One of the most pressing social and economic challenges today is the exclusion of young people from education and employment. Young people who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) face social marginalization, limited skills, and economic insecurity, which in turn negatively affects societal welfare and national economies, particularly in developing countries. According to international organizations such as the EU, OECD, IMF, and ILO, NEET youth are disproportionately affected by unemployment, low income, and social isolation. In 2024, approximately 86 million young men (13%) and 173 million young women (28%) were classified as NEET worldwide. In OECD countries, the average NEET rate among 15-29-year-olds is 13%, while Türkiye has the highest rate at 28%. TÜİK data for 2023 shows that 25.8% of Türkiye’s 15-29-year-old population are NEET, with gender disparities: men 16-17% and women around 30%. In Istanbul, the NEET rate is lower (18.6%), with men at 11.4% and women at 26.3%. Structural factors, such as limited access to quality education, barriers to the labor market, socioeconomic disparities, and gender roles, contribute to these high NEET rates. Regional inequalities in Türkiye, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions, further restrict opportunities for youth. Given these challenges, the proposed project aims to increase awareness, visibility, and engagement among NEET youth in Türkiye and selected EU countries. The project will bring together NEET youth from Türkiye, Italy, Romania, and Greece to create a collaborative learning and experience-sharing environment. Activities will focus on: - Developing digital skills and generative AI competencies, - Enhancing the use of digital platforms, - Providing guidance on interviews, CV preparation, and networking, - Discussing social and psychological dimensions of being NEET. Partnering with countries with high NEET rates—Italy, Romania, and Greece—ensures strong relevance and impact. For example, in 2024, NEET rates among 15-29-year-olds were 19.4% in Romania, 15.2% in Italy, and 14.2% in Greece, all above the EU average of 11%. Through digital skill-building activities and cross-cultural collaboration, the project aims to offer NEET youth new learning opportunities, support employability, and foster networking and cooperation between young people facing similar challenges in different countries. Prior to the development of the project idea, a needs analysis was conducted to identify the challenges faced by NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth, and the findings were documented and published. The report titled “NEET Youth in Istanbul: Needs Analysis and Policy Recommendations”, published by the ITOSAM in 2025, provides a qualitative study aimed at understanding the situation of NEET youth in Istanbul. The study sought to explore the needs of these young people and provide insights into the causes and potential impacts of their exclusion. Between June and December 2024, 45- to 120-minute semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 NEET youth and 10 experts, totaling 29 participants. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively to uncover multiple dimensions of the issue. In addition, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute’s Household Labor Force Survey were used to calculate NEET rates in Türkiye and Istanbul, with analyses conducted for different sub-groups. This comprehensive needs analysis served as a foundational preliminary study for the project, identifying the specific needs of the target NEET youth. The report enabled the project to move beyond purely statistical responses and design interventions and activities that are directly aligned with the real needs of the participants.