The Internationaler Bund (IB) participated in the annual conference of the YES Forum, the European network for international youth and youth social work. Together with participants from across Europe, IB exchanged experiences and discussed strategies for supporting NEETs – young people who are not in employment, education or training (“Not in Education, Employment or Training”). In 2023, this applied to around eight million young Europeans. The central question was: What can be done to help them successfully enter the labour market?
Participants at the YES Forum highlighted the importance of holistic approaches. Organisations supporting young people should address different areas of their lives and work across sectors to respond to challenges related to (mental) health, education and training, as well as housing. It is essential to consider the individual circumstances and needs of each young person.
Experts recommend mentoring programmes and e-learning platforms
Based on the experiences of professionals working in the field, mentoring programmes and e-learning platforms using realistic scenarios are recommended approaches. Furthermore, organisations should not take existing knowledge or skills for granted. Instead, young people should be motivated through small achievements and positive experiences. However, the essential foundation for successful support is building trust and establishing a strong relationship with young people.
The integration of Roma communities was also a topic discussed at the conference, which took place in Timișoara, Romania. In addition, IB contributed its recommendations to the EU Youth Strategy, which the YES Forum will consider within its recommendations as part of the EU consultation process.
A key prerequisite for successful educational work is a holistic approach that considers the individual challenges young people face in their everyday lives, combined with practical and realistic learning opportunities.
Thiemo Fojkar, Chairperson of the IB Board