PARTICIPRO aimed at improving the employability of young people in the field of civil protection planning. The project also aimed to create a tool for participation in Civil Protection planning, flexible enough to be used both as a working and a learning tool; in addition, the project aimed at selecting and training 10 young persons. The project also intended to sensitise citizens and public authorities so they will better cooperate in case of natural disasters. Finally, PARTICIPRO aimed at increasing democracy and share common values, by stimulating civic engagement and participation.
Needs can be retrieved firstly in the high rate of youth unemployment. Second, civil protection system needs the right skills; the first thing that catches the eye is the heterogeneity of required skills and competences and their degree of specificity. Third, volunteers’ wish to transform a passion into a job. What moves a person to become a volunteer is a strong will to help the others, a passion in doing that; our society, tends to lose the idea of passion connected to a job; and a job done with passion is destined to achieve more and better objectives. Finally, the development/support of entrepreneurial spirit and entrepreneurship skills is fundamental to reinforce the link between training activities and job market and improve employability. The project have also responded to other target group’s needs (public administration, citizens) as it has become clear how an informed and involved community is better prepared to respond to an emergency and better equipped to fulfill public authorities’ indications.