Youth Exchange 'How To Start Up For Young People'
A one year project “How to START UP for Young People” is financed by European Commission within Erasmus Plus projects and is devoted to fighting against unemployment among young people, especially from vulnerable groups, poor background and fewer opportunities.
The international team of professional experts and trainers who have designed the project trained and tough young people entrepreneurship, leadership skills and knowledge how to START UP their own small business and match their education with labour market. On this purpose the project involved 8 participating countries in total, where the unemployment problem is the highest in Europe such are: Greece, Italy, Croatia, Portugal and France (5 from EU Programme Countries) and Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine (3 from Easter Partnership Countries).
The second stage of the project – Youth Exchange gathered in Armenia young people from 8 countries from 4-15 September, 2019. Each country was presented by 4 participants and led by its National country team leader. The professional Team leaders have already been in Armenia during the first part of the project Workshop, which was successfully implemented from 30 March – 7 April 2019 in Yerevan, Armenia. The leaders of exchange guided the youngsters on their way to learn, share with each other and develop their competences and knowledge. A special session was designed by one of the experts on self-branding, how to write correct CV and motivation letter and much more.
During the youth exchange the international team of participants had opportunity to share with each other the situation of unemployment in their countries, discussed in team what are the main obstacles on the way of finding jobs in their countries, shared their culture and traditions. The team of leaders in their turn gave skills to young people how to START UP, what steps should be taken? How to create a successful business model? How to find financing? and much more. During the project the participants learnt about Erasmus Plus Projects, the possibilities the European Union gives to young people today.
During the exchange the participants had also very nice visits such as TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies, UWC International School, visited young entrepreneurs studios such as Mughdusyan Art Centre, Cozy House, Aghavnatun and much more. The participants had also opportunity to visit the Opera House and enjoy classical music concert. They got acquainted with National cuisine and even learnt how to make traditional “Tolma”. The hosting organization also organized a visit to Genocide Museum so the participants could get acquainted with the history of Armenia. The whole exchange when in a very nice and friendly atmosphere.
Why this project is so important? And why the team decided to implement it? Because the problem of high rate of unemployment among young people is one of the major and even N1 problem (especially in participating countries) that young people face today in Europe, a problem that needs a solution. For example in Greece, according to World Bank Statistics, the rate of unemployment among young people is 47.% every second young person is unemployed, which is the highest among participating countries, followed by Italy – 36.6% and Armenia 35.1%.
The project will be implemented totally with 3 main stages (2 Capacity Building Activities + 1MobilityActivity). Workshop, Exchange and Evaluation. The last part of the project evaluation with leaders will take place in France for 3 days at the end of October 2019.
As a result of one year project Electronic and Printed Guide Book “How to START UP for Young People" in 8 official languages of the participating countries will be prepared. Professional web page www.startupyoungpeople.com has already been prepared with all information, materials and contacts of experts. A video film about project and results will be prepared. This project will no doubt be a beginning of continuous cooperation between countries and experts in the topic of the project the main aim of which is and will be to help young people living in Europe.
The coordinating organization is “Educational and Cultural Bridges” NGO, based in Armenia. The organization was founded in 2013 and has implemented numerous projects on local and international level. The detailed information about the organization, projects and partners can be found on the official web page of the NGO: www.ec-bridges.com.
