Diversifying labour markets in industrial cities of the Danube Region via enhanced stakeholder cooperation & skills matchmaking to support local transitions & promote long-term sustainable development

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

SteelCityZen is a collaborative endeavour of 11 partners from 9 countries (HU, RO, BA, ME, CZ, BG, RS, AT, SI) aimed at addressing the shared challenges faced by (mono)industrial cities across the Danube Programme Region (DPR). CHALLENGE: When it comes to local labour markets, these cities – characterised by their strong reliance on single, often resource intensive industries – confront significant vulnerabilities conditioned by local skills path dependencies, volatile operation of major industrial enterprises, and increasing push for green and digital transitions. These vulnerabilities affect a big part of their local populations (incl. esp. citizens with lower education levels). While local branches of regional / national public labour market support organisations are dedicated to providing support to local citizens and businesses with regards to employment issues, they lack a connection to local place-based development processes, failing to stay attuned to new local labour market challenges presented by local (industrial and twin) transitions. Thus, there is a strong need for enhancing the mechanisms of labour market support and related capacity building for public authorities and labour market professionals. OBJECTIVE & EXPECTED CHANGE: The project’s overarching objective is to empower Danube Region towns with strong (mono)industrial legacies in facilitating labour market diversification aligned with the priorities of their local economic restructuring (including green & digital transitions). This is to be achieved via strengthening local stakeholder cooperation and coordination (under the leadership of municipalities working closely with local employment support bodies) and enhancing local skills needs assessment & matchmaking mechanisms. By the end of this project, municipalities of the SteelCityZen partner cities and local labour market professionals will be better equipped for supporting local labour market diversification processes. APPROACH & ITS TRANSNATIONALITY: SteelCityZen presents a comprehensive approach to labour market diversification in (mono)industrial cities of the DPR. Stemming from the premise that such cities need to tackle multiple economic transitions when developing labour market interventions, the project offers an innovative framework to support municipal decision-making and support functions regarding local re-/upskilling, employment and job creation practices. Central to SteelCityZen's approach is the recognition of the need for a transnational perspective. The project was designed to address the baseline problem of creating solutions for cities undergoing difficult industrial transition periods; however, by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among cities across the Danube Region, the project seeks to leverage collective expertise and resources to ensure that project solutions can be adapted to any specific context. The main feature of the SteelCityZen methodology is its flexibility reflected in its ability to accommodate both commonalities and specificities of the labour market situations in 8 DPR SteelCityZen cities. MAIN OUTPUTS & TARGET GROUPS The main project outputs include: # 3 innovative solutions for supporting labour market diversification and relevant capacity building processes (O2.2), validated via relevant pilot actions (O2.1). These solutions include: 1) Online Platform for local labour market restructuring (skills needs assessment & matchmaking at the local level), 2) Community-driven spaces for local labour market diversification attuned to the local labour market challenges & vulnerabilities, 3) Long-term frameworks of cooperation between municipalities and local employers for developing local job placement & re-/upskilling aligned with local economic priorities. # Joint Strategy and Action Plans (O3.1) jointly developed within the partnership for all 8 SteelCityZen cities to elaborate on the measures for increasing the adaptiveness of municipalities and local labour support organisations to the needs of local labour market diversification. These outputs are geared towards empowering municipalities, businesses (including bigger enterprises and SMEs), and local communities to navigate the complexities of economic and labour market restructuring and embrace the changing role of municipalities in the process. The learnings from the project are meant for further use, replication, and capacity building among municipalities and labour market professionals across the Danube Region. WHAT IS NEW & ORIGINAL ABOUT STEELCITYZEN: So far there has been no other project aimed at supporting municipalities in adopting a comprehensive approach for labour market diversification in (mono)industrial cities. Thus, SteelCityZen represents a bold and forward-thinking initiative that holds the potential to catalyse positive transformation across the Danube Region and beyond.

Expected Achievements (EN):

