StartNet

Youth unemployment in Europe is a significant problem, which has severe consequences for young people, the economy and society as a whole.

The most effective solutions for such a complex societal issue bring together all the relevant stakeholders: schools or other educational institutions, companies, trade unions, job agencies, youth organisations, politics and administrations bundle their competences, partners and offers in order to support young people in the region with their collective impact approach.

The StartNet project pursues this preventive approach for a better transition from education to employment on two levels: in Italy through a pilot network in the Apulia region as well as in Brussels by coordinating a good practice exchange between similar initiatives from all across Europe. The project's objective is to enable the initiatives to learn from and with each other, exchange good practices and develop common projects to support young people’s transition to work.

The project is funded by Stiftung Mercator and coordinated by the Goethe Institutes in Brussels and Rome.

Events

A Bridge to Jobs - how to support young people’s #TransitionToWork since COVID-19?

Youth unemployment in Europe is rising again, while young people’s smooth transition into a first job is essential for their careers and lives. What can we do to support young people’s #TransitionToWork effectively during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic? Join the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, the Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut Johannes Ebert, the Director of Stiftung Mercator Michael Schwarz and partners of the StartNet project from all across Europe to discuss the EU youth employment support package “Bridge to Jobs”. Interactive breakout sessions will permit to discover inspiring practices from the grassroots on social inclusion, orientation & career guidance, key competences & skills, and VET & apprenticeships. Connecting policy with practice the event contributes to a discourse around key processes of the German Council Presidency in the fields of youth, education and employment. The conference is kindly co-hosted by the European Policy Centre.
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Programme StartNet conference September 2020 (PDF, 169 kB)

CESI lunch: Apprenticeships in the EU: How to ensure a better transition from education to work?

6 November 2019, 12.30, European Economic and Social Committee

Training and apprenticeship are essential for a successful career entry of young people. What is the situation of apprenticeships in Europe? What are good practices and new trends? How can the new EU Commission strengthen apprenticeships for the transition of young people to work in all Member States of the Union? StartNet and CESI Youth would like to discuss these questions at the CESI lunch event at the European Economic and Social Committee on 6 November. Further information and the registration form can be found here: CESI Lunch

StartNet Combatting Youth Unemployment in Europe

Part of the StartNet Group © Photo: Stiftung Santa Maria del Real How do we create new prospects for disadvantaged young people? How do we combat youth unemployment locally? And how can initiatives from all over Europe successfully plan and implement EU projects together making a positive impact on institutions and programmes? The third meeting of the European network of StartNet addressed these issues.

Youth unemployment in Southern Italy StartNet for dual training

Netzwerkarbeit © StartNet The pilot network StartNet Italy seeks to improve the transition from school to work in southern Italy. While the job market there has improved in recent years, there are still considerable challenges. This is mainly due to the mismatch between what the job market needs and the career goals of young people. This is precisely what StartNet is focusing on by seeking to bring companies and schoolchildren together.