Problem addressed
This initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Baltic Institute of Technology. The project is aimed at young people facing fewer opportunities – those who are not in employment, education, or training, or who are experiencing social exclusion.
More than just work experience.
This project aimed not only to provide international work experience, but also to offer something deeper – motivation, self-confidence, and a sense of direction in life. All participants were NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), lacking practical experience, professional direction, and self-confidence. Participants travelled abroad where they didn’t just study or work – they also experienced everyday life in a different culture, faced challenges, solved real problems, and in doing so, grew as individuals and strengthened their identity.
Innovative solution
The project was implemented by the Baltic Institute of Technology (BIT), in partnership with the Spanish partners Arrabal and ADC*E. It consisted of three structured phases:
- Preparation Phase (July–September 2024):
- Participants took part in ICT training (graphic design, no-code platforms, RPA tools), Spanish language lessons, and soft skills development.
- Three experienced mentors supported each group with career coaching, motivation building, and setting personal goals.
- Each participant created a CV and attended preparatory sessions to align expectations with real work settings.
- Mobility Phase (October 2024 – January 2025):
- Participants completed internships in Málaga (30) and Barcelona (3), hosted by Arrabal and ADC*E.
- They engaged in real work environments in the ICT, creative industries, Artificial Intelligence sectors.
- Mentoring and cultural integration activities supported reflection and adaptation.
- Follow-Up Phase (February–June 2025):
- Participants received individual job coaching, CV refinement support, and assistance with employment or further training. An HR professional was involved to provide hands-on guidance.
Participant Profile and Selection Process
Participants were selected through an open call, which was promoted via the Baltic Institute of Technology's Facebook page and at the Vilnius College of Design. The selection process included motivation interviews, eligibility assessments, and an evaluation of participants' readiness to commit to all phases of the project.
The project targeted young people facing fewer opportunities, especially those:
- From low-income backgrounds,
- With limited or no formal work experience,
- With digital or creative potential but lacking opportunities to apply their skills in practice,
- Showing motivation to grow, but lacking the tools, support system, or environment to do so.
A total of 33 participants were selected – 19 men and 14 women, representing 16 different municipalities across Lithuania, including both large cities and small towns. Their educational backgrounds ranged from secondary to post-secondary education, and many had informal or self-taught IT and creative skills (such as programming, graphic design, or digital tools).
All selected participants successfully completed the preparation phase and continued to the mobility phase abroad.
Key results and benefits
A total of 33 young people under the age of 29 took part in the project—19 men and 14 women. As a result, 33 out of 33 participants have successfully reintegrated—either by entering employment or resuming their studies.
Social Integration was also a key component. Young people established new contacts.
Potential for mainstreaming
Our project has demonstrated strong potential to become a sustainable and widely applicable approach for integrating young people with fewer opportunities into the labor market and society. The ALMA model – combining individualized preparation, international work placements, mentorship, and social integration – proved to be an effective way not only to develop professional skills but also to build self-confidence and motivation.
Based on the results achieved, this model can be:
Integrated into national youth employment programs, especially as part of initiatives targeting NEETs (young people not in employment, education, or training).
Applied by other organizations or regions, in cooperation with international partners, transferring the successful practices.
Adapted to various fields, not limited to the IT sector – the model can be successfully tailored to other vocational areas.
The project also opened opportunities for cross-sectoral cooperation between NGOs, educational institutions, and businesses, showing potential to contribute to systemic change in both youth policy and social inclusion.