SO1 aims to lay the foundation for the SteelCityZen project implementation via establishing robust stakeholder cooperation, mapping local labour market needs & vulnerabilities in the SteelCityZen cities, and defining strategic directions for restructuring local labour markets in alignment with social economy principles. Upon completion of the SO1 activities and the delivery of related outputs, the SteelCityZen cities will be equipped with: - Better understanding of the prospects of labour market diversification in their local contexts and a better grasp of the obstacles standing in the way, - Better knowledge of relevant good practices in the Danube region and beyond and the latest innovations related to labour market diversification processes and their relevance for the Danube Region context, - Active cooperation relationships with a diverse range of local stakeholders. SO1 processes are carried out under the overall coordination of OSTR and include 2 main activities. The project SO2 aims to develop, test, and analyse solutions for promoting local labour market diversification and addressing local labour market vulnerabilities. SO2 is the core of the SteelCityZen approach. In particular, two main project outputs are linked to this SO, namely: pilots & solutions jointly developed by the partnership (O2.1, O2.2). These also feed into the Joint Strategy & Local Action Plans (O3.1), as well as an important project outcome, SteelCityZen Toolbox for Labour Market Diversification (D3.2.2). Upon delivery of SO2 outputs, SteelCityZen PPs will have hands-on experiences in implementing labour market diversification solutions and analysing their success & replicability potential. This transnational knowledge will be channelled into SteelCityZen cities’ policy-making, as well as capacity building & awareness raising activities for stakeholders (SO3). SO2 processes are carried out under the overall coordination of GAL & include 3 main activities. Drawing on the learnings accumulated within SO1 and SO2, SO3 aims at building capacities of local public authorities (A3.1), integrating the solutions developed within SO2 into local policy frameworks (A3.3), and disseminating the project learnings among wider audiences at regional, national, and international levels (A3.2, A3.4). Upon the implementation of all SO3 activities, SteelCityZen PPs have 1) local stakeholder organisations (esp. public authorities and labour support organisations) with increased capacities, 2) a systematised collection of tools for promoting local labour market diversification, 3) the SteelCityZen approach and solutions promoted at different governance levels and communicated among a wide range of local stakeholders. The main output of SO3 is Joint Strategy for Local Labour Market Diversification and Local Action Plans developed for each PP (O3.1). SO3 processes are carried out under the overall coordination of KAK and entail 4 main activities.

Project outputs: Project partners and associated strategic partners cooperating across borders for fostering local labour market diversification processes in industrial cities of the Danube Region(EN)
Testing solutions for promoting local labour market diversification (developed transnationally under the guidance of Transnational Working Groups) in the PP cities’ local contexts(EN)
3 solutions for supporting local labour market diversification processes developed and validated via pilot actions(EN)
Joint Strategy & Action Plans for Labour Market Diversification in SteelCityZen Cities(EN)

Thematic information

Urban development Labour market and employment Education and training

Priority: (VI-B_D_3) Priority 3 - A more social Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO4.1. Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 135 Measures to promote access to employment of long-term unemployed

Partners (11)

Lead Partner: Dunaújváros Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15727000-2-07

Department: Deputy Mayor's Office for Economic Affairs and Coordination

Address: Városháza tér, 2400 Dunaújváros, Hungary

Department address: Városháza tér, 2400 Dunaújváros, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://dunaujvaros.hu/

Total budget: EUR 376 704.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 301 363.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 75 340.80

Contractors:

Name: HBH Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 10412426-2-41

ÖSB Consulting GmBH

Name: ÖSB Consulting GmBH

Department: International projects

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU16129605

Address: Obere Donaustrasse, 1020 Vienna, Austria

Department address: Obere Donaustrasse, 1020 Vienna, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://en.oesb.at/

Total budget: EUR 192 380.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 904.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 476.00

Opština Stara Pazova

Name: Opština Stara Pazova

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101241970

Address: Svetosavska, 22300 Stara Pazova, Serbia

Department address: Svetosavska , 22300 Stara Pazova, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.starapazova.rs

Total budget: EUR 127 280.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 101 824.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 456.10

Община Стара Загора

Name: Община Стара Загора

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 000818022

Address: Tsar Simeon Veliki , 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Department address: Tsar Simeon Veliki , 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.starazagora.bg/

Total budget: EUR 124 410.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 99 528.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 24 882.00

Občina Ravne na Koroškem

Name: Občina Ravne na Koroškem

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI48626244

Address: Gačnikova pot, 2390 Ravne na Koroškem, Slovenia

Department address: Gačnikova pot, 2390 Ravne na Koroškem, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.ravne.si

Total budget: EUR 160 453.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 362.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 090.70

Privredna komora Zeničko-dobojskog kantona

Name: Privredna komora Zeničko-dobojskog kantona

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 218056880003

Address: Mehmedalije Tarabara, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Mehmedalije Tarabara , 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.pkzedo.ba

Total budget: EUR 69 148.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 55 318.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 13 829.60

Općina Kakanj

Name: Općina Kakanj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4218305690007

Address: Branilaca, 72240 Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Branilaca, 72240 Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://kakanj.gov.ba/v5/

Total budget: EUR 149 299.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 119 439.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 859.90

Opština Nikšić

Name: Opština Nikšić

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02021633

Address: Njegoševa, 81400 Nikšić, Montenegro

Department address: Njegoševa , 81400 Nikšić, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://niksic.me/

Total budget: EUR 129 380.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 103 504.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 876.00

Moravskoslezský pakt zaměstnanosti, z.s.

