Project title: Skills for Labour Market Integration
Project acronym: BorderLink
Project ID: CB1000697
Programme name: Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027
Programme priority: Improved employment opportunities
Programme objective: PO6 – Improved employment opportunities on labour market
Project implementation period: 01.07.2026–30.06.2028
Lead Partner: Latgale Planning Region, Latvia
Project partners:
Ida-Viru Enterprise Centre, Estonia
Development Centre of Võru County, Estonia
Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Latvia
The total project budget is EUR 836,086.80. The project co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is EUR 668,869.44.
The budget of the Latgale Planning Region is EUR 321,956.00, of which EUR 257,564.00 is ERDF co-financing.
The main objective of the BorderLink project is to improve the employment and entrepreneurial skills of young people up to 25 years of age in the Latvia–Estonia border regions – Latgale, Ida-Viru and Võru counties – with special attention to young people from social risk groups.
BorderLink will support 225 young people in Latgale, Ida-Viru and Võru in developing their entrepreneurial and transferable skills through a joint practical training programme. Young people will take part in business-related learning activities, pitching sessions, matchmaking events, short-term work-shadowing activities and mentoring with local enterprises.
As a result, participants will gain practical experience, greater confidence in their abilities and better opportunities to find employment, internships or start self-employment. The project will also strengthen cross-border cooperation between schools, enterprises and regional organisations in Latvia and Estonia.
In the long term, BorderLink will contribute to reducing youth outmigration from the regions, provide local businesses with future talent and improve employment opportunities in remote border areas.
Planned activities:
- Development of a joint training programme for young people to strengthen entrepreneurial, digital and other transferable skills needed in the labour market.
• Preparation of teachers and trainers for the implementation of the developed training programme in the participating regions.
• Piloting of the training programme with youth groups in Latgale, Ida-Viru and Võru counties.
• Implementation of the training programme for young people up to 25 years of age, including young people from social risk groups.
• Organisation of cross-border workshops and practical sessions to promote cooperation between young people from Latvia and Estonia.
• Organisation of youth and entrepreneur matchmaking events to build links with potential employers.
• Organisation of short-term work-shadowing activities in enterprises.
• Implementation of mentoring programmes for young talents in cooperation with local entrepreneurs.
• Organisation of a final entrepreneurship fair / idea demonstration event to present the project results.
This project is co-financed by the European Union. The Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 promotes cross-border cooperation to address common challenges and build a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive Central Baltic region. Programme website: centralbaltic.eu. Official EU website: www.europa.eu.
This article has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The content of this article is the sole responsibility of Latgale Planning Region and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
Contact information:
Sarmīte Teivāne
Project Manager
Latgale Planning Region
E-mail: sarmite.teivane@lpr.gov.lv