Projects & collaborations
The Utrecht International Center (UIC) works with regional, national and international partners to strengthen Utrecht’s international ecosystem. Through projects and collaborations, we support among others talent attraction and retention, international mobility, social cohesion and sustainable economic development, including dedicated support for EU labour migrants, by translating policy and innovation into practical impact.
Explore our projects and collaborations below.
MAGNET – Strengthening Hubs for Talent and Investment
The Utrecht International Center (UIC) is a partner in project MAGNET, a European Interreg project focused on strengthening regional and local hubs that attract and retain international talent and investment.
MAGNET recognises hubs as key strategic contact points within cities and regions. These hubs bring together services, networks and expertise that support SMEs, stimulate innovation and contribute to sustainable economic development. By improving how hubs operate and collaborate, MAGNET helps regions become more competitive and attractive places to live, work and invest.
Our role within MAGNET
Through UIC’s participation, the Utrecht region contributes its experience in supporting internationals, talent attraction and retention and ecosystem collaboration. UIC actively exchanges knowledge with European partners and brings insights from the project back to the Utrecht region, strengthening local services and strategies for internationals and employers.
How MAGNET works
MAGNET is built around interregional learning and the exchange of good practices. Together with six European partners, the project focuses on improving policy instruments related to:
- Organisational models and contact points of hubs
- Stakeholder engagement aligned with regional value chains
- Services and incentives offered to talent and investors
- Hub positioning, value propositions and promotional strategies
The Partners
The seven partners of the MAGNET project are:
- Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Italy (Lead Partner, coordinating activities and guiding the overall strategy);
- ART‑ER S.Cons.p.A., Italy;
- Centre for Development of the East Planning Region, North Macedonia;
- Panevėžys Development Agency (public institution), Lithuania;
- Centru Regional Development Agency, Romania;
- Pannon Business Network Association, Hungary;
- City of Utrecht, The Netherlands.