of up- / re-skilling of migrant and refugee workers”, authored by @fieritorino.bsky.social Sara Korbi and Ferruccio Pastore - researching skills policies that often fail to reach those who could benefit most. gs4s.eu/working-pape...
Working Paper Series - GS4S
GS4S Working Paper Series conveys new knowledge that set the parameters for an ambitious yet needed and exploitable framework for a sustainable Future of Work in targeted sectors: Digital, Care Indust...
gs4s.eu
January 12, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
migrationpolicy.bsky.social
📊 New research reveals what influences migrants' decisions to return to their home country

Join webinar on 13 Jan. to explore findings from study of 118,000 cases & interviews with Iraqi & Nigerian migrants who navigated return decisions from Europe
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
We're live! The @horizongs4s.bsky.social Policy Workshop, "Addressing Skill Shortages in Ageing Economies" hosted by the University of Geneve. Full agenda at gs4s.eu/wp-content/u...
GS4S - Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development https://gs4s.eu POLICY WORKSHOP Addressing Skill Shortages in Ageing Economies 6-7 October 2025 University of Geneva Uni MAIL – Room M6220 Public event: Uni MAIL Room MR030 Introduction This Policy Workshop is organized within the framework of the Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, Development, also known as GS4S, is a 36-month Horizon Europe-funded project aimed at co-creating a global strategy to address skills shortages in Digital, the Care and Construction sectors including migration policies and alternatives to migration. The project proposes multi-level evidence-based policies on labour migration governance and alternative ways to address these shortages in six regions: EU, EEA, Western Balkan, Middle East and Northern Africa, West Africa, and South/South-East Asia. Workshop Participants: The workshop will bring together representatives from the International Organizations, Academics, government officials, legal experts, policy analysts, and researchers specializing in various aspects of skills, migration and development, as well as representatives from the private sector. Expected Outcomes The Workshop offers a unique opportunity to present and discuss preliminary findings from the GS4S research consortium by engaging with key stakeholders, governments and international bodies. The objective is to generate new knowledge on the strategies to deal with skill shortages and work towards the design of practical tools for stakeholders. This event takes place in the framework of the Horizon Europe Project "Global Strategy for Skills, Migration and Development https://gs4s.eu/ Funding by the European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Education (SERI) and support from the Department of Political Science and International Relations as well as Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva is gratefully acknowledged. Contact: info@gs4s.eu
October 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
Policy Workshop “Addressing Skill Shortages in Ageing Economies” (6-7 October 2025), organized by @horizongs4s.bsky.social partner University of Geneve. Program at gs4s.eu/events/ Registrations open
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Contact: [email protected]
POLICY WORKSHOP Addressing Skill Shortages in Ageing Economies 6-7 October 2025 University of Geneva Uni MAIL – Room M6220 Public event: Uni MAIL Room MR030 Policy Workshop “Addressing Skill Shortages in Ageing Economies” (6-7 October 2025), organized by @horizongs4s.bsky.social partner University of Geneve. Program at https://gs4s.eu/events/ Registrations open https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj6_Wwlrm3iev6zV-0T3KvIMiZ79dTReOw7JhGvYaVlhK2kA/viewform This Policy Workshop is organized within the framework of the Global Strategies for Skills, Migration, Development, also known as GS4S, a 36-month Horizon Europe-funded project aimed at co-creating a global strategy to address skills shortages in the Digital, Care, and Construction sectors including migration policies and alternatives to migration. The workshop will bring together representatives from the IOs, academics, government officials, legal experts, policy analysts, and researchers specializing in various aspects of skills, migration, and development. Also representatives from the private sector. Expected Outcomes The Workshop offers a unique opportunity to present and discuss preliminary findings from the GS4S research consortium by engaging with key stakeholders, governments and international bodies. The objective is to generate new knowledge on the strategies to deal with skill shortages and work towards the design of practical tools for stakeholders. This event takes place in the framework of the Horizon Europe Project "Global Strategy for Skills, Migration and Development https://gs4s.eu/ Funding by the European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Education (SERI) and support from the Department of Political Science and International Relations as well as Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva is gratefully acknowledged. CONTACT: info@gs4s.eu
September 30, 2025 at 7:54 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
"Advancing Skills for Mobility and Inclusive Growth" a high-level #GS4S roundtable hosted by American University Cairo, with the participation of ministries, academia, and others for dialogue on migration, labor mobility, and demographic transitions shaping labor markets shorturl.at/kFkjH
As migration, labor mobility, and demographic transitions reshape both African and European labor markets, the need for robust, future-ready skills systems has never been more urgent. To explore Egypt’s role in this evolving landscape, Horizon GS4S partner The American University in Cairo hosted a high-level, multi-stakeholder roundtable with the participation of: #EgyptianMinistryEconomicPlanning, Development and International Cooperation; the Micro, Small and Medium Size Enterprises Development Agency of Egypt; the EU Delegation in Egypt; International Organization for Migration; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Egypt; Egyptian NGO Ta’heal focused on building capacities; National Academy for Science and Skills Academy training and education institution; Center for Migration and Refugees Studies; Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab MENA. Hosted on the American University Cairo campus, representatives from public bodies/ministries, academia, and civil society engaged in discussions on migration, labor mobility, and demographic transitions shaping African and European labor markets. The event highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role in this evolving landscape and the urgent need for robust, forward-looking policies to match skills with opportunities across regions. In alignment with the Horizon GS4S mission to advance fair, sustainable, and mutually-beneficial skills partnerships, the event highlighted how innovative cooperation frameworks can build resilient labor markets and create shared prosperity across regions:  Evaluate the current skilling, reskilling, and upskilling landscape in Egypt  Identify persistent skills gaps in priority sectors: #IT and #Digital, #Construction, and #Care  Explore policy-relevant, evidence-based approaches to strengthen Egypt’s skills ecosystem and contribute to broader regional development and mobility goals https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advancing-skills-mobility-inclusive-growth-gs4s-roundtable-idwvf
September 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
In Memoriam: It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed Advisory Board member, Professor Margaret Walton-Roberts, on August 11, 2025. We honor her life and lasting contributions, and her legacy will continue to guide and inspire our work. shorturl.at/cRNT0
t is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed Advisory Board member, Professor Margaret Walton-Roberts, on August 11, 2025. A highly respected scholar and a valued contributor to GS4S, Professor Walton-Roberts’ insight and leadership significantly advanced our mission. We honor her life and lasting contributions, and her legacy will continue to guide and inspire our work. https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2025/aug/wilfrid-laurier-university-mourns-the-passing-of-professor-margaret-walton-roberts.html A dedicated scholar, teacher, mentor and colleague, Margaret was a cherished member of the Laurier community and friend to all who knew her. Trained in human geography in both the United Kingdom and Canada, Margaret devoted her academic career to the study of international migration, with a focus on gender and immigration, transnational networks and immigrant settlement. Her recent research explored the global migration of health care professionals, as well as international student migration. Margaret’s work was widely published, with more than 50 journal articles and 43 book chapters, supported by numerous external research grants. Margaret earned a bachelor of arts at Manchester University in the United Kingdom before completing her master’s and PhD at the University of British Columbia.
September 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
@horizongs4s.bsky.social WP#8 "Efforts to Tackle Skills Shortages Across Policy Domains" explores #Skillshortages plaguing European labour markets
@mpc-eui.bsky.social authors #AbigailGoldfarb @jasmijnslootjes.bsky.social #BelenZanzuchi