Name: Moravskoslezský pakt zaměstnanosti, z.s.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 07864507

Address: Varenská, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://mspakt.cz/en/about-us/

Total budget: EUR 101 556.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 81 244.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 311.20

Statutární město Ostrava, Městský Obvod Slezská Ostrava

Name: Statutární město Ostrava, Městský Obvod Slezská Ostrava

Department: Municipality district Sleszká Ostrava

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ 00845451

Address: Prokešovo náměstí, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic

Department address: Těšínská, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.ostrava.cz/en?set_language=en

Total budget: EUR 189 391.13

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 151 512.90

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 878.23

Municipiul Galați

Name: Municipiul Galați

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO11538251

Address: Domneasca, 800008 Galati, Romania

Department address: Domneasca, 800008 Galati, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.primariagalati.ro/

Total budget: EUR 184 769.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 147 815.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 953.80

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

ÖSB Consulting Ltd

Diversifying labour markets in industrial cities of the Danube Region via enhanced stakeholder cooperation & skills matchmaking to support local transitions & promote long-term sustainable development

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Stara Pazova

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Stara Zagora

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Ravne na Koroškem

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Commerce of Zenica-Doboj Canton

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Kakanj

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Nikšić

Partners and Projects info

Moravian-Sileasian Employment Pact

Partners and Projects info

Statutory City of Ostrava, City District Sleszká Ostrava

Partners and Projects info

Galati Municipality

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Dunaújváros

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Diversifying labour markets in industrial cities of the Danube Region via enhanced stakeholder cooperation & skills matchmaking to support local transitions & promote long-term sustainable development

