InternshipConnect: launching European cooperation for quality internships

At the end of November 2025, the town of Abbeville, in Picardie Maritime, hosted the first transnational meeting of the InternshipConnect project. Over three days, partners from six European countries came together to officially launch this initiative aimed at improving the quality, inclusion and impact of internships for young people, learners and job seekers.

Organised by Mission Locale Picardie Maritime, this first meeting enabled the partners to lay the foundations for the project: presentation of the organisations, clarification of how the consortium works and planning of the next steps. Discussions also focused on management and communication aspects to ensure the effective implementation of the project within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme.

A highlight of the meeting was the round table bringing together 21 local stakeholders, including young people who had completed internships, companies and training centres. These exchanges provided an opportunity to compare experiences and identify the conditions necessary to make the internship a real opportunity for learning and professional integration. Participants particularly emphasised the importance of clear preparation for internships, structured support from company mentors and effective communication between all stakeholders.

These discussions informed the consortium's initial work on creating a European pilot model for internship support, structured around three phases: preparation, monitoring during the internship and evaluation of learning outcomes. The aim is to propose a common framework that enhances the quality of internships while remaining adaptable to local realities.

Beyond the working sessions, the meeting was also an opportunity to strengthen the human dimension of the partnership. The partners discovered Abbeville and its surrounding area during a cultural visit organised by young people accompanied by the Mission Locale, illustrating in concrete terms the local commitment to youth integration.

This first meeting marks the beginning of a European cooperation that will continue with upcoming meetings planned in Latvia, Slovenia, Ireland, Portugal and Italy, before the final conference in France in 2027. Together, the partners will work to develop tools and practices to strengthen the impact of internships and support the employability of young people across Europe.