Problem addressed

Studying and working abroad considerably increases the employability of young people, as a recent study on the impact of mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ has shown. More than two thirds of Erasmus+ students and trainees reported that their experience abroad helped them in defining their career choices and in landing their first job. However, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds generally have fewer opportunities to travel abroad or gain work experience outside of their home countries. This may put them at a disadvantage compared to other young job applicants, adding another barrier to their successful integration in the labour market.

Innovative solution

SAS Mobility aims to level out the playing field by giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in France a chance to gain work experience abroad. SAS Mobility goes beyond typical mobility programmes in that it offers intensive support to participants throughout the whole mobility experience. The participants receive administrative support and take part in an eight-week preparatory course about the host country’s culture and customs and what they can expect from the experience.

The project’s main beneficiaries are disadvantaged young people who live in the Ile-de-France region. Through SAS partnerships, young people aged between 18 and 30 are given the opportunity to find a job placement with Vocation Relocation – Career Training Internships in Cork (Ireland), Itaca in Milan (Italy) or Trinijove in Barcelona (Spain). SAS Mobility staff guide applicants on how to choose between the different opportunities available and what they can learn from each. Applications are then discussed and decided upon by a jury formed of project partners, including government bodies and French associations such as Directe Ile-De-France, Réseau Agir ensemble pour un partenariat d'expertises, RH public – privé, Val D’Oise – le départment, Préfet de Val-D’Oise, L’Europe s’engage en Ile de France and Parcours le Monde.

Each participant should feel that they are an equal stakeholder in the design of their mobility experience and are fully in charge of all aspects of their learning. This is fostered by the innovative use of non-formal education methodologies and work-based learning during the preparatory course. Each young person receives individual assistance before, during and after the mobility experience, including 60 hours of individualised language classes. Participants then undertake 3 weeks of work experience in their chosen country and provide feedback on their return.

The partners involved in the project help with project implementation and fundraising. SAS Mobility is implemented by the Association de Gestion des Fonds Européens (European Funds Management Association, AGFE), based in the Ile-de-France region as part of the Acting Together for a Public-Private Partnership of Expertise project, coordinated by Direccte 95. The AGFE is a non-governmental organisation that manages and coordinates European funds and has implemented SAS Mobility since 2018.

Key results and benefits

Since the start of the project, 46 young people have participated in mobility activities, of which 33 went to Ireland, 7 to Italy, 2 to Spain, 1 to Serbia and 3 have left the project. Their feedback on their experiences and the support they received was all positive. 6 months after the end of the placement, 42 participants found employment or started employment-related training courses thanks to the skills they acquired through the mobility experience. The project also enables disadvantaged young people to experience different cultures.

Potential for mainstreaming

50% of the AGFE’s budget for SAS Mobility comes from the European Social Fund (ESF). Because of the positive impact the project has had since its inception, private companies have also started providing funding. SAS Mobility staff, along with partner organisations, are currently reflecting on how to further develop the project throughout 2020 to secure additional ESF funding and/or funding from private companies. The potential for transfer to another context is strong. Key conditions for a successful transfer to another context would be the availability of funding, a strong coalition of implementing partners and a well-designed programme of support for the participating young people.

The project’s success has attracted media attention and it was recognised nationally as a good practice that is able to engage disadvantaged young people in an innovative way. SAS Mobility received the Bronze Award during the third edition of the ESF Initiatives Awards, held during the ESF Initiatives Village (18 and 29 March 2019).