The objectives of REACT! were threefold. Firstly, the initiative seeked to create innovative learning tools on circular economy, social entrepreneurship, and personal development for youth workers in Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. These tools will enhance the capacity of youth workers to equip young people with the necessary skills demanded by the current labour market and overall societal context. Secondly, REACT! aimed to provide online learning opportunities on circular economy, social entrepreneurship, and personal development to a group of more than 100 youth workers from the five target countries. Finally, the initiative built the capacity of a group of 15 youth workers to train and transfer skills on circular economy, social entrepreneurship, and personal development to young people. Through these objectives, REACT! seeked to empower youth workers and young Europeans to create a more sustainable society.
The REACT! initiative is poised to take advantage of the current shift towards sustainability in Europe. The European Skills Agenda recognizes the need to equip young people with the innovative and green skills required to address environmental and societal challenges. Despite their awareness of these challenges, youth workers in Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain lack the necessary resources to support young people in this regard. These countries have identified sustainability and circular economy as priorities in their long-term strategies, yet there remains much to be done. To address this, the partnership developed an innovative curriculum that focused on social entrepreneurship, circular economy, and personal development for youth workers in the five countries. The curriculum consisted of online learning resources, trainer guidelines, and inspirational materials produced in collaboration with young entrepreneurs, enabling youth workers to empower young Europeans and equip them with the skills needed to make their society more sustainable.