Project acronym: SteelCityZen

Project ID: DRP0301318

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

RIS4DANU: Sustainable Smart Specialisation for the Re-opening of Industrial Sites in the Danube Region (Horizon Europe & Danube Flagship Project)
The RIS4Danu project aims to foster social, sustainable, and technological transitions in the Danube Region by revitalising abandoned industrial sites. Its objectives include drafting strategic business plans for over 20 recently closed sites, focusing on digital and traditional industry growth alongside sustainable and inclusive practices. The project also aims to offer policy recommendations, identifying innovation barriers and fostering synergies with other R&I funding programs. Moreover, it seeks to evolve the Smart Specialisation methodology towards Sustainable Smart Specialisation (S4) to promote green structural change. The project advocates that reopening old industrial sites could catalyse transformative resilience in disadvantaged regions, serving as innovation hubs to address region-specific challenges effectively.
(EN) | While RIS4DANU is not directly focused on labour market diversification and its partnership has primarily regional dimension, RIS4Danu can serve as an important reference for the first exploratory phase of the SteelCityZen project (SO1).
RIS4Danu tackles the structural transformations in traditionally industrial regions (in particular, the closure of enterprises and associated displacement of workers) via reimagining regional industrial heritage –with the active engagement of local communities– into a source of innovation for regional economies. The RIS4Danu’s focus on innovation is also crucial from the perspective of local job generation essential for the SteelCityZen project, and its exploration of S3/S4 approach can help SteelCityZen cities better pinpoint sectors of further economic and labour market diversification.
RIS4Danu learnings can be especially useful for developing pilots in Kakanj and Ravne na Koroškem (D2.1.3, D2.2.2), as well as for other PP cities interested in promoting green transition.
SteelCityZen PPs will establish contacts with RIS4Danu during the project (D3.4.4). It is expected that the SteelCityZen solutions on cooperation frameworks for upskilling, local skills needs assessment and matchmaking will support RIS4Danu processes from the perspective of enhancing local labour markets around the industrial sites.
(EN), LOTTI: Local identity driving traditional industry transition (Interreg Europe)
The project aims to strengthen regional policy-making capacities for innovative industrial regeneration rooted in local identity. Partner regions (coming from FI, ES, PL, IE, FR, IT), share common challenges in transitioning from traditional manufacturing economies to ones embracing digital and green transformations. LOTTI emphasises re-establishing local identities and skill sets to harness new opportunities in S3 sectors. Embracing place-based approaches, LOTTI seeks to empower public authorities in fostering citizen-led, innovative, and sustainable transitions driven by industrial heritage and local identity. Its objectives include engaging citizens in proactive industrial transition, revitalising local identities to spur innovation, and linking identity with new job and entrepreneurial prospects aligned with S3 sectors and industrial regeneration.
(EN) | Like in the case of RIS4Danu, LOTTI is not directly focused on labour market diversification. Nevertheless, its exploration of place-based approaches can serve as a good reference for SteelCityZen SO1 activities where municipalities define priorities for their economic and labour market restructuring processes and explore potential ways of re-imagining local identities (A1.1, A1.2).
Due to similarities in historical and socio-economic contexts, experiences from Poland (Silesia Province / city of Zabrze) would be especially interesting for the SteelCityZen project. As a city historically associated with mining and heavy industry, Zabrze will be targeted as one of potential invitees into the SteelCityZen City Network (D3.2.3).
(EN), NONA - New gOvernance for New spAces; (Danube Region Programme; 2024-2026)
NONA aims to develop a new multi-level governance model for mainstreaming green investment into sustainable territorial development in the Danube region. The project focuses on reevaluating the value and potential of existing assets, especially degraded areas. It plans to deliver a robust, scalable model for green investment, empowering cities to implement responsible land use practices
(EN) | The NONA project's focus on sustainable territorial development, green investment, and multi-level governance aligns with the goals of SteelCityZen. While the initiative does not directly address the topic of employment, NONA’s model for promoting green investments could be leveraged by SteelCityZen cities for promoting local sustainable industrial diversification.
As part of the NONA project, RNK will share insights into the governance solutions for mainstreaming green investments with fellow SteelCityZen partners during a dedicated masterclass for municipalities (D3.1.4).
(EN), ReInd-BBG – Reindustrialization based on the brownfield better than greenfield principle (Danube Region Programme; 2024-2026)
Adopting the principle “brownfield better than greenfield principle (BBG)”, the project aims at revitalisation of former brownfield industrial sites through new functions (productive, cultural, recreation etc.), esp. in small- and medium-sized towns of the Danube Region.
(EN) | Brownfield redevelopment is not in the focus of the SteelCityZen project; nevertheless, as an initiative driven by the Danube Region small- and medium-sized industrial towns, ReInd-BBG is of significant interest for current project partners. ReInd-BBG’s exploration of such topics as increasing private investment attractiveness of smaller cities, alleviating marginalisation of former workers’ settlements that historically appeared next to industrial sites, and stakeholder-driven urban planning will feed into the SteelCityZen SO1 activities.
The learnings from ReInd-BBG will be channelled by NIKS and DF VOJV, who are accordingly a partner and an Associated Project Partner in this project.
(EN), NEBoD – New European Bauhaus on the Danube (NEB Lab)
NEBoD aims to support local communities in the Danube region in transforming their public spaces to build sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful living spaces. The project focuses on implementing concrete solutions, developing business models, increasing local community capacities, and promoting New European Bauhaus (NEB) values.
(EN) | NEBoD's focus on sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful living spaces aligns with SteelCityZen's objectives of creating a model of a well-functioning and liveable industrial city in the Danube Region. NEBoD’s emphasis on green jobs, business opportunities, and community involvement can serve as source of insights for SteelCityZen's efforts in promoting local economic diversification and creating high-value jobs. Learning about the NEBoD community-led approach will be especially relevant for partners implementing pilot action 2 focusing on establishing hubs for local stakeholder cooperation and in-person services (D2.2.2).
As part of the NEBoD initiative, RNK will share insights into the green and sustainable investment solutions stemming from on-the-ground experiences and contributing to local green jobs generation during a dedicated masterclass for SteelCityZen municipalities (D3.1.4).
(EN), TRAUTOM – Competences for 21th century (Operational Programme Just Transition, 2024-2027), implemented by MS PAKT in the Moravian-Silesian region (CZ)
