The GEA project seeks to empower young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to become resilient and innovative in the face of the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is focused on teaching Roma and non-Roma green business practices that have no adverse effects on the environment, community, or economy. It also aims to equip these entrepreneurs with the necessary digital and entrepreneurial skills to succeed in the green industry. Ultimately, the project seeks to empower young entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses with a positive impact on their communities. Objectives O1. To provide youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds with training and mentoring on green entrepreneurship and digital tools in order to support them develop, start and promote their own green companies. O2. To improve aspiring green entrepreneurs’ digital skills O3. To provide good practice/methodology for youth educators who support the green business sector O4. To raise awareness of young people across Europe on green entrepreneurship through intense dissemination activities and an online campaign.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated youth unemployment, particularly among young Roma, who are significantly more likely to be unemployed, NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and early school leavers. Green entrepreneurship offers a great potential to empower and mobilize young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to engage in efforts to achieve social objectives such as poverty reduction, inclusion and integration. To help young entrepreneurs become more competitive and resilient in the face of economic challenges brought by the pandemic, the GEA project is actively promoting green businesses with no negative environmental, social or economic impacts. Through this project, disadvantaged young people have the opportunity to start their own businesses and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.