Downloads gs4s.eu/wp-content/u...
Zenodo shorturl.at/IdRxU
"Efforts to Tackle Skills Shortages Across Policy Domains – Reflections from Migration, Education, and Development Policies" authors from Migration Policy Institute MPI Goldfarb, A., Slootjes, J., & Zanzuchi, B. (2025) Global Strategy for Skills, Migration and Development (GS4S). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15261535 Labour shortages are becoming a critical issue across Europe, reaching historical highs in various sectors. These shortages pose serious risks, undermining essential services like healthcare and slowing down progress on major initiatives, such as the green transition. Europe’s ageing population compounds these challenges, putting further pressure on the labour market and threatening the European Union’s economic prosperity. This working paper examines the complex landscape of policy approaches to addressing skills shortages in Europe, offering a comparative analysis of interventions across migration, education, and development policy domains. Through a detailed exploration of policy responses at both national and European levels, the paper provides a typology of alternatives for mitigating shortages across these policy areas, with a particular focus on the digital, care, and construction sectors. By analysing the diversity of policy responses, the paper identifies emerging trends, challenges, and untapped opportunities to bridge skills gaps in Europe including through enhanced coherence across policy domains. From this typology of potential solutions, it concludes with actionable recommendations to inform future policy development. Download: https://gs4s.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Working-Paper-8.pdf #development #education #labourmigration #migrationgovernance #mobilityschemes #policycoherence #reskilling #skillsdevelopment #skillsmobility #skillsrecognition #skillshortages #upskilling #GS4S #MPI
July 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
How can EU policymakers identify changing labor market skills while ensuring that skills recruitment both in the EU and beyond is fair and efficient? @proftesseltje.bsky.social explores related issues at www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRuB... hosted by our #Horizon sister project @link4skills.bsky.social
L4S Webinar 5: Mobility of International Students and Trainees into the EU
YouTube video by Link4Skills
www.youtube.com
July 9, 2025 at 7:08 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
European Commission report assesses the progress made since 2024 on each of the building blocks of the Pact on Migration and Asylum towards addressing challenges of ensuring the EU's migration management system is fully operational by June 2026 shorturl.at/OVWQ1
Pact on Migration and Asylum: Commission report assesses progress and next steps halfway through implementation
On 11 June, the Commission published a report on the implementation of the Pact, halfway through its transition period. While significant progress has been made since its adoption, further efforts are...
shorturl.at
July 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
EU’s Blue Card saw a significant rise in 2023 yet still accounts for a small share of total migration, as many Member States continue to prioritize national schemes. The EU faces a critical policy question: can the Blue Card become a true cornerstone for attracting global talent? shorturl.at/mVaAB
July 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
ETF Skills Lab Network of Experts
MIG Community - Call for papers