The project aims at defining future competencies and educational needs of employees / job seekers in transitional sectors. It supports corporate education in the context of green and digital transformation, via enhancing qualification and retraining processes and facilitating the transition of employees / job seekers from endangered professions to new, higher-quality employment within or outside the existing industry. Particular focus is on energy, steel and metal processing, and automotive sectors.
(EN) | The recently launched TRAUTOM project provides financial and consultation support schemes for enterprises developing transformation plans for upskilling / reskilling their employees to future-proof their employment situations in the context of green transition, as well as retaining jobs. This practice will be carefully studied during SteelCityZen Pilot 3 preparation (setting up new frameworks and mechanisms of cooperation between municipalities and employers for creating upskilling / reskilling and job placement programmes) (D2.1.4, D2.2.3).
MS PAKT will share knowledge from this project with other PPs when preparing the analytical report on good practices in labour market diversification (D1.2.1), as well as the 2nd Transnational Workshop (D1.2.4).
(EN), KOMPAS – Prediction of the labour market in Moravian-Silesian region (European Social Fund, 2017-2022)
Building on the premise that forecasting future employment tendencies can significantly enhance labour market matchmaking processes, the project aimed to predict expected development of the labour market in the Moravian-Silesian Region in the 5-year horizon. The results of this data collection and analysis were channelled into an online resource helping interested parties understand e.g. which fields of study will be promising in the future, how to effectively plan HR strategies in the context of regional labour market development etc.
(EN) | While forecasting of local labour market trends is not in the focus of the SteelCityZen project (due to the complexity of this process requiring dedicated specialised capacities), the learnings from the KOMPAS project will feed into preparing SteelCityZen pilot 1 (establishing an online platform supporting local labour market diversification) (D2.1.2, D2.2.1). Partner cities will explore the methodology lying behind the KOMPAS platform and discuss how it can be adapted to the local contexts of the Danube Region, as well as how its elements can be included into the piloted SteelCityZen online platform. Paving the way towards developing such a tool would be a significant asset within the context of local labour market diversification in industrial cities since it would allow a stronger data-driven approach for developing local strategies. It would also empower local employment support organisations to operate with data-driven predictions when encouraging local citizens to participate in upskilling / reskilling programmes.
As the owner of the project, MS PAKT will share knowledge from this project with other PPs when preparing the analytical report on good practices in labour market diversification (D1.2.1), as well as the 2nd Transnational Workshop (D1.2.4).
(EN), Danube Region Platform on Centres of Vocational Excellence (Danube Flagship Project)
Launched by EUSDR Priority Area 9 in collaboration with the ETF in 2021, the Platform provides a forum for sharing knowledge and good practices with regards to centres of vocational excellence stemming from regional, national, and international experiences in the Danube Region.
(EN) | The Platform aims to support and enhance the operation of Centres of Vocational Excellence, which serve as “catalysts for local business investment, supporting local innovation and smart specialisation strategies by ensuring supply of high quality skilled workers through flexible and timely offer of training” (EUSDR Action Plan). Vocational education is of uttermost importance for the processes of local labour market restructuring in SteelCityZen cities, which in all cases is also related to green transition. While educational stakeholders are not involved in the SteelCityZen partnership, and the transformation of educational landscape (except of the programmes linked to local employers) are outside of the project scope, SteelCityZen can both contribute to and learn from the Platform on CoVes. This is especially so in the context of the priority identified by the Platform for 2023-2024, which is skills for the green transition in the Danube Region.
When developing training and awareness raising activities on green jobs & skills (esp. in case of pilot activities in Kakanj (D2.2.2) and Stara Zagora (D2.2.3)), SteelCityZen will build on the materials produced by the initiatives partnering with the Platform (e.g. Skills for the Green Transformation Toolkit by VETToolbox). In its turn, SteelCityZen partners will share its insights stemming from the project implementation with the Platform.
SteelCityZen PPs will establish contact with the Platform and participate in its events (D3.4.4).
(EN), House of Skills (Amsterdam; ERDF + ESF funding)
This project is a programme of the Amsterdam Economic Board, developed for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region (with similar programmes being replicated in other parts of the Netherlands). The programme aims to connect employers, job seekers, and other relevant stakeholders for promoting lifelong learning and skills-oriented approach in local labour market practices.
(EN) | House of Skills is promoting a ‘skills-first’ approach in hiring and career guidance practices, which stands for
filling vacancies by prioritising skills over formal work history or official credentials. This approach is widely discussed across the EU as having the potential to tackle labour market gaps, as well as reduce the barriers to employment faced by many people lacking educational or professional credentials.
This approach can prove to be fruitful for industrial cities in need of labour market diversification. ‘Skills-first’ approach can help local employers in new sectors identify people with transversal skills as their potential employees, while job seekers / workers at risk of redundancy due to local transitions can clearly see a wider pool of local employment opportunities. ‘Skills-first’ approach will be part of discussion of good practices (D1.2.1), as well as joint pilot methodological framework (D2.1.1).
Additionally, the online tools developed by the initiative will serve as inspiration for the final outline of the Pilot 1 Online Platform functions (D2.1.2, D2.2.2). These tools are “The Fitting Room” and “Skills Passport”, both helping job seekers to identify their skills, relate those to open vacancies, get insights into potential career steps and opportunities on the labour market.
(EN), Passport4Work (Urban Innovative Actions, 2018-2021), developed in Eindhoven
The project aims at transforming the path to (re)employment for individuals with lower levels of education. It facilitates collaboration among employers, job seekers, and governmental entities via creation of an accessible, cross-sectoral platform supporting recruitment and career guidance at the local level.
(EN) | Like House of Skills, Passport4Work promotes a ‘skills-based’ approach assisting job seekers to identify their transferable skills and employers to identify relevant professionals without official educational / professional credentials.
The example of Passport4Work will feed into the following SteelCityZen elements:
1) the general methodological framework of pilot actions (D2.1.1): discussing potential taxonomies of skills and occupations to support the local industrial and labour market transitions;
2) functions of the SteelCityZen Online Platform related to local skills assessment and matchmaking (D2.2.1).
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 804 771.63

