🇱🇻 InternshipConnect: A Key Milestone of the Project at the Transnational Meeting in Riga

The TPM2 transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ project InternshipConnect was held in Riga, Latvia, from March 24 to 26, 2026. It brought together all the partners around a common goal: to develop a support model aimed at facilitating access to the workforce, improving the monitoring of internships, and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders.

Project Progress and Coordination of Activities

This meeting provided an opportunity to conduct a detailed review of the progress made on the various work packages, notably WP1 (project management), WP2 (pilot program to support internships), and WP4 (communication, knowledge transfer, and dissemination).

Each organization presented its activities, clearly identifying completed tasks, ongoing tasks, and next steps.

Key elements discussed included:

• the development of an app based on a modular learning path

• the production of various deliverables (guides, reports, videos, open badges)

• the implementation of mandatory quarterly reports from December 2025 to 2027

• a schedule of transnational meetings through 2027

  
  

Development of the Internship Support Model

The project is focused on developing a support model for Erasmus+ internships, structured into four phases:

• before the internship

• preparation

• during the internship

• after the internship

This model identifies two complementary roles:

the facilitator, responsible for social, emotional, and inclusive support

the mentor, focused on technical and professional expertise

It is aimed at a diverse range of audiences, including young NEETs, disadvantaged groups, and people with disabilities, in various settings (training centers, companies, employment services).

Taking Audience Needs into Account

Discussions with young people helped refine the model to align with the expectations of the target audiences. These discussions highlighted:

• the professional and cultural enrichment associated with international mobility

• the diversity of educational systems in Europe

• the importance of mentoring and the associated challenges

Several issues require further exploration, including the standardization of mentoring, recognition of mentors, language preparation for trainees, and monitoring of mobility programs.

Development of a Centralized Application

The partners also worked on developing a centralized application led by Mission Locale Picardie Maritime.

This platform aims to:

• facilitate communication between young people, mentors, and organizations

• offer a variety of content (videos, modules, articles, exercises, tools)

• integrate a three-phase assessment system

• explore the integration of Open Badges for skills recognition

The model is based on short, modular sessions adapted to national contexts, with a particular focus on accessibility and multilingualism.

Next Steps for the Project

The meeting helped define the next steps:

• finalizing the support model and training sessions

• defining criteria related to Open Badges

• preparing for the meeting in Slovenia

The model is scheduled to be validated at the next transnational meeting in Slovenia in June 2026, prior to the deployment of the hubs under WP3.

Conclusion

The TPM2 meeting in Riga helped consolidate the project’s progress, particularly regarding management, the development of the internship support model, and communication activities.

It confirms the importance of a structured, inclusive, and adaptable model, as well as the central role of cooperation among partners in supporting target audiences toward employment.