Representatives of the seven Network4Work partner organisations gathered in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, on 4–5 March 2026 for the project's first transnational meeting. Hosted by the Municipality of Nyíregyháza, the event officially launched the network's transfer journey and provided partners with their first opportunity to explore the good practice that lies at the heart of the project.
The meeting was opened by Mayor Dr. Ferenc Kovács, who welcomed the participants to Nyíregyháza and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing labour market challenges. As both Lead Partner and holder of the Employment Forum good practice, Nyíregyháza plays a central role in supporting the transfer process throughout the project.
The first day focused on helping partners get to know each other, their local contexts and the employment-related challenges they face. Representatives of each partner organisation presented their cities and regions, shared the labour market challenges identified during the project preparation phase, and reported on the first steps taken to establish their URBACT Local Groups. Participants also discussed their expectations regarding the project and the results they hope to achieve through the transfer process.
An interactive workshop facilitated by Lead Expert Petra Grgasović enabled partners to compare and analyse their challenges from a transnational perspective. Although the participating cities differ in size, geography and economic structure, the discussions revealed several common concerns, including labour shortages, skills mismatches, workforce transitions and stakeholder coordination.
A major part of the meeting was dedicated to understanding Nyíregyháza's Employment Forum, the good practice that Network4Work aims to transfer and adapt. Through interviews with local practitioners and interactive workshops, participants explored how the model operates in practice, how local stakeholders are engaged and how cooperation between public authorities, employers, education providers and civil society organisations contributes to better labour market governance. Representatives of the Employment Forum and the Nyíregyháza Industrial Park shared their experiences and answered questions from partner cities.
The second day focused on the practical implementation of the project. Partners discussed project management, communication and dissemination activities, as well as the methodology and timeline of the upcoming Transferability Study process. Special attention was given to the planned city visits, which will help partners better understand each other's local realities and identify the elements of the good practice that can be successfully adapted to their own contexts.
Beyond the meeting sessions, participants had the opportunity to discover Nyíregyháza through a guided city walk and a study visit to LEGO Manufacturing Nyíregyháza, one of the city's major employers. The visit provided valuable insights into the needs and expectations of local businesses and highlighted the importance of maintaining strong links between employers and labour market stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on next steps and confirmed a shared commitment among partners to strengthen stakeholder cooperation and improve local employment governance through the transfer of Nyíregyháza's Employment Forum model.
The next transnational meeting of Network4Work will take place in Varberg, Sweden, where partners will continue their learning journey with a focus on understanding target groups and labour market behaviour.
