In the period 18-19.02.2026, the partners in the MAGNET project in Utrecht attended a two-day study visit dedicated to one of the central questions of the project: how regions can strengthen local and regional hubs to better attract and retain international talent, while also fostering innovation and investment. The meeting allowed not only to explore the Dutch ecosystem in practice, but also to exchange experiences, reflect on regional approaches and identify ideas that could be adapted across the partner regions.
The visit began at the International Centre Utrecht, where the partners learned about how the region supports international newcomers. The Centre plays a key role in helping international students, qualified professionals and their families adapt to their new environment by providing practical information, administrative guidance and integration support. The discussion highlighted how coordinated services and strong collaboration between institutions can significantly improve the experience of international talent. For the MAGNET partners, this offered a concrete example of how regional ecosystems can work together to create an efficient and welcoming environment.
During the visit, the partners also learned more about Utrecht University’s approach to welcoming international students and supporting their integration. The university shared insights on how it combines academic orientations with social inclusion initiatives and broader support structures. This exchange sparked valuable reflections on the central role that universities play within regional innovation ecosystems and how international students can be better connected to local labor markets. The partners discussed long-term strategies that help regions retain graduates after their studies and strengthen their efforts to identify and retain talent.
Another important stop was the tour of Plus Ultra Utrecht in the Utrecht Science Park. This dynamic space offers shared labs and flexible workspaces designed to foster collaboration between researchers, startups and companies. Seeing how infrastructure, services and community-building efforts come together in one place illustrated how regional hubs can actively support innovation. The visit showed how lowering barriers for startups, facilitating knowledge exchange between academia and business and creating a dynamic collaborative environment can make a region more attractive for both talent and investment. Over the two days, the partners explored how regional ecosystems coordinate their efforts, examined good practices that support international talent and reflected on what makes a strong and credible regional value proposition. The discussions were practical and future-oriented, helping to transform inspiration into concrete ideas that can be tested and implemented in the partner regions.
The meeting in Utrecht once again demonstrated the value of the MAGNET study visits. The experience of successful practices on the ground and direct engagement with local stakeholders provided new perspectives and strengthened cooperation between partners.
The project “Strengthening regional and local centers for attracting and retaining talent and investment – MAGNET” is funded by the Interreg Europe Program.
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