Skills and migration: Complex interplay in the context of mobility schemes
drive.google.com/file/d/1JltP...
June 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
mpc-eui.bsky.social
Why do some people gain access to rights, mobility, or full membership in a country—while others are excluded?

To unpack the themes of this year’s MPC-GLOBALCIT conference, we spoke with 2️⃣ participating scholars: Ashley Mantha-Hollands & Lorenzo Piccoli

Full interview 📌 www.eui.eu/news-hub?id=...
May 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
ec.europa.eu
Today marks a major step forward in deepening EU-Switzerland cooperation.

With negotiations concluded, we’re now strengthening our partnership in areas of common interest, including free movement, trade and health.

To the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides ↓
europa.eu/!BQMmVP
Graphic showing overlapping flags of Switzerland and the European Union with the text 'Deepening EU–Switzerland partnership' in bold blue letters on a white and blue banner. European Commission logo appears in the bottom-right corner.
May 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
profziegler.bsky.social
Interested in The Rule of Law, Multi-layered Human Rights Protection and Constitutional Resilience? Then this conference and CALL FOR PAPERS 👇(to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR (and the 35th anniversary of the Venice Commission) might be for you. www.linkedin.com/posts/centre...
Call for Papers | Centre for European Law and Internationalisation - CELI
Interested in The Rule of Law, Multi-layered Human Rights Protection and Constitutional Resilience? Then this conference and CALL FOR  PAPERS 👇(to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR (and the 35th ...
www.linkedin.com
April 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Global Strategy for Skills, Migration, and Development - GS4S
mpc-eui.bsky.social
Migration governance isn’t about finding the “right” answer — it’s about making better decisions when the stakes are high and the options are imperfect.

