Work Without Borders (WWB)
Every year, thousands of international students graduate from universities and colleges in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Although many of them have sought-after skills, it is far from certain that they will remain in the region after graduation. The Work Without Borders project aims to change that.
The project will test methods and tools together with partners, which will then lead to a common method and model that can be used throughout Scandinavia.
Project partners:
- Studenterhus Aarhus (DK) (koordinerande organisation)
- Erhverv Aarhus (DK)
- VIA Univeristy College (DK)
- University of Agder (NO)
- Business Region Kristiansand (NO)
- Campus Varberg (SE)
Activities 2026
May
On 11 May, Halmstad University is organising a webinar on the labour market in Halland, where Region Halland will present findings from the latest forecasts. International students from all project partners are invited. Lena Johansson, Study and career counsellor, discusses the need for highly educated staff in Sweden and what international students wishing to work in Sweden need to know.
April
On 15–16 April, the University hosted a partner meeting in Halmstad. The meeting focused on partners’ presentations of completed activities, lessons learned, and planned adjustments within the project’s various work packages. The programme also included external contributions on regional attractiveness, skills provision, and factors influencing international students’ integration into the labour market. Participants met international students on campus and discussed how diversity can be utilised as a resource in working life.
On 28–29 April, a hackathon was held at Campus Varberg for international students from all project partners in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, as well as students from higher vocational education programmes at Campus Varberg. Over two intensive days, teams collaborated across national borders to develop concrete concepts, which were presented in final pitches. The hackathon provided students with practical experience, new perspectives, and international networks while working on real business challenges. The company Icons Of acted as the case owner, while Qlok provided technical support as students explored how data and AI can contribute to smarter and more sustainable solutions.
February
The project participated in the Arbetsmarknadsdagen which is a career fair organised to help Halmstad University students find contacts and pathways into working life.
Project partners from Denmark, Norway and Sweden visiting Halmstad in spring 2026.
What are the expected outcomes of the project?
In the short term, the project will:
- Provide international students with better tools and networks for finding jobs.
- Make employers more receptive to hiring international talent.
- Create a method – an ‘international talent journey’ – that can be used by other actors in the region.
In the longer term, the goals are to:
- Reduce the labour shortage in the Kattegat-Skagerrak region – Region Halland in Sweden, Region Midtjylland in Denmark and Sørlandet in Norway.
- Increase diversity in working life.
- Contribute to growth and exports through better skills provision.