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 443 817.30

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Joint methodology for stakeholder analysis and surveys
8 stakeholder surveys & 1 joint stakeholder analysis report
1st in-person transnational PP workshop: discussing stakeholder analysis & activation
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan developed per each PP city
Tools & channels set up for partnership and stakeholder communication and knowledge sharing
Local stakeholder collaborative sessions in SteelCityZen cities
Analytical report on good practices in labour market diversification
Joint methodology for analysing status quo of local labour markets in SteelCityZen cities
Status quo analysis reports: local& comparative perspectives on foreseen labour market restructuring
2nd transnational PP workshop: discussing good practices, status quo analysis & pilot preparation
Joint
methodological foundations for Pilots
2-monthly Reports on the activity of Transnational Work Group 1 (TWG1) (M12-M26) for Pilot Action 1
2-monthly Reports on the activity of Transnational Work Group 2 (TWG2) (M12-M26) for Pilot Action 2
2-monthly Reports on the activity from Transnational Work Group 3 (TWG3)(M12-M26) for Pilot Action 3
3 pilot planning factsheets (one per each TWG): specification of pilot scoping
Monitoring frameworks for Pilot Actions 1-3
Pilot 1: Online platform supporting local labour market diversification (M13-M26)
Pilot 2: Community-driven physical spaces supporting specific local labour market needs (M13-M26)
Pilot 3: Cooperation between municipalities and employers for labour market restructuring (M13-M26)
3rd online transnational PP workshop: Mid-term pilot review (M18)
In-person cross-pilot peer reviews among PP cities (M19-M24)
4th online transnational PP workshop: Pilot action analysis
Analytic report: pilot replication opportunities at local, regional, national, transnational levels
Capacity building sessions for labour market professionals in SteelCityZen countries
Capacity building events for businesses in SteelCityZen countries
Awareness raising sessions for citizens in SteelCityZen cities and regions
Aligning labour markets with green transition: masterclass for municipalities
Guidance on SteelCityZen approach to capacity building
SteelCityZen Toolbox for Labour Market Diversification
The SteelCityZen City Network for sustaining the project results and ensure future cooperation
Policy roundtables with regional & national policy stakeholders (M25-M32)
Joint Strategy for Labour Market Diversification
Local Action Plans for SteelCityZen cities: integrating, and sustaining tested solutions
Project communication toolkit: Strategy & media (prep. by M5)
Media appearances and promotional materials (M5-M36)
SteelCityZen closing conference (M35)
Contacts established with relevant projects & initiatives on labour market transitions & upskilling

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion EUSDR intends to develop coordinated policies and actions in the Danube region. The most relevant Priority Area is # PA 9 (People & Skills). More specifically, SteelCityZen contributes to the following PA 9 objectives: i) it contributes to higher quality training and labour market systems as all SteelCityZen pilots & solutions (O2.1, O2.2) are aimed at strengthening local skills intelligence, needs assessment and matchmaking processes, and closing local labour market gaps; ii) it contributes to closer cooperation between educational-, training- and labour market-, and research institutions through its aspirations to strengthen local stakeholder cooperation; and iii) it contributes to ensuring inclusive education and training and promoting inclusive labour markets via the project’s focus on people with lower education levels and people with long-term employment in one occupation/ company, who are not well-adapted to new local labour market realities. Additionally some pilot elements (e.g. in CZ) bring social work and labour market services together to holistically analyse the needs of lower skilled workers (D2.2.2).
Other relevant PAs for SteelCityZen include:
# PA 8 (Competitiveness of Enterprises). The project uses its pilot actions (SO2) to develop tested solutions for (mono)industrial labour markets that improves support programmes (D3.1.4) and capacity of stakeholders (via D3.1.1-2), to enhance cross-border collaboration between Danube cities.
# PA 10 (Institutional Capacity & Cooperation). This PA is reflected via capacity building, knowledge sharing, introduction of the SteelCityZen Toolkit (D3.2.2), and testing of municipality - employer cooperation models (D2.2.3).
Ultimately, SteelCityZen aims to lay the foundations for a Danube region-wide solution set to enhance collaboration, diversify local labour markets, and build the competitiveness of Danube region cities’ economies – making it fully aligned with EUSDR.
EuropeanGreenDeal The overall aim of the European Green Deal is to make Europe the first climate neutral continent. The Green Deal sets the blueprint for a transformational change, thus it requires the adaptation of a new economic model. The new approach considers new opportunities for innovation and investment and jobs, to reduce emissions, create jobs and growth, address energy poverty, reduce external energy dependency, improve citizens’ health and wellbeing. By focusing on (mono)industrial cities in the Danube Region, SteelCityZen contributes to the European Green Deal in the context of paving the way to the green transition of these cities. More specifically, SteelCityZen aims to develop tools that support local labour market diversification (incl. green jobs growth and green upskilling) in industrial cities, in many cases dominated by emission-intensive industries. Building capacities of local public authorities and public employment and business support organisations within the SteelCityZen project paves the way towards green transformation of local economies and labour markets.
Given that green transition is high on the agenda of the SteelCityZen cities, green jobs generation and green upskilling is an essential cross-cutting topic that will appear throughout the PPs’ exploration of their local labour market diversification prospects (especially in SO1). Some highlighted relevant activities include 1) establishment of a Green Skills Coworking Hub in Kakanj (within Pilot 2 (D2.2.2)), serving as a testbed for community-driven promotion of green transition in local labour markets, 2) a masterclass on good practices in aligning labour markets with green transition for municipalities (D3.1.4). As elaborated in C2.8, SteelCityZen will also develop synergies with the Danube Region initiatives dedicated to promoting green investments, which will provide a prominent backing for discussing relevant labour market developments.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The Territorial Agenda 2030 provides an action-oriented framework to
promote territorial cohesion in Europe. The territorial priorities most relevant for SteelCityZen are 1. Better balanced territorial development utilising Europe’s diversity, 2. Convergent local and regional development, and 3. Strong and sustainable local economies in a globalised world. SteelCityZen aims to empower Danube Region towns with strong industrial legacies in facilitating labour market diversification aligned with the priorities of their local economic restructuring (incl. green & digital transitions). Thus, by strengthening local stakeholder cooperation and coordination and enhancing local skills needs assessment & matchmaking mechanisms, the project contributes to the attainments of the TA 2030 priorities quoted above. Additionally, SteelCityZen’s goal of empowering local employment support actors (incl. municipalities & local branches of Regional / National Employment Agencies) to become better attuned and adaptive to specific needs & priorities of labour market diversification at the city level is well-aligned with TA 2030 priorities of developing place-based approaches and building stronger connections between actors at different governance levels.
By enhancing the diversification of labour markets, stakeholder collaboration, and the green transition potentials of PP cities, SteelCityZen promotes the territorial cohesion of Danube regions. SteelCityZen also encourages interconnectivity of less and more developed regions with distinct growth potentials by: joint efforts in pilot action development (A2.1) and capacity building initiatives (A3.1) and local adaptation of validated solutions (O2.2) within and beyond the Danube Region.
Other Through a multifaceted approach that prioritises municipality-driven solutions and comprehensive capacity-building of relevant stakeholders, SteelCityZen seeks to facilitate labour market diversification of (mono)industrial Danube regions in line with the Urban Agenda for the EU.
For example, by fostering stronger partnerships among key stakeholders, incl. municipalities, employment support organisations, businesses, educational institutions, and community organisations, SteelCityZen creates a conducive environment for holistic economic restructuring. This collaborative framework enables the pooling of resources, expertise, and insights necessary for the effective design and implementation of tailored strategies to address the unique challenges faced by Danube Region cities with strong (mono)industrial legacies.
Moreover, the project emphasises the importance of enhancing local skills needs assessment and matchmaking mechanisms (incl. new green jobs). Through these comprehensive skills assessments, the project identifies the evolving demands of emerging green and digital sectors. This informed approach ensures that training and education programmes are aligned with the current and future needs of the local labour market, thus enhancing the employability of residents, promoting economic resilience, and facilitating the sustainable development of PP cities – also contributing to the EU Urban Agenda.
Finally, the project facilitates targeted matchmaking between job seekers and employment opportunities via the online platform (D2.2.1), awareness raising sessions (incl. workshops and career fairs) (D3.1.3), new training & job placement programmes developed jointly with local employers (D2.2.3), and the introduction of community-driven spaces supporting local labour market needs (D2.2.2), thereby reducing disparities in access to employment.
