"Start up the past" endeavors to tackle the complex and pressing issue of youth unemployment by providing to innovate the local traditions and cultural heritage, while simultaneously fostering skill development within the contemporary European landscape, with a focus on youth work practice. In recent years, the specter of youth unemployment has emerged large across Europe, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the futures of young individuals and creating significant challenges for both individuals and communities. This trend has been further exacerbated by economic downturns, both within Europe and on a global scale, creating an urgent imperative to address the multifaceted issues surrounding youth unemployment. Recognizing this situation, the European Commission has emphasized the crucial role of existing mobility programs, such as the Erasmus+ one, in boosting the employability and skill sets of young people. By encouraging participation in such programs, the Commission aims to equip youth with the necessary tools and experiences to navigate an increasingly competitive job market, all while nurturing their creative, cultural, and innovative capacities. Terramater has been leading youth empowerment initiatives since 2019, actively engaging in youth exchanges under the Erasmus+ program. This commitment starts from a deeply rooted awareness of the region's staggering youth unemployment rates, which have positioned Calabria among the regions with the highest unemployment rates in Europe. Building on the successes of previous projects, Terramater is once again collaborating with esteemed partners such as Amigos de Europa and KOM018 to offer young individuals a transformative journey towards personal and professional growth. The overarching goal of "Start up the past" is to harness the rich potential of the region's cultural heritage and unique environmental landscape to counteract the tendency of youth depopulation. With a focus on empowering young individuals to explore entrepreneurship and social innovation as viable alternatives to migration, the project endeavors to instill a sense of pride and ownership in local communities, fostering a spirit of resilience and resourcefulness among young participants. Project’s objectives aim at cultivate a supportive ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship and skill development. These objectives include revitalizing traditional crafts, nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among young people, instilling confidence, creativity, and resilience, and enabling youth to identify and seize opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. To achieve these goals, the project will implement a range of targeted interventions, including skills development workshops, mentorship initiatives, and experiential learning opportunities, designed to equip young individuals with the tools and resources necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern job market. Moreover, the project will foster intercultural dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative learning experiences, broadening participants' horizons and deepening their understanding of the potential impact of entrepreneurship on local, regional, and international scales. By documenting and sharing success stories, best practices, and lessons learned, the project will not only promote the Erasmus+ program as a transformative platform for youth development but also serve as a signal of hope for communities facing the challenges of youth unemployment. In parallel with these efforts, "Start up the past" seeks to build upon the organization's previous endeavors focused on environmental sustainability, offering young individuals a holistic pathway towards personal and professional growth. By empowering youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to thrive within their own communities, the project aims to reverse the phenomenon of migration and transform brain drain into brain gain, ensuring vibrant and resilient communities for generations to come. Looking at it on the perspective of youth work practice we can mention as follows: Aligned with the broader objectives of the Erasmus+ program, the project aims to address the urgent need to tackle youth unemployment and foster entrepreneurial initiatives among younger generations. By enhancing skills and key competencies among young people, including those with limited opportunities, the project contributes to: - youth integration into the labor market - fostering of intercultural dialogue - valuing og local traditions and cultural heritage - promoting social inclusion and solidarity - supporting the overarching goals of Erasmus+. Through open access to project outcomes and educational resources, the project aims to have a lasting impact on learning, training, and socio-educational animation within the European context, laying the groundwork for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.