With the EcopreNEETs project, we aimed to address the urgent need to re-engage NEET youth, especially those from disadvantaged rural and urban areas, in a path toward sustainable inclusion. The main objective was to offer them a second chance through an innovative approach combining entrepreneurship education, environmental awareness, and digital learning. By focusing on experiential activities and tailored tools, we sought to: strengthen their eco-entrepreneurial skills, improve their employability, support their personal and professional development, build a supportive peer community, and create concrete links with the job market. The project also aimed to fill the gap in targeted support for this group by developing innovative, accessible, and transferable resources at the European level.
We proposed the EcopreNEETs project to address a dual need identified at the European level: the reintegration of NEET youth into the labor market and the development of eco-entrepreneurial skills aligned with sustainability goals. While 13% of young people in Europe are considered NEETs, they remain largely excluded from traditional training and employment initiatives. Through this project, we aimed to offer an innovative approach combining experiential learning, digital tools, and environmental awareness to re-engage these young people, foster their initiative, and help them envision sustainable career paths. The project also responds to the upskilling needs of trainers, who often lack resources to support this audience. By bringing together complementary European partners, we were able to co-create solutions tailored to local realities while pooling expertise for lasting and transferable impact.