Other The European Skills Agenda (EUSA) is a five-year plan to help individuals and businesses develop more and better skills and to put them to use, by # strengthening sustainable competitiveness, # ensuring social fairness, and # building resilience to react to crises, based on the lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SteelCityZen directly contributes to EUSA by recognizing the need for skills development tailored to the evolving demands of emerging sectors. Through comprehensive skills needs assessments conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders, the project identifies skill gaps and mismatches, thereby informing the design and delivery of targeted tools (D3.2.1), and awareness raising programmes (D3.1.3). These efforts ensure that individuals are equipped with the necessary competencies to thrive in the changing labour market landscape, thus promoting competitiveness and innovation.
Secondly, the project fosters the development of transversal skills essential for success in the modern workforce, as well as explores the ‘skills-first’ approach in HR strategies in the context of tackling local labour market needs.By providing opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, particularly in areas related to green and digital technologies, the project empowers individuals to navigate career transitions and seize new employment opportunities.This emphasis on skill development aligns closely with the objectives of the EUSA, which seeks to promote a culture of continuous learning and skill upgrading across Europe.
Through its focus on labour market diversification and skills dev., SteelCityZen aligns closely with the priorities outlined in the EUSA.By equipping municipalities, employment organisations, local employers, and citizens with the skills and competencies needed to succeed in the green and digital economies, the project contributes to building a skilled, adaptable, and resilient workforce capable of driving sustainable growth and prosperity across Europe
Other The European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) is about better delivering on rights for citizens by building on 20 key principles – and SteelCityZen contributes to several of them.
First, the project promotes equal opportunities and access to the labour market, as enshrined in Priorities 1-4 of the EPSR (Education, training and life-long learning; Gender equality; Equal opportunities; Active support to employment). By providing training and upskilling opportunities, as well as employment support tailored to the specific needs of citizens of industrial cities (esp. people at risk of losing the sources of their livelihood due to on-going / future transitions, i.a. people with lower education levels), the project helps to overcome barriers to employment and fosters greater inclusivity within the labour market. Aiming at aligning labour market diversification with the principles of social justice, SteelCityZen aspires to actively engage different social organisations during local stakeholder sessions (D1.1.6) so that all voices are heard and nobody is left behind. This intention is in line with the EPSR 8 Priority (Social dialogue and involvement of workers).
Finally, the project is also aligned with EPSR Priority 5 (Secure and adaptable employment). While not directly tackling regulations around employer-employee relationships, SteelCityZen PPs aspire to promote generating jobs that are not associated with precarious working conditions (an issue discussed within status quo analysis and stakeholder surveys in SO1). Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset among local citizens will also be part of exploration initiated between municipalities and local employers within D2.2.3 (esp. in Stara Zagora).
Other The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. For SteelCityZen, the most relevant SDGs include:
# By facilitating labour market diversification and local economic restructuring to embrace green and digital transitions, the project aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Through initiatives focused on assessing needs of local labour markets (A1.2), enhancing municipal/ employer collaboration frameworks (D2.2.3), and capacity building and awareness raising (via workshops, career fairs, etc.) (A3.1), the project promotes inclusive economic growth and contributes to the creation of sustainable livelihoods within these communities.
# The project's emphasis on green transitions directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By promoting solutions that allow industrial Danube cities to transition out of their non-environmentally friendly industries, e.g. coal, steel, etc., the project contributes to advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future in PP cities.
# Finally, the project's efforts to strengthen local stakeholder cooperation and coordination contribute to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By fostering collaboration among municipalities, businesses, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, the project promotes effective partnerships for sustainable development, enhancing the capacity of local communities to address shared challenges and achieve common goals.
In summary, by facilitating labour market diversification and local economic restructuring in the Danube region, SteelCityZen contributes to multiple UN SDGs. Through its holistic approach to sustainable development, the project plays a crucial role in advancing the global agenda for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.
Other SteelCityZen was designed to address the baseline problem of creating solutions to empower Danube Region towns with strong industrial legacies in facilitating labour market diversification aligned with the priorities of their local economic restructuring. Thus, it will contribute to a number of relevant national strategies from PP countries (including both EU and non-EU member states). Some examples of these national strategies include:
RO: The National Sustainable Development Strategy via the project’s promotion of green skills, innovation, and sustainable economic practices, which can, in turn, contribute to the national goal of achieving a balance between economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection; the National Strategy for Employment 2021-2027 which outlines the vision and objectives for the country's labour market development and aligns with the ambitions of SteelCityZen.
BIH: Development Strategy of the Federation of BiH for 2021-2027 (which specifically focuses on the support of business development and reduction of unemployment and social exclusion).
RS: The National Employment Strategy of the Republic of Serbia (2021 - 2026) which partially focuses on diversification of training and educational possibilities for unemployed citizens.
SI: Slovenia Industrial Strategy, where the project's focus on creating high-value jobs, promoting sustainable economic development, and adapting jobs and work organisation to demographic changes aligns with the strategy's goals of ensuring a sustainable working life, creating quality jobs, and promoting greater inclusion in the labour market.
Ultimately, through the implementation of pilot actions, and the drafting of local Action Plans, SteelCityZen will ensure that the project aligns with and contributes to existing national strategies of PP countries to maximise the project’s overall impact.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA), Kakanj, Alije Izetbegovića street, bb, 72240

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

Diversifying labour markets in industrial cities of the Danube Region via enhanced stakeholder cooperation & skills matchmaking to support local transitions & promote long-term sustainable development

Description

Thematic information

Partners (11)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer