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Innovate for Impact: Empowering Youth Through Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

2024-1-PT02-KA153-YOU-0002019322024Mobility of youth workersfinalizedGood practice
Countries: PT|EE|AZ|MD|GE|UA|TR|IT · Grant: €32,519.86
EmployabilityQuality and innovation of youth workEntrepreneurial learning - entrepreneurship education

Objectives

The "Innovate for Impact: Empowering Youth Through Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship" project was developed in response to multifaceted challenges identified in the eight participating countries - Portugal, Turkey, Italy, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine. As diagnosed during the application phase, young people in these regions face significant barriers to their personal and professional development, including high youth unemployment, lack of skills in social innovation and entrepreneurship, cultural isolation, and reduced active citizenship participation. Statistical data presented in the application evidenced the urgency of this intervention: in Portugal, youth unemployment stood at 7.3% in 2021, while in Italy it reached 31.9%. In Estonia, where 20.4% of the population is aged 15-29, concerning cultural isolation was identified, and in Ukraine, with 18% of the population aged 15-24, significant disengagement of young people from community development initiatives was observed. In Turkey, with 16.7% of the population aged 15-24, the need for entrepreneurial alternatives was critical, while in Georgia, where 20% of the population is aged 15-29, the importance of aligning youth initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals was identified. From a youth work practice perspective, the project objectives aimed to address critical needs related to youth development and engagement. The specific objectives consisted of: Skills Development - equipping young participants with practical skills in social innovation and entrepreneurship through interactive workshops and hands-on exercises, empowering them to identify social challenges, develop innovative solutions, and establish sustainable social enterprises. Intercultural Partnership - creating sustainable partnerships and dialogues between young adults from the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries, promoting intercultural understanding, cooperation, and tolerance through collaborative activities such as team projects and intercultural communication workshops. Active Citizenship - promoting active citizenship among young participants through community engagement activities like 'Community Walk' and 'Idea Building', empowering them to identify local social challenges and develop strategies to address them, becoming active agents of positive change. Youth Participation in Community Development - involving young people in community development initiatives, providing tools and methodologies to actively engage with their communities, assess needs, and implement innovative solutions. Empowering Future Leaders - nurturing a new generation of leaders in social innovation and entrepreneurship through mentoring, practical exercises, and contact with successful social entrepreneurs, inspiring them to pursue careers and initiatives that generate positive social impact. Promoting Inclusion - creating an inclusive and accessible training environment for all participants, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, embracing diversity and promoting equal opportunities. The project strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing the essential role of young people in achieving these global objectives. Simultaneously, it contributed to Erasmus+ programme priorities - digital transformation, social inclusion, and active citizenship - through promoting learning mobility, skills development, and European cooperation in the youth sector. The objectives were intrinsically aligned with youth work principles, providing skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to form active, informed, and engaged citizens, contributing to personal growth, community development, and promoting a more inclusive and collaborative society.

Project partners (8)