Join us this October to explore real-world dilemmas in policy design, service provision, & international cooperation.
🎓 Apply now: loom.ly/6OiXoH8
May 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
Labor/Migration Law Conference, 22 May - Dialogue on the rights of workers (asylum seekers, EU citizens, students, skilled migrants, seasonal workers, etc) and the role of employers, public authorities, NGOs and legal aid
www.ru.nl/en/about-us/events/conference-work-and-migration-law
Conference on Labor/Migration Law (in Dutch/English) 22 May 2025 - Centre for Migration Law, Radboud University, Nijmegen NL Stichting Migratierecht Nederland (SMN) and the Centre for Migration Law at Radboud University (CMR) are jointly organizing the SMN annual conference, "Opportunities and Bottlenecks - Levers for migrant workers and their employers" - Dutch/English. The topic of work and migration law is particularly relevant in these times of shortages on the labor market. Dialogue on Rights of workers (asylum seekers, EU citizens, students, skilled migrants, seconded/seasonal workers) and role of employers, public authorities, NGOs and legal aid. Opening remarks: Jakob Wedemeijer (Stichting Migratierecht Nederland) and Tesseltje de Lange (professor of labour migration, Radboud University). Keynote: Access to the law for EU migrant workers Ellen Timmermans (Quarter maker Access to the law for EU migrant workers at the Legal Desk), reflection by Ashley Terlouw (Professor of Law Sociology Radboud University). Topics in the European and international context for legal protection of working migrants Round table with Aldo Kuijer (State Council Administrative Jurisdiction Division Council of State, Chairman of the Board of SMN), Bram van Melle (lawyer Everaert advocaten) and Younous Arbaoui (university lecturer VU) Moderator: Tesseltje de Lange PANEL DISCUSSION: -Introduction to the legal status and social rights of EU migrant workers WORKSHOPS: -Skills/Migration -Illegal Employment: Employer Sanctions -Asylum Seekers/Work -EU Enlargement -EU Labor Migrants/Right to care and housing -Intra-EU DETACHERING -Irregular Employment in Hospitality -Recruitment of Non-EU Professional -Int'l STEM Student Recruitment/Retention INSIGHTS: *Plenary reflection on the workshops *Wide Prosperity, Human Rights & Legal Practice: Challenges for work and migration law 2025-2030 Tesseltje de Lange https://www.ru.nl/en/about-us/events/conference-work-and-migration-law
May 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
Storytelling with Data: A History of Brain Drain in the Western Balkans www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRgh... explores the reasons skilled workers are migrating to the EU — and what it means for the region's economic future, with recommendations on turning "brain drain" into "brain gain"
Storytelling with Data: A History of Brain Drain in the Western Balkans
YouTube video by GS4S
www.youtube.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
"Working Towards Integration" Dialogue on the Relationship Between Migrant Training and Job Placements, 1/2 day conference (in Italian), Vercelli Italy co-sposored by @fieritorino.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
RSVP - [email protected]
#migrationmatters #socialinclusion #sai #vercelli #integration… | Horizon GS4S
Dialogue on the Relationship Between Migrant Training and Job Placements 📅 Date: 10 May 2025 🕘 Time: 9:00 – 13:00 CET 📍 Venue: Spazio Gioin, Via Giovanni e Ottavio Laviny 67, Vercelli, Italy GS4S&...
www.linkedin.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:39 AM
horizongs4s.bsky.social
GS4S working paper WP8 is out! Skills shortages remain a cross-cutting challenge — no single policy domain can solve them alone. Stronger coordination across migration, education, and employment is critical for real impact. Download at #Zenodo and gs4s.eu/working-pape...
“Efforts to Tackle Skills Shortages Across Policy Domains - Reflections from Migration, Education, and Development Policies” working paper, authors: Abigail Goldfarb, Jasmijn Slootjes, Belen Zanzuchi - MPI Europe. Download at Zenodo and GS4S - Global Strategy for Skills, Migration and Development (https://gs4s.eu/working-paper-series) Labour shortages are becoming a critical issue across Europe, reaching historical highs in various sectors. These shortages pose serious risks, undermining essential services like healthcare and slowing down progress on major initiatives such as the green transition. Europe's ageing population compounds these challenges, putting further pressure on the labour market and threatening the EU's economic prosperity. This working paper examines the complex landscape of policy approaches to addressing skills shortages in Europe, offering a comparative analysis of interventions across migration, education, and development policy domains. Through a detailed exploration of policy responses at both national and European levels, the paper provides a typology of alternatives for mitigating shortages across these policy areas, with a particular focus on the digital, care, and construction sectors. By analyzing the diversity of policy responses, the paper identifies emerging trends, challenges, and untapped opportunities to bridge skills gaps in Europe including through enhanced coherence across policy domains. From this typology of potential solutions, it concludes with actionable recommendations to inform future policy development. Keywords: #development #education #LabourMigration, #MigrationGovernance #MobilitySchemes #PolicyCoherence #reskilling #SkillsDevelopment #SkillsMobility SkillsRecognition SkillsShortages #upskilling. Acknowledgement: This paper is part of the Horizon Europe project GS4S - Global Strategy for Skills, Migration and Development (es4s.eu) working papers series. Funding from the European Union is gratefully acknowledged
April 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM