The GJG project set out with the ultimate goal of empowering youth workers by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide the younger generation towards sustainable careers in the emerging green economy. Recognising the gap between current educational outcomes and the demand for green skills in the labour market, we aimed to bridge this gap by equipping youth workers with an in-depth understanding of essential green skills and competencies. This should not only strengthen the capacity of youth organisations to promote sustainable development, but also catalyse the professional growth and personal development of the youth workers themselves. To this end, we launched a series of Open Educational Resources (OERs): a detailed guidebook providing a foundation in green skills, interactive e-learning modules for engaging learning experiences, and a practical toolkit providing step-by-step guidance for implementing green skills training. These resources have been carefully designed to update youth work curricula and ensure alignment with the evolving needs of the green economy.
The motivation to apply for the Green Job Growth (GJG) project was driven by a keen awareness of the paradigm shift in global economies towards sustainability, as highlighted by the EU Green Deal. With the green economy expanding rapidly, we identified a significant skills gap among young people who were not adequately prepared for the emerging job market focused on environmental protection and sustainability. This gap highlighted a critical mismatch between existing educational frameworks and the skills required by the new green economy. We aimed to bridge this gap by developing and delivering innovative educational tools and methodologies for youth workers. These resources were designed to empower youth workers to effectively guide young people not only to secure employment in the green economy, but also to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable and responsible world.