MOBILISE coordination team meets in Maastricht to plan final project phase and explore sustainability
From 19 to 22 October 2026, Maastricht School of Management (MSM) hosted a Coordination and Sustainability Workshop under the MOBILISE project, bringing together the project management team from MSM and Aeres University of Applied Sciences and MSM country coordinators from Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia. After three years of project implementation, this was the first opportunity for the full coordination team from all four countries to meet in person, providing a valuable occasion for cross-country learning, exchange of experiences and joint reflection on the future of the project.
The workshop provided a platform to share lessons learned from the implementation of international mobility programmes and in-country traineeships, comparing experiences, achievements and challenges across the participating countries. Discussions focused on identifying good practices and opportunities for improvement, particularly regarding participants' preparation, cooperation with host companies and support for employment and entrepreneurship after return.
A central topic was the planning of new mobility pilots targeting fresh graduates and employees. The team also engaged in joint brainstorming on the sustainability of MOBILISE results, exploring alternative talent development models, opportunities for institutionalising training approaches and potential future partnerships and initiatives.
The workshop concluded with agreed priorities for the remaining project period, including further development of the mobility pilots, monitoring of alumni outcomes, dissemination of project results and preparation of national and international final events in 2027.
On the last day, the team visited three organisations in the Limburg region, near Venlo, to gain further insights into the Dutch horticultural sector. Visits to Westburg and Bruinen, two horticultural companies that have participated in MOBILISE as host companies, offered perspectives on the latest technologies applied in horticultural production, as well as the challenges faced by family-run agribusinesses in the Netherlands and how they are adapting to a changing sector. The team also visited the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, an example of public-private partnership serving as a hub for research, product development and entrepreneurship support in the agrifood sector.
The workshop strengthened coordination and mutual learning across the four countries, while contributing to a shared vision for the final phase of MOBILISE and opportunities for continued cooperation beyond the project.
To stay up to date with the progress and impact of the MOBILISE project, register for the quarterly newsletter or visit the MOBILISE website.
The Migration Partnership Facility
This news item has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, contracted by ICMPD through the Migration Partnership Facility. The contents of this news item are the sole responsibility of the Maastricht School of Management, Maastricht University, and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and that of ICMPD.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
The MOBILISE project is part of MSM’s Expert Centre on Emerging Economies (ECEE) and exemplifies MSM's commitment to fostering international collaboration and developing sustainable solutions in climate-smart agriculture. By bridging the gap between education and industry, the project contributes to the creation of a skilled workforce capable of addressing the challenges of modern agriculture.
The ECEE department is an expert centre on sustainable private sector development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture, and health. For more information, click here.
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