Romania, Italy and Spain face challenges in addressing among the highest NEET rates in EU. According to Eurostat, in 2022 NEETs higher percentage was in RO (19,8%), IT (17,7%) and GR (15,2%). Indeed, in IT 1 out of 5 young people are NEETs (Istat 2022), in 2nd place in EU after RO. In ES NEETs are 17.2% (OECD 2023), much higher than average EU rate 11.7%. Statistics show a gap between genders: at EU level, % of women NEET is significantly higher than men, particularly in 25-29 years age group (15.3% women, 6.9% men). EU records are RO (25,4%) and IT (20.5%). Data prove the urgency in taking action in the countries targeted, and this is where WISE intervenes by offering an upskilling/reskilling opportunity to support inclusion of these categories in the world of work.

Innovative training solution for the Empowerment of Women with digital skills – D4WE . The project addresses the gap existing between men and women in the field of STEM education and STEM related professions and is implemented in a context where unemployment, also of qualified people, is a structural problem. The objective of the D4WE project, which lasted 15 months from May 2023 to September 2024, was to contribute to the development of the skills of women and girls (aged between 18 and 50) in the Sicily and Calabria regions, located in Southern Italy, in order to guarantee better opportunities and insertion in the world of work, with a view to reducing the existing gap between the skills possessed by female candidates and the skills required by companies. The solution was piloted in the Calabria and Sicily region. The project was funded by the „Repubblica Digitale Initiative“ , The organisation leading the consortium was Fondazione Ortygia Business School. Wonderful Education was a partner, responsible for the development and implementation of the pilot training programmes.

 

WISE applies a concept aimed to face the challenge of activating NEETs basing the action on evidences of previous experimentations undertaken by WE (D4WE project) as for skills development and innovative training on Data Science and by AAIT as for analysis of NEETs needs, engaging them in empowerment and skills development, developing territorial and youth networks. WISE’s strategy is composed of: 1) outreach activities (WP3) offline through Open Days implemented alongside existing youth-focused events to engage youngsters and co-design with them a “project engagement path”, and online through targeted communication involving also relevant institutions and stakeholders, social media and online dissemination to reach a broader audience; 2) face-to-face and online training modules (WP4) for upskilling and skills development, focusing on digital and Data Science competences and transversal skills, e.g. critical thinking (through data analysis from green sector); communication and problem solving (through project work and challenge-based activities) for young people, especially girls, at risk of school drop-out and for girls under 29 yo; 3) Comprehensive case management, coaching and mentoring to facilitate meaningful engagement, soft and life skills development (WP5); 4) Skills validation and impact measurement ensured by SocialFare and its expertise; 5) dissemination, stakeholder engagement and community development to facilitate scaling up and sustainability (multi-stakeholder events, digital communication, awareness raising to facilitate beneficiaries’ job inclusion). The participation of partners willing to follow up in the 3 EU countries + a co-founder (FdM) enhances opportunities for further upscale and long-term impact. Innovative learning elements are: 1) Experiential learning, offering hands-on, engaging experiences (workshops, labs, simulations and exercises based on real data); 2) Cooperative learning, encouraging collaboration and exchange of ideas, fostering an inclusive and stimulating environment; 3) Project-based learning, practical and concrete projects allowing participants to apply their acquired knowledge in real contexts; 4) Challenge-Based Learning requiring innovative solutions, putting participants at the center of the learning process; 5) Integration of innovative technologies and tools that can stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of participants, while conveying the necessary high-level skills needed for the digital transition.

As regards the 230 girls at risk of dropout and NEETs, especially women involved in Italy, Spain and Romania: The change will occur through intermediate steps, which start from the project partners actually reaching the target group. Their active involvement will be assured through dedicated engagement activities (WP3): the target will be involved in first person to define main goals in Neets participation through the co-design of the Engagement Path. The core activity of WISE is based on an innovative and integrated approach guiding Neets along the parallel development of digital skills and an inner and psychological growth, accompanying them in the elaboration of the complexities they meet. Through 1a1 coaching and group sessions with a wide network of peers, Neets are helped and guided in facing difficulties, reducing the risk of drop-out and above all support their empowerment through development of soft and social skills. This will represent a pre-condition for accessing and/or remaining in the world of work in the STEM As regards project partners, 9 trainers will be trained on the methodologies, which, with a view to replicability and scalability, will be acquired by the trainers as useful skills for the engagement and training of NEETs. As regards Stakeholders, WISE core activities are followed by a constant and structured stakeholders engagement in order to achieve an impact in the short, medium and long term, transmitting an innovative methodology and approach to the wide community.

The learning material developed will be available as OER giving the possibility to any organisation in Europe to use it, re-use it and customised it to their needs for implementation of the courses on data science. The methodological documents explaining our innovative approach coupling skills and psychological development will also be published and available for anyone interested. This provides a great potential for mainstreaming and upscaling as well as for adapting the same approach for the inclusion of different target groups at risk of exclusion.