EmpoweerNEET

https://www.interregnextmed.eu/projects/empoweerneet

About – EmpoweerNEET MED: Upskilling NEETs through Social and Solidarity Economy

Across the Mediterranean, NEETs (young people Not in Employment, Education, or Training) face significant challenges, including high unemployment rates, economic exclusion, and limited access to quality education and vocational training, exacerbating social inequalities. At the same time, the potential of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) to promote inclusive economic growth and social integration is underutilized.
EmpowerNEET brings together entities from Palestine, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon, and France to effectively address NEETs´ marginalization. The project offers comprehensive training programs to develop entrepreneurial and employment skills, provides practical experiences through job shadowing and mentoring, and ensures sustainability via supportive policy frameworks and ethical financing models. EmpowerNEET aims to transition NEETs from economic and social marginalization to empowerment.

DURATION

Start Date: 24/10/2025

End Date: 23/04/2028

Project Partners

An-Najah National University (Lead Partner)
Catalan Fund for Development Cooperation (PP1)
KMOP – Social Action and Innovation (PP2)
Business Consultancy and Training Services (PP3)
Centre Tunisien pour l’Entrepreneuriat Social (PP4)
Coopérative d’Activité et d’Emploi Petra Patrimonia (PP5)

Why the project matters

NEETs in the Mediterranean are at high risk of socio-economic exclusion due to a lack of tailored training and pathways into employment. The SSE sector is recognized for its ability to foster inclusive economic growth, social integration, and sustainable development. However, its potential to absorb and uplift NEETs is often overlooked.
Upskilling NEETs through Social and Solidarity Economy is the focus of the project to address the high rate of NEETs in the Mediterranean region.

What it aims to achieve

To equip NEETs with essential entrepreneurial and employability skills tailored to the Social and Solidarity Economy sector.
To foster experiential learning via job-shadowing and cross-country mentorship exchanges.
To establish supportive financing models and inclusive policy frameworks that enable NEET-led initiatives to succeed.

Expected change

Improved employment and entrepreneurship prospects for NEETs across six Mediterranean countries.
Stronger support systems and financing strategies for NEETs entering the SSE sector.
Increased policy commitment towards inclusive youth integration into local economies.

What the project delivers

4 comprehensive training modules for 300 NEETs, combining online and in-person formats.
Regional e-learning platform with tailored SSE content and networking tools.
85 job-shadowing and mobility opportunities across six countries.
Policy roadmap and sustainable financing strategies for NEETs in the SSE sector.
Startup vouchers and mentorship packages for NEET-led initiatives.
SSE financing guidelines tailored to local economic contexts.
6 national-level implementation roadmaps for local authorities.
Cross-sectoral networking via SSE fairs and stakeholder events.

Who benefits

300 NEETs, including youth up to 30 years old and women of all ages, receiving entrepreneurial training.
60 SSE enterprises engaging with NEETs through mentorship and job shadowing.
30 financial institutions co-designing inclusive funding solutions.
Local governments (with a concentrated focus on departments of education, labour, and economic development).
35 policymakers engaged to collaboratively develop sustainable financing strategies and policy frameworks.
Civil society and community-based organizations gaining replicable models.
Broader Mediterranean communities benefiting from inclusive economic growth.

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