The event, entitled “Cross-border Labour Mobility and European Integration in the Western Balkans”, will gather representatives from EU institutions, national and regional authorities, academia, and cross-border organisations to discuss how addressing labour mobility challenges can support EU enlargement and competitiveness in the Western Balkans.

The Pannon EGTC has actively applied the b-solutions initiative to overcome obstacles in cross-border employment between Hungary and Croatia. This experience demonstrates how EU tools can provide practical solutions to labour mobility challenges and serves as an inspiring example for the Western Balkans, where similar barriers hinder integration.

Throughout the day, participants will explore a wide range of perspectives on how to make cross-border labour mobility a driver of growth and European integration. Discussions will look at the role of EU institutions, frameworks and initiatives such as EURES, ESAP and EUSAIR, as well as the specific challenges of legal harmonisation, social protection and fair labour conditions.

Special attention will be given to Western Balkan experiences and case studies: from cross-border employment between Bosnia and Croatia, through regional cooperation across Hungary, Serbia and Romania, to innovative solutions like cross-border health insurance models. The conference will also provide space for strategic dialogue on how border regions can strengthen governance, cooperation and institutional capacity to better connect to the EU labour market.

For the Pannon EGTC, this conference is not only about sharing good practices, but also about reaffirming our mission. We are convinced that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union, and that building strong, fair and efficient cross-border labour markets is a vital step on this path. By connecting regions, institutions and people, we aim to contribute to a smoother and faster integration process that benefits both the Western Balkans and the EU as a whole.

???? Venue: University of Osijek Campus, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
???? Time: 09:00–16:00, followed by a reception

???? Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 20 September 2025: https://forms.gle/UD6Ud7x5qPQvzNnJ9