Problem addressed
– The high rate of youth unemployment and social exclusion among young people who are neither studying nor working (the so-called "NEETs"). In Spain, this rate stands at 13% according to Eurostat data.
– A lack of international experience and weaknesses in language and professional skills make it difficult for young people to enter the labor market.
– The use of outdated methodologies, which do not adapt to or meet the training needs of young people, leading them to drop out of school.
– A lack of a support network, which, due to the different contexts of each young person, has led to demotivation and anxiety in their job search, or a lack of belief in training as a path to job placement.
Perception of a lack of future: 27% of teachers mention that students do not perceive that education will provide them with a better future, which discourages them from remaining in the educational system (6th Young Business Talents Report, 2023).
- One in four young people has experienced bullying during their school years, which contributes to a higher dropout rate. Dropouts due to LGBTI+ bullying are 18.9%, and general bullying is 13% (2024 State LGBTI Federation Report).
Innovative solution
Called 'CEO-Y: Creating Employment Opportunities for Youth ,' this project focus on strengthening skills, offering new experiences, and enriching each participant's resume to contribute to their social and labor inclusion. The 'CEO-Y' project's commitment to generating real job opportunities is not limited to providing internships in a third country. Upon their return to Spain, each participant is supported by an advisory team that work to ensure their social and labor integration, helping them identify their professional objectives and establish a work plan to achieve their goals.
At Arrabal-AID, we promote mobility projects such as the European Solidarity Corps, Erasmus+ Exchanges, job shadows, Erasmus+ Strategic Relationships, and international internships, and we've seen the positive results they produce for young people. In addition to these more ongoing programs, we also have experience with the German EUDUKO program, where we hosted young Germans in two editions. With all this, we were more than convinced that the ALMA initiative was a magnificent opportunity to provide new methodologies to help young people.
Key results and benefits
– High participation: 30 were selected from nearly 100 applicants.
– Professional integration: Upon returning from mobility, 43.3% found employment, another 40% began training, and 16.7% completed internships. Monitoring the participants five months after these results showed that 53.6% were working, 35.7% were studying, and 10.7% were actively seeking employment in career guidance services.
- Upon returning from mobility, 100% of participants completed more than one activity (work, training, and/or internship).
- Skills enhancement: Participants strengthened their language, curriculum, personal, and intercultural skills.
- Business recognition: Local companies valued the initiative and hired participants for their motivation and abilities.
- A sense of Europe. For many, it was their first time leaving Spain, or even flying, and upon returning, they realized they belonged in Europe. This opened up a world of social opportunities (making new friends, gaining confidence in visiting other countries without fear), as well as career opportunities.
- Confidence in mobility: Participants developed a sense of mobility; their comfort zone expanded by leaps and bounds after discovering they could travel across Europe, which led them to participate in other mobility programs.
Potential for mainstreaming
- Replicable model: the mobility + training + support formula can be applied in other regions for at-risk youth.
– Institutional support: EU funding and collaboration with institutions such as Arrabal-AID and EURES enhance the viability of expansion and create new synergies with other entities.
– Proven quality: high job placement and satisfaction rates—employers who have hired them upon their return recognize the added value of the experience.
– Culture of social innovation: fits into regional and European strategies for youth inclusion and employment, and can be integrated into future European Social Fund programs.
– Alignment with the 2030 Agenda:
Contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting non-formal, language, and practical training.
Supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting vulnerable youth access to the European labor market.
Strengthens SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by creating inclusive opportunities for those facing social, economic, and educational barriers.
Promotes SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through transnational collaboration between organizations, businesses, and public institutions.
The Regional Government of Andalusia has been informed of the project's progress and has also asked us questions about it, as they plan to replicate it at the regional level.
