Description

During the last years, EU economy has started to show signs of recovery following the financial crisis of 2008. However, according to EU SPC’s ‘2017 Social Protection Performance Monitor (SPPM) dashboard results’: “despite the gradual improvements, social conditions still remain worse compared to 2008 in many Member States”. Specifically, the indicators regarding young NEETs, for the period of 2008-2016, show deterioration in 11 member states and improvement only in 5 member states. Furthermore, youth unemployment ratio and long-term unemployment rate, were worse in 2016 in most member states than in 2008.

One particularly vulnerable group in the contemporary economic environment is NEETs who are at risk of social exclusion due to their low skills and lack of formal education. The overall objective of this project is to empower youths facing social exclusion due to unemployment, by giving them an opportunity to fulfil their potential and be impactful members of their society by introducing them to the benefits of social entrepreneurship.

Objectives – Target Groups

Young people facing the risk of social exclusion due to fewer opportunities and unemployment (NEETs, aged 15-24) are the main group that this project is targeted to. Social entrepreneurship is expected to provide them with an opportunity to have a positive impact in their society and feel included.
The project aims to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to start, run and sustain their own social enterprises. Youth workers that provide education to NEETs are another target group of this project. In order to provide high quality education in entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship to NEETs, youth workers need to be trained in innovative teaching tools such as Virtual Enterprises software.