Research and Comprehensive Intervention for the social inclusion of young people not in education, employment or training” (NEETs)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Centre for Educational Policy Development of the Greek General Confederation of Labour
Project Number:
GR07-0011
Target groups
Young adults,
People at risk of poverty
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€195,000
Final project cost:
€183,885
From EEA Grants:
€ 156,302
The project is carried out in:
Greece

Description

This research project focuses on more specialized issues, namely a) psychological profile/existence of possible psychopathology and psychological support of NEETs and b) NEETs' skills-profile, needs-in- skills and targeted competence-based training, in terms of reskilling, towards the increase of their employability and consequently, their integration into the labour market, while it investigates the impact of the ongoing crisis on the abovementioned parameters of the NEETs' phenomenon. Simultaneously, it includes both research and practical responses to the abovementioned needs. Based on quantitative and qualitative research findings (including research both on the psychological profile of NEETs and on their “skills’ repertoire” and subsequently their needs-in-skills), it aims at the formulation of a comprehensive intervention at training level (based on the findings of the triangulated needs assessment) and at the development of a set of psychological supportive activities towards the actual inclusion of this major socially vulnerable group, namely NEETs, (young people who are off the key domains of institutions of welfare state and, therefore, are extremely vulnerable to social exclusion).

Summary of project results

Based on Eurostat’s data, youth unemployment in Greece is one of the highest among the European Union member-states along with high percentages of poverty and social exclusion. Consequently, young people in Greece have been severely affected due to the financial crisis as long as the percentages of social vulnerable groups are rising. One socially vulnerable group of young people aged 15-24 who are not included in employment, education and training, is the group of NEETs. The planned results of the Project and, simultaneously, its strategic objective were the design and the development of a twofold comprehensive intervention proposal in the form of research-based a) targeted and competence-based training-reskilling programme (guidelines for counseling and vocational guidance) and b) a proposed set of psychological supportive actions, aiming at the re-