Members of the Young Entrepreneurs Succeed program, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants fund, met in Syracuse, Italy, on March 5 and 6 at the conference organized by Microfinanza Srl, “NEETs in Sicily, struggles to access to labour market: objective and personal barriers.”
The first day’s conference focused on the structural, financial, and cultural barriers that prevent young people from expressing their full potential and finding or creating their professional path. One of the speakers was Gian Luca Bombarda, director of JCP Srl, who participated via videoconference. Due to the Italian government’s decree to address the Covid-19 emergency, the conference was held behind closed doors and was broadcast live on YouTube.
As shown by the research, Italy has one of the highest rates in Europe (in 2018, there were more than 2 million NEETs, specifically 23.4% of young people between 15 and 29 years old, while the European average is 12%).
Sicily is also the region with the highest percentage of NEETs, with an incidence of 38.6% of the population. For this reason, Microfinanza decided to focus its intervention in this area of the country, with a percentage of disaffected people at 21.9%; unavailable/inactive: 25.1%; opportunity seekers: 15%; and job seekers: 38%.
Participants also had the opportunity to take part in two different round tables, covering two different topics: on one hand, the impact of informal work on the approach and participation of NEETs in a project like this, along with the importance of considering a different way to combat the exploitation of the black economy; on the other hand, the importance of trust when designing programs and projects focused on young and vulnerable people.
On Friday the 6th, an internal workshop was held where program participants were able to work on the skills needed to prepare young people, through various activities and dynamics.
As mentioned, the event focused on the specificities of the Sicilian territory and labor market and on the local best practices of all the members of the Young Entrepreneurs Succeed program.
About EEA and Norway Grants
The EEA and Norway Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway to reducing economic and social disparities and strengthening bilateral relations with 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics.
For the 2014-2021 period, the total contribution is 2.8 billion euros (EEA Grants, 1.5 billion euros, and Norway Grants, 1.3 billion euros).
Under the EEA Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are part of the European internal market. The EEA Agreement sets the common goal of working together to reduce social and economic disparities.
