The SYnC project was designed to address youth unemployment and promote environmental sustainability through the circular economy. The key objectives were: Educate and Raise Awareness Educate young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, about sustainability and the circular economy. Increase their awareness and understanding to open up entrepreneurial opportunities within this emerging field. Build Capacity of Youth Organizations Enhance the capacity of youth organizations to guide and support young people in exploring their potential for innovation and entrepreneurship within the circular economy. This capacity building is essential for creating an environment where youth can develop and execute sustainable business ideas. Promote Cross-National and Cross-Sectoral Knowledge Transfer Facilitate knowledge sharing across different countries and sectors. Encourage collaboration and the exchange of best practices to drive the widespread adoption of circular economy principles, thereby promoting sustainable development across Europe. The project aligns with the E. Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan, equipping young people for sustainable entrepreneurship to address environmental challenges and youth unemployment
The SYnC project was designed to address critical challenges faced by young people across the EU, particularly in light of environmental concerns and economic instability. According to a Eurobarometer survey, 67% of young respondents ranked environmental protection and climate change as top priorities, signaling a growing awareness of sustainability issues among the youth. This heightened awareness, combined with their active involvement in environmental movements, indicated a significant shift towards embracing sustainability as a core value. The COVID-19 further underscored the urgent need for sustainable production and consumption models, while simultaneously exacerbating youth unemployment. Already vulnerable due to pre-existing economic crises, young people faced even greater barriers in entering the labor market during this period. These challenges called for innovative solutions to both youth unemployment and the growing demand for sustainable economic models. In response, the project created a non-formal educational framework designed to introduce young people and youth workers to the principles of the circular economy.