A professional network can open doors that job applications alone cannot. That is the idea behind Talents in Networks, a new initiative launched in Agder as part of the Work Without Borders project.

The programme connects international talent with local professionals who can help them navigate the regional labour market, expand their networks, and gain a deeper understanding of professional life in Southern Norway.

This spring, four carefully matched pairs were introduced: four international talents and four dedicated "door openers". Over the coming months, they will meet regularly, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. Through these connections, participants gain access to local knowledge, professional networks, and insights that are often difficult to acquire through formal recruitment channels alone.

Unlike traditional mentoring programmes, Talents in Networks is built around genuine human connection. The focus is not on formal mentoring sessions or predefined career plans, but on trust, conversation, and creating opportunities through relationships.

As the programme develops, door openers will help participants understand the local labour market, make professional introductions, and explore pathways that may otherwise remain invisible. At the same time, international talents contribute with new perspectives, experiences, and competencies that enrich the regional workforce.

The initiative reflects a central ambition of Work Without Borders: strengthening the connection between international students and graduates and the Scandinavian labour market. Across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, project partners are testing and developing methods that help international talent build lasting careers and lives in the region.

By creating stronger personal and professional networks, Talents in Networks contributes to making Agder not only a place to study or work, but also a place to belong.

The programme is implemented in collaboration with Kristiansand kommune and Universitetet i Agder (UiA) as part of the Work Without Borders project. Work Without Borders is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg programme.