Non-formal education and learning has an important role to play in responding to youth unemployment. This is because it supports development by helping to transform young peoples’ potential, creativity, talents, initiative and social responsibility, through the acquisition of related knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The purpose of youth workers is not to provide jobs but engagement in the wide variety of personal and social development activities that it offers, helps young people to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are frequently said to be needed in the labour market. In this way youth work contributes to closing the gap between the competences acquired by NEET´s and the needs of the labour market. The COVID-19 crisis has turned from a global health crisis into a severe economic crisis. The policy responses taken to fight the pandemic have resulted in economic shutdown, leaving millions out of work, with young people, women and less-skilled people worst affected. That is why, this project responds to reality and offers the necessary creativity tools to our NEET to be able to find alternatives for employment and a good way to the development of necessary creaticity skills for life, either professionally or personally, and giving tangible options to develop projects that allow NEET to launch their business idea. This Erasmus project aims to exchange good practice between partners and train youth workers to support, motivate and address better to NEETs’ needs, namely: the need to break the cycle of isolation/social exclusion; lack of motivation to become an active entrepreneur; lack of self-awareness of their passions/talents and, even, the low self-esteem and lack of key-skills that are required to take an initiative to create their own business. Therefore, the objectives of the project are: Main objectives: To introduce the concept and potential benefits of social entrepreneurship to youths facing social exclusion due to low skills and unemployment (NEETs). To map and collect information on NEETs situation along with examples of best practices of young entrepreneurs to create a Ebook. To promote the exchange of good practices among partners on social entrepreneurship , strengthening cross-cooperation and a multidisciplinary approach. To professionalize and competence development of youth workers, supporting the acquisition of skills through non-formal and informal educational, to train and guidance NEETs with regard to the necessary skills NEET need in order to compete effectively in the business environment. To support labour market inclusion of European youth not in employment, education or training (NEETs) through a training path that gives knowledge and new creativity entrepreneurial skills. To provide entities with creativity tools and methods to involve NEET´s on social entrepreneurship. To foster quality improvements in youth work, in particular through enhanced cooperation between entities in the youth field and other stakeholders. To raising awareness and motivate the NEETs about entrepreneurship through local awareness activities. Target group: - Entities - Youth workers - (NEET) youths Activities: 4 transnational Project meetings 1 Short staff training course C1 5 Workshops focus on NEET and entrepreneurship 1 Ebook of good practice young entrepreneurs 5 Local campaign for dissemination and awareness.
Our primary objective in implementing this project was to facilitate the exchange of good practices among partners and equip youth workers with the necessary skills to better support and address the needs of NEETs. We aimed to break the cycle of isolation and social exclusion that many NEETs face by providing them with the motivation and support to become active entrepreneurs. Recognizing the importance of self-awareness and self-esteem, we sought to help NEETs discover their passions and talents. Additionally, we aimed to address the lack of key skills required to take the initiative in creating their own businesses. To achieve these goals, we set out the following objectives for the project: - Introduce the concept of social entrepreneurship to NEETs facing social exclusion, low skills, and unemployment. We wanted to highlight the potential benefits of social entrepreneurship as a means to empower and uplift individuals. - Conduct a comprehensive mapping exercise to collect information on the situation of NEETs and gather examples of best practices from young entrepreneurs. Our aim was to create an Ebook that would serve as a valuable resource for sharing knowledge and inspiring others. - Promote the exchange of good practices among project partners, focusing on social entrepreneurship. We sought to strengthen cross-cooperation and encourage a multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration and innovation. - Enhance the professionalization and competence development of youth workers. We aimed to support their acquisition of skills through non-formal and informal education, enabling them to provide effective training and guidance to NEETs in the necessary skills for success in the business environment. - Facilitate the labor market inclusion of NEETs through a training path that provided knowledge and new entrepreneurial skills with a focus on creativity. We aimed to equip NEETs with the tools and competencies required to thrive in the business world. - Provide entities involved in the project with creativity tools and methods to engage NEETs in social entrepreneurship. We aimed to empower organizations to effectively involve NEETs in entrepreneurial activities and initiatives. - Foster quality improvements in youth work by enhancing cooperation between entities in the youth field and other stakeholders. We believed that collaborative efforts and partnerships could lead to enhanced outcomes and opportunities for NEETs. - Raise awareness and motivate NEETs about entrepreneurship through local awareness activities. We aimed to create a sense of enthusiasm and interest in entrepreneurship among NEETs, encouraging them to explore and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. By achieving these objectives, our ultimate goal was to create a positive impact in the lives of NEETs, empowering them to overcome barriers and become successful entrepreneurs.
Siamo stati motivati a candidarci per questo progetto per il ruolo significativo che l'imprenditorialità svolge nel guidare la crescita economica. Siamo consapevoli che il pensiero creativo è essenziale per generare idee innovative e garantire il successo degli sforzi imprenditoriali. Prima della pandemia di COVID-19, un numero preoccupante di giovani adulti, circa uno su cinque, era classificato come NEET (non in istruzione, occupazione o formazione). Questi giovani NEET hanno affrontato sfide in termini di limitata esperienza nel mercato del lavoro, mancanza di reddito e scarsità di opportunità di sviluppo delle competenze attraverso l'istruzione formale. Per combattere la disoccupazione giovanile e soddisfare le esigenze dei NEET, abbiamo riconosciuto il ruolo fondamentale che l'istruzione e l'apprendimento non formali potrebbero svolgere. Abbiamo mirato a sfruttare il potenziale, la creatività e i talenti dei giovani fornendo loro conoscenze, abilità, attitudini e valori pertinenti attraverso iniziative di educazione non formale. Il nostro intento come animatori giovanili non era solo quella di favorire l’occupazione giovanile, ma anche di coinvolgere i giovani in un'ampia gamma di attività di sviluppo personale e sociale. In tal modo, abbiamo mirato a fornire loro le conoscenze, le competenze e le attitudini che sono molto richieste nel mercato del lavoro. Il nostro obiettivo era quello di colmare il divario tra le competenze acquisite dai NEET e le esigenze del mercato del lavoro, aumentando in ultima analisi la loro occupabilità. Abbiamo mirato a sviluppare le loro capacità creative, sia professionalmente che personalmente, e fornire loro opportunità tangibili per sviluppare le loro idee imprenditoriali. Affrontando queste esigenze, abbiamo mirato a responsabilizzare i NEET, consentendo loro di trovare alternative per l'occupazione e promuovendo il loro sviluppo generale. Il nostro progetto mirava a fornire loro le capacità creative necessarie per affrontare le sfide del mercato del lavoro e offrire loro opzioni tangibili per realizzare le loro aspirazioni imprenditoriali.