Considering the conditions the world is facing today, as a result of global economic and financial crisis, in particular regarding the high rate of (youth) unemployment and regarding the environmental issues, it is necessary to tackle those issues with long-term oriented thoughtful and holistic strategies that supports sustainable growth and development both on societal and environmental scale. The results of the shifts towards sustainable solutions might not come easily and be seen immediately, nevertheless small steps are needed.In order to reduce stated issues we believe we need to strengthen knowledge and raise awareness of green economy potentials, encourage interdisciplinary collaborative work, support innovations across all sectors of the economy and make sure innovative ideas are environment friendly and can be turned into new products or social services. We share this belief with our partner organizations, thus the project aims to tackle these problems by fostering cooperation and exchanging partner organizations’ experience in the field of green entrepreneurship and youth employability and to develop methodology and practical tool on how to establish a supportive start-up environment which could close the gap between the competences acquired by young people and economic and social needs as well as the needs of the labour market. It is important to provide education and training for young people especially by fostering entrepreneurial mind-set and by providing a supportive start-up services, including mentorship, guidance, counseling and apprenticeships and different activities for enhancing ability to overcome potential lack of professional knowledge, lack of business skills or difficulties in accessing finance.By developing educational module in the field of green entrepreneurship and youth employability the project will provide 12 upskilled youth workers that will be trained during the international training course, who will then provide supportive environment for youth unemployed participants to establish green enterprise and get self-employed. Furthermore, the project will contribute to raising awareness of green entrepreneurship and its importance for sustainable development on broader scale. This will be achieved by organizing six local informational campaigns, by creating green economy newsletters and by communicating with general public though web channels and by using other promotional material.Apart from aiming to raise youth awareness about the importance of sustainable environmental and employability solutions, the project will have also strong intercultural dimension. Through enabling young people and youth workers from all regions to meet, the project will enable creation of a strong network of youth organisations and other NGOs, consisting not only of the 6 partner organisations, but wide range of other association from the involved countries.
One of the global effects of the economic crisis and years of its slow recovery is the current high rate of unemployment in many countries around the globe. Partners from 4 continents developed a project that contributed in improving the quality of support systems and the capabilities of youth NGOs dealing with unemployed young people. The aim of the project was to enhance young people knowledge and understanding of green entrepreneurship and to raise awareness about its multiple opportunities. Partners believe there is no more creation of traditional job, as we knew it before, which means, that we are now the creators of our own future. Youth can play an important role in this process. They have more time on their hands, they are able to come up with innovative fresh ideas and have an easy connection with the world through latest technology. Youth organisation should be there, ready to support their potential and to guide them in sustainable entrepreneurship. During the project, youth workers active within the partner organisations elaborated an educational module in the field of green entrepreneurship and youth employability and attended an international training to develop their skills in promoting green skills for youth employability, and get trained in delivering a green entrepreneurship educational program for young people. Following the adoption of the educational manual and the successful training course in Portugal, partner organizations started with the implementation of local educational activities. Each partner organization supported the youth workers that attended the training course, in implementing what they learned. They pilot-tested this acquired knowledge in their local environment by forming groups of unemployed young people. These young people were trained and provided with the support necessary for them to plan innovative green business ideas, thereby promoting active participation of youth in the green labor market. Youngsters were encouraged to think “outside the box” and supported in creating green start-ups. In order to raise awareness about green entrepreneurial skills for youth employment, partners organized local informational campaigns and created three Newsletters that provide information about the project and its results, including examples of good practices and interviews with green entrepreneurs. Furthermore, during all the duration of the project partners communicate with young people and general public though web channels, social media and by using different promotional materials.