The development of social entrepreneurship could be a solution to current challenges: just before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were about 1.7 million fewer young people not employed in education or training (NEETs) across the EU. Youth unemployment fell to a record low of 14.9% by February 2020. In addition, a new study conducted by Eurofund showed that young people in Europe feel the strong impact of pandemic restrictions while dealing with the lowest levels of mental well-being and loneliness. However, support structures that monitor and work with NEET youth (local missions, chambers of commerce and industry, etc.) do not have sufficient resources and tools to sensitize, inform and support NEET youth interested in entrepreneurship in an effective way.

The Belgrade open school team started the implementation of the project Reinforcement of support structures for NEETs in the entrepreneurial field. The project team, together with other partners, participated in kick-off meeting in Montreuil (Paris), held on 24th and 25th of February, where they had the opportunity to discuss the currently available support networks for young people from the NEET population as well as further steps in project activities.

During the implementation of the project, project team will create framework of the support programs working with NEET youth, tools and techniques for career practitioners who provide support and recommendations for social policy makers for the integration of NEET youth.

Project coordinator is the SOS Pulse Group (France), and beside Belgrade Open School, the project partners are the The Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories (France), Terrassa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Spain), Local Mission of Marseille (France) and the National Youth Council (North Macedonia).