Lille Métropole is boosting employability through MobiliMEL
In a region where access to reliable transport can mean the difference between employment and exclusion, the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL) is taking action. Since 2017, its flagship initiative, MobiliMEL, has been tackling one of the most overlooked obstacles to employment: mobility.
Launched to support job seekers facing commuting challenges, MobiliMEL provides both individualised guidance and a comprehensive online platform. The programme is designed around five key pillars:
- Coordination and information sharing
- Personalised support via dedicated mobility advisors
- Awareness-raising among employers
- Training for employment professionals
- Support for mobility-focused pilot projects
At last, personalised support
At the heart of the initiative are two mobility advisors who work directly with individuals in the Lille metropolitan area. Their mission is practical and impactful: they help people learn how to navigate public transport, understand their rights to mobility aid, explore alternative modes of transport, and even accompany them on their journeys to build confidence.
Importantly, MobiliMEL is not just for jobseekers. Its services extend to:
- Students and trainees
- People with disabilities
- Individuals on income support or unemployment benefits
- Workers on temporary or precarious contracts
This broad approach reflects MEL’s understanding that mobility issues are not confined to one group—they affect entire communities.
The outcomes speak for themselves. In 2023, 96% of participants reported improved mobility, and 77% saw an increase in employability. These figures highlight the programme’s effectiveness not just as a transport solution, but as a stepping stone toward social and economic inclusion.
Expanding digital tools
In parallel, MobiliMEL’s online platform, developed by Compétences et Emplois in 2021 and updated in 2024, has become a vital resource. It provides detailed listings of local transport options, information about financial aid, access to personalised support, and resources promoting sustainable transport alternatives.
The platform features over 100 local initiatives—from bike repair workshops and electric bike rentals to carpooling services and solidarity driving schools. Programmes like Vélo-Égaux, MyMobility, and Flexipev'ailes show how communities across the Lille area are innovating to meet mobility needs for people from all walks of life.
Whether it is helping with job searches via thematic workshops like Mobil'Job CCAS Armentières or offering bike lessons to adult female learners through Vélo en S’elles, MobiliMEL connects individuals with services tailored to their unique circumstances.
For more information or to explore mobility services in the Lille area, visit the MobiliMEL website.
