The International Labour Organization had estimated that 73.4 million people aged 15–24 were unemployed worldwide, representing 43% of the global youth population. In Europe, and particularly in Greece, youth unemployment was a critical concern, with Greece ranking first in youth unemployment rates. Recognizing that mastering ICT skills was becoming essential to address the gap created by the digital revolution and the COVID-19 outbreak, the ReBOOTCAMP project was launched. Although there was a growing demand for ICT experts across the EU, it was evident that fewer students were choosing ICT-related fields. ReBOOTCAMP directly tackled this challenge by empowering young people with digital skills, introducing them to coding, and offering innovative pathways to enhance their employability and bridge the gap between education and the labor market.
We applied for the ReBOOTCAMP project to tackle critical gaps in youth digital skills across Europe. Although considered "digital natives," many young people, especially NEETs, lack job-relevant competencies like coding, digital literacy, and critical thinking, which are essential for today’s labor market. We addressed several key needs: Digital Skills Gap: Shortage of young workers with strong ICT skills. Youth Unemployment: High unemployment and social exclusion rates among youth. Limited Innovative Learning: Lack of coding and creativity training in traditional education. Inclusive Education: Need for flexible, accessible non-formal learning for marginalized youth. Support for Youth Workers: Demand for modern tools to improve youth engagement.