The main objective of the B.E.YOU project was to empower young people, especially those not in employment, education or training, to build the skills, confidence and motivation needed to enter the labour market and take an active role in society. Through the design and pilot of an innovative, non-formal learning pathway, the project aimed to connect personal growth with practical skills that improve employability and long-term prospects. It sought to strengthen transversal and digital competences that help young people adapt to a rapidly changing world of work, while also fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and sense of self-efficacy that encourage them to create and seize new opportunities. Equally important was the ambition to build resilience, motivation and social inclusion by offering tailored guidance and a supportive learning environment. The project also aimed to promote cooperation between VET providers, employers, and youth organisations to ensure that the skills developed are relevant to real labour market needs. With Gentis’ expertise in employment training and their deep understanding of youth needs in Spain, B.E.YOU aspired to develop a model that could be transferred and adapted across different European contexts.
The B.E.YOU project was created to address a pressing social and economic challenge of young people in rural areas who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs) and remain disconnected from opportunities to build their future. This group often faces multiple barriers, including a lack of transversal competences, digital skills, entrepreneurship skills, and understanding of labour market dynamics. At the same time, existing support structures are often fragmented and fail to provide flexible, learner-centred approaches that connect personal development with local employability. In response to these needs, the consortium designed B.E.YOU as an innovative and inclusive model that empowers young people to re-engage with education, strengthen their soft and digital skills, and develop entrepreneurial mindsets. The project aligns with key European strategies, including the Youth Guarantee and NextGenerationEU, by promoting social inclusion, employability, and active citizenship. Drawing on each partner’s expertise including Gentis’ strong background in youth employment programmes in Spain –the project aimed to bridge the gap between young people’s potential and the demands of a rapidly changing labour market.