On 9th and 10th September 2025, FIP took part in the first Mutual Learning Event for LTU Call beneficiaries hosted by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation in Nantes, France.
The event brought together project teams from across Europe who are working on innovative approaches to tackling long-term unemployment (LTU). It provided space to take stock of our progress, exchange lessons, and see first-hand how French organisations are supporting people back into work.
The first day focused on project presentations and peer exchange. Each team gave a short update on where their project stands, what has gone well, and the challenges faced. It was useful to see the variety of approaches being piloted, from skills training to local employment partnerships, and to spot common issues we are all navigating.
A workshop on stakeholder engagement encouraged us to map our ecosystems and consider how to involve partners more strategically. Later, a panel discussion with practitioners and policymakers explored what works when addressing LTU at community level. Speakers shared insights from initiatives in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, emphasising the importance of local coordination, sustained funding, and tailoring support to individual needs.
The second day took us out of the meeting room and into the field. We visited Mauléon, where we met the Local Committee for Employment of the Territory and the Mayor, Pierre Yves Maroleau, who described how local actors are working together to create jobs and training opportunities for people who have been out of work for long periods.
We then toured the Entreprise Solidaire d’Initiatives et d’Actions Mauléonaise (ESIAM), which runs both woodwork/pallet manufacturing services and a joinery recycling workshop. These visits gave a clear picture of how targeted, place-based efforts can offer practical employment, skills development, and social inclusion in a rural setting.
Over the course of the two days we had the opportunity to appreciate and compare the nine different approaches being taken by the beneficiaries, build relationships with peers and understand how these French organisations are addressing LTU on the ground as part of the Zero Long Term Unemployed Territories (TZCLD) Initiative.
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