Youth on Board implemented 9 months project through which young people from North Macedonia, Poland and Bulgaria were equipped to become future digital nomad entrepreneurs through the created innovative international training program. digital entrepreneurs. In addition, the project 1) Created a certified innovative training program for digital entrepreneurs and 2) Strengthened capacities of over 60 young people to become future digital entrepreneurs. The project successfully combined digital and entrepreneurial skills for the professional upgrade of young people from North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Poland preparing them to start their own local digital companies thus making them leaders in the economic market. The project contributed to the digital transformation of society and the entrepreneurship community through the development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity of the young people who were the main target of this project.
In 2021, the average unemployment rate in South East Europe, encompassing North Macedonia and Bulgaria, surpassed 8%, with youth unemployment reaching 20%, exacerbating the outlook for young employment. Conversely, Poland experienced a lower unemployment rate, with only 5% of its citizens being unemployed. According to the EC, “Digital entrepreneurship embraced all new ventures and the transformation of existing businesses that drove economic and/or social value by creating and using novel digital technologies. Digital enterprises are characterized by a high intensity of utilization of novel digital technologies (particularly social, big data, mobile and cloud solutions) to improve business operations, invent new business models, sharpen business intelligence, and engage with customers and stakeholders. They created the jobs and growth opportunities of the future.” With a vision to support the young people from North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Poland in their future jobs and motivate them toward new opportunities, the participating organizations promoted digital entrepreneurship as a new opportunity for them. This project addressed the needs and goals of the participating organizations and the identified needs of the target groups.