The European labour market is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers across various industries. This situation is a result of demographic changes as well as the ongoing green and digital transformation.

At the same time, there are more than 120 million displaced people worldwide, many of whom are highly skilled but lack access to legal employment. Displaced individuals include those who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. Their circumstances often prevent them from obtaining work permits and hinder their professional integration.

The Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) 2.0 project offers an innovative solution by connecting displaced individuals in Jordan, Lebanon, and other countries with European employers in Belgium, France, and Slovakia. This program allows companies to tap into an underutilised talent pool while helping displaced people build stable futures. DT4E supports both employers and talents at every stage of the process—from initial matching to integration assistance upon arrival in the new country.

One of the main challenges in establishing safe migration pathways is the complexity of visa and work permit processes, which can extend the procedure for up to six months. Another barrier is the recognition of diplomas and qualifications, particularly in regulated sectors such as healthcare and law. DT4E works to address these obstacles by collaborating with governments, educational institutions, and employers to make the process smoother and more efficient.

The project has already delivered tangible results across EU countries—more than 122 displaced talents and their 43 family members have found employment in Europe. Among them is Ammar from Syria, who, after years of uncertainty, secured a stable job in Belgium. Stories like his demonstrate that skilled labour migration can be beneficial for both individuals and society.

"DT4E is an international project that allows us to bring best practices from abroad to Slovakia. Since this is the second phase of the project, it is extremely helpful to have direct access to insights from colleagues who have already gone through a similar process."
— Viktória Skřivánková, DT4E Project, IOM Slovakia

DT4E is now entering its second phase, expanding its operations to additional countries, including Slovakia. This project provides employers with a unique opportunity to innovate their recruitment strategies while fostering an inclusive and sustainable economy.

"Through DT4E 2.0, we are learning how to technically establish complementary pathways for displaced individuals to come to Slovakia. The project also helps us better understand how attractive foreign workers are to local employers and what Slovakia has to offer to skilled professionals from abroad."
— Viktória Skřivánková, DT4E Project, IOM Slovakia

This project is funded by the European Union.

For more information about the project, visit our colleagues’ website in Belgium:
🔗 https://belgium.iom.int/displaced-talent-europe-dt4e

Learn more about IOM’s efforts to establish sustainable migration pathways on our global website:
🔗 https://www.iom.int/facilitating-pathways-regular-migration