Problem addressed

S.TR.O.N.G. addressed the pressing issue of youth disengagement, focusing on NEETs (young people Not in Education, Employment or Training) aged 18–29, with a specific focus on those considered most vulnerable. In Italy, NEET rates remain among the highest in Europe, especially among young people facing social, economic, educational, or geographical disadvantages. These individuals often have difficulties to access to quality guidance, professional opportunities, and tailored support paths—factors that contribute to long-term exclusion from the labour market and from society. Often they lack self-confidence and awareness of their capacities, making them more insicure and contributing to distancing them from the world of work
 

Innovative solution

S.TR.O.N.G. introduced an innovative, human-centred approach to NEET activation by combining personal development, professional growth, and transnational mobility within a single, integrated pathway. Unlike standard activation measures, S.TR.O.N.G. built a personalised 3-phase model: an 80-day preparatory phase, a 4-month transnational work-based experience (in Spain or Malta), and an 80-day post-mobility phase focused on career guidance and job inclusion.

Its innovation lies in the holistic design, which merged educational, psychological, and social dimensions. Each participant was supported by a dedicated mentor and a team of tutors throughout the journey, enabling real-time adaptation of activities to individual needs. The program focused not only on employability skills, but also on restoring trust, motivation, and autonomy—often lacking in long-term NEETs.

Key results and benefits

S.TR.O.N.G. achieved tangible and meaningful results, both at individual and systemic levels:

- 21 NEETs participated (one more than planned), including 12 classified as “most vulnerable”
- Almost 70% of participants found a job or entered further education within months of the experience—surpassing expectations and national benchmarks for NEET reintegration.
- As planned, there were 3 successful participants that found a job before the end of the project
- 100% of participants reported being satisfied with the experience and declared improved soft skills (autonomy, adaptability, self-confidence) and professional competences.
- The project fostered strong values of inclusion, diversity, and solidarity: participants actively supported each other, including peers with disabilities, in a spirit of mutual empowerment.
- The project activated a transnational cooperation network of 14 public and private stakeholders (including Campania Region), building a durable model of shared responsibility between institutions, employers, and the third sector.
- S.TR.O.N.G. was the first ALMA pilot project to successfully conclude and was recognised as good practice by the European Commission, which invited Essenia UETP to present it in Brussels in April 2025 during the EaSI Technical Working Group meeting.

These results demonstrate the effectiveness of personalised support, transnational learning, and cross-sector partnerships in tackling youth unemployment and social exclusion. 
Beyond statistics, S.TR.O.N.G. changed lives—rebuilding hope, purpose, and active citizenship.

Potential for mainstreaming

S.TR.O.N.G. demonstrated a strong potential for replication and integration into broader youth activation strategies at both national and European levels. Its success stems from a flexible and modular structure, which can be adapted to different contexts and target groups while maintaining the core principles: personalisation, transnational mobility, and continuous guidance.

The project’s three-phase model - preparation, mobility, follow-up - has proven effective in activating NEETs, especially those facing complex vulnerabilities. This structure can be easily embedded into existing programmes run by public employment services, youth centres, or educational institutions. Furthermore, the tools developed—such as mentoring protocols, skills assessment formats, and follow-up methodologies, can support policy-makers and practitioners in designing similar pathways.

S.TR.O.N.G. also established a multi-stakeholder cooperation framework that connects regional authorities, civil society, employers, and transnational partners. This ecosystem can serve as a model for local or national governments aiming to promote sustainable inclusion and skills development.

The fact that S.TR.O.N.G. was the first ALMA-funded pilot project to be concluded, and was selected as a good practice by the European Commission, underlines its role as a reference for upcoming initiatives under ALMA or similar ESF+ programmes.

Its positive impact on participants and communities, its cost-efficiency, and its scalable methodology make S.TR.O.N.G. a promising solution to be mainstreamed across Europe.