The Context of DIG IN

The modern working environment is a dynamic one with constant changes, driven by technological advancement and global connectivity. Unfortunately, youth are vulnerable to these changes, especially those “Not in Education, Employment, or Training,” the so-called NEETs.

Youth today face numerous challenges in their careers, such as high unemployment, under-employment, low job satisfaction, working poverty, and job insecurity. There must be a support system in place to empower them and make them active citizens. However, reaching out to them and enable their engagement proves to be problematic. ICT technologies and digital mentoring are some tools that can be utilized to achieve that goal.

The Objectives of DIG IN

Considering the employment conditions for NEETs and the state of the workplace, the project identified the following objectives:

1. To find new avenues of communication using ICT technology and different media to help NGOs and youth associations to reach, engage, and motivate NEETs.
2. To create a collaborative learning space where NEETs can collaborate, connect, and learn. By doing that, they can create employment opportunities for themselves and increase their employability and entrepreneurial skills.

Expected Outcomes

To begin with, the consortium of the project has agreed upon specific deliverables throughout its implementation period. The expected outcomes of the project are:

1. Digital mentoring for digital natives and the development of a digital manual
2. The issue of a program guide
3. The creation of a digital toolbox

The partnership is about to finalize the first deliverable about digital mentorship and create a digital manual soon. Specifically, this deliverable will investigate the societal challenges that NEETs face in learning new skills and competencies. Furthermore, it will try to understand the needs of digital natives and find ways to make their knowledge meaningful. Finally, it will explore digital mentors’ role and the skills they need to possess or teach to NEETs.

DIG IN Partnership

Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) is in partnership with five (5) partner organizations for NEETs empowerment. The coordination of the consortium belongs to Fundacja imienia Braci Solunskich – Cyryla i Metodego from Poland. The rest of the partners consist of Mine Vaganti NGO from Italy, KAINOTOMIA & SIA EE from Greece, CENTAR ZA EDUKATIVEN I KULTUREN RAZVOJ RACIO from North Macedonia, and AREGAI Terre di Benessere Associazione Culturale from Italy.

To learn more about the project please click here.