Young people are currently facing a number of challenges in their personal and working lives, among which the economic crisis, temporary contract forms, and the recent pandemic that produced inequality among the population where young people have been deeply affected (Labour Market and Wage Developments in Europe, 2020, EC).

“Situation of young people in the European Union” (2018) shows that improvements on youth unemployment, with particular reference to NEETs, has been achieved, but quality level of employment and its social context should still be addressed. Young people are less likely to be self-employed than an older target because of finance barriers, lack of experience and skills and knowledge on funding opportunities. By providing the right support in overcoming these barriers and by encouraging innovative practice, young people’s potential can be positively affected.

Nevertheless, the pandemic brought along challenges for communities and organizations all over Europe. Young people are the most affected in terms of jobs and social opportunities (ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the world of work. 2020). Equally, we can state that this emergency showed societies how digital media, if used correctly, can support quality learning and professional development.

This project focuses on digital entrepreneurship to create a community of young people who can shape a better and inclusive world for them and future generations. Entrepreneurial competences are not only useful to youngsters who actually want to start a company but encourage them to find creative solutions, see opportunities and learn to take calculated risks. Such competences are of great importance in many areas of life, including social engagement through local initiatives and for diverse professional careers. In our post-pandemic societies, the ability to adapt and develop innovative ideas has become even more crucial for young people to find their career paths.

The consortium partners work closely with (second-generation) young migrants who often face additional cultural or educational barriers in accessing formative experience and employment. There is an urgent need to foster inclusion in youth work and non-formal education. The project therefore aims to apply more inclusive practices in training on media literacy & digitalization, and in the support of entrepreneurship and social engagement.

The project thereby responds to the need of more actively engaging young generations with diverse backgrounds in common activities. In YISEM, partners will share best practices and identify tools to develop young people’s entrepreneurial mindsets, their understanding of the interrelations between economy and human and cultural environments.

The project addresses youth educators, NGOs, youth centres and institutions involved in the field of non-formal learning who are in direct contact with the target groups. YISEM proposes tools for practitioners to better engage young people in self-directed initiatives and foster a more sustainable and social entrepreneurship based on innovation and media communication. The tools are comprised of new formats to better reach and communicate with young people.

Although educational materials on entrepreneurial competences exist already, partners see a great added value in having well-structured learning content in different working languages based directly on the needs of the target groups. For the production of the project results, partners combine tested know-how and best practice on European level with specific information needed to implement social entrepreneurship initiatives in the local context.