During his visit to Germany today, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, visited a youth employment project of Duisburger Werkkiste. Many of Werkkiste’s community projects are co- financed by the European Social Fund.

Duisburger Werkkiste is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to promoting youth welfare and youth careers in the city of Duisburg, which is located at the heart of the Ruhrgebiet in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia.  The goal of Duisburger Werkkiste’s project is to ensure participants find a permanent path to work and personal success, leaving unemployment behind for good. 

Local companies have partnered with the organisation, providing practical training and placements to participants after they finish their qualifications. Much of the work is focused in community improvement and district development tasks – such as building infrastructure and helping to develop new social services. 

The Commissioner took the opportunity of his visit to exchange with youth and apprentices participating in the ESF projects implemented by Duisburger Werkkiste. The Commissioner related, ‘It is our priority to help young people to integrate into the labour market, especially those who have more difficulties, because they also have many strengths.’

Organisations like Werkkiste are vital in a post-pandemic Europe, giving young people a second chance to find their way back into education and employment.