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Description
The project focuses on increasing the employment potential of young people in the Pomurje (Mura) region, notably where the need for a developed support environment is most pronounced. The project activities are aimed at strengthening the capacity of the existing support environment, and connecting educational institutions and the economy in the region; they are also focused on testing the scheme of practical work for young people on the basis of identified professional challenges by companies. Main project results are improved support environment and provision of services for young people through the introduction of new or upgraded services, training of various target groups and activities aimed at networking, training and counseling for young people.
The youth and the labour market analyses show that youth unemployment is most problematic in the east of Slovenia, especially in the Pomurje (Mura) region, where young people make up for over a quarter of all unemployed. Additionally, the age structure of the population in Pomurje is the least favorable, as the share of young people in the population structure is the lowest and the labour force participation rates record lowest figures among all Slovenian regions. The population dynamics in Pomurje shows that 131,272 people lived in Pomurje in 1990, with the number decreasing gradually on a year-on-year basis (emigration of young people), so that in 2019 the population in Pomurje was by 13% lower than in 1990. Most young people do not return to the region after finishing their studies in Maribor or Ljubljana, while young people with completed vocational education look for opportunities in neighboring Austria.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to increase the employment potentials for youth in the Pomurje (Mura) region in the north-east of Slovenia, which has been for years facing a problem of ‘brain drain’ of young, educated people and a migration of qualified workers to other regions of Slovenia or abroad.
The analysis shows that youth unemployment is most problematic in Eastern Slovenia, especially in Pomurje (Mura) region, where youth represent more than one-quarter of all unemployed individuals in the region. The region also has the lowest labour activity rate (60.9% in 2022; the national average is 68.6%). Furthermore, the employment of Pomurje residents in other regions in Slovenia increased by 43.2% between 2009 and 2022. The number of young residents in the region decreased by 55% between 2000 and 2022. After going to universities in other Slovenian regions, most young people do not return, while young people with a vocational education seek for opportunities in other Slovenian regions or neighbouring Austria. Consequently, the age structure of the population in this region is the least favourable since the share of youth in the population structure is the lowest in Slovenia.
The project established a sustainable mentoring scheme of services for young people and developed a proposal for a long-term support for youth through mentoring even after project completion. The proposal analysed the starting point for the preparation of the sustainability plan, presented the results of the implementation of the support scheme so far and proposed a sustainability plan for the implementation of the support services, which is in line with the guidelines and actions set out in the Regional Development Programme. Finally, it proposed potential "follow-up" solutions for the capitalization of knowledge in a new environment or new content area.
The project also connected educational high school institutions and the regional economy. 23 entrepreneurial groups involved 61 young (potential) startup entrepreneurs, providing practical work opportunities for them through solving entrepreneurial challenges set by 22 local/regional companies.
23 future start-up entrepreneurs were supported through 1-on-1 counselling and mentoring, 2 start-up academies and 2 networking events in the region.
The project team explored and identified domestic and foreign good practices and designed a handbook of good practices in Slovenian and English language, that outlines 17 successful youth support programmes and practices. 5 educational workshops were implemented, and 51 mentors trained to create a more supporting environment for young people.
The project successfully enhanced the employment potentials of young people in the Pomurje (Mura) region, creating a supportive ecosystem that benefits both the youth and the local economy. The young people in the region improved employment prospects, gained valuable skills and competencies in entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and practical business operations. They also seized the networking opportunities that can lead to internships, jobs, and further professional growth, which can result in reduction of out-migration of young people from the region and providing regional employers with a stable young workforce. The long-term effects of reducing migration of young, educated people and qualified workers to other regions of Slovenia or abroad, are still unknown
Summary of bilateral results
The inclusion of a donor project partner NTNU was crucial for the success of the project. The NTNU brought valuable expertise, enhanced credibility and visibility, provided essential training and capacity building, facilitated networking and collaboration and ensured the sustainability and scalability of the project outcomes. The bilateral partnership not only enriched the project with innovative approaches and global perspectives but also laid a strong foundation for continuous support and development of youth employment initiatives in the Pomurje (Mura) region.Main results from a bilateral level are especially improved knowledge, understanding and gained experiences based on the exchange of good practices within 2 study visits in Norway and Slovenia. Based on those representatives from project partner institutions gained valuable insights into the educational system and economical and demographical situation of both countries and consequently strengthened their competencies. Furthermore, one of the main concrete bilateral results is the jointly designed Handbook of good practices, which represents a valuable source of information for local communities, organizations and decision-makers who strive to stop brain drain and attract highly educated personnel to less developed regions. A consortium of Slovenian project partners is open and interested in continuing the bilateral collaboration, which depends on the funding available in the future. Therefore, concrete plans for cooperation have not yet been defined.