A new European alliance to attract and leverage international talent
The internationalization process of the Bologna metropolitan area takes another strategic step forward with its official membership in the International Talent Network. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding strengthens Bologna's positioning within key European networks dedicated to attracting, welcoming, and retaining international professionals, researchers, and students—further confirming the city's role as an innovation and knowledge hub.
The Metropolitan City and the Municipality of Bologna are joining the network through the Bologna for Talent service, which has already supported over 200 talents from more than 30 countries during their relocation process, while reaching over 800 professionals through business matching initiatives and networking events.
The network’s founding partners—Barcelona City Council, Utrecht International Center, Brno Expat Centre, and amiga - Career Center for Internationals—are among the most active European entities in talent attraction and retention. The Metropolitan City and the Municipality of Bologna join in synergy with ART-ER, which, together with the Emilia-Romagna Region, plays a leading role on these key initiatives.
Objectives and future actions
Within this framework, Bologna becomes part of a permanent working group featuring regular meetings and an annual coordination event. The International Talent Network will make it possible to leverage global talent as a strategic driver for regional development and competitiveness through three main pillars:
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Sharing best practices, data, and insights in talent attraction and retention policies;
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Developing joint projects and applying for European funding dedicated to talent mobility and support services;
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Strengthening international networking among institutions, businesses, and civil society.
The initiative aligns with the broader framework of European talent policies, working in synergy with EU tools such as the EU Talent Pool and the Harnessing Talent Platform to attract international expertise and reinforce local ecosystems.
👉 For more information: Visit the International Talent Network Website