UNLOCK

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SMEs in border regions experience disadvantages in comparison with businesses in central areas when it comes to attracting employees. Differences in language and culture, employment services, and laws and regulations make hiring employees across the border very complicated. UNLOCK aims to better match supply and demand on the cross-border labour market. This will allow the region to deal with the expected lack of specialists (shrinkage!) and cyclical fluctuations in the workforce. To this end, the following measures are planned: 1. General information and stimulation to work across the border. Provide general information and perform publicity activities to promote the idea, increase awareness, and create a positive attitude towards cross-border labour mobility. 2. Unite intermediaries, processes, and instruments on both sites of the border. EUREGIO provides a platform for partners/networks in the field of labour, employment services, and education in order to achieve sustainable cooperation and mediation. 3. Support SMEs in hiring and retaining of cross-border employees. A ‘GrensInfoPunt’ (border information point) will be installed at EUREGIO as a regional entry point (front office) for employers and employees who have questions about their current, former, or future cross-border job mobility. Additionally, a business plan will be set up in 2016-2017 to secure INTERREG-free, independent, and sustainable funding of the services beyond the project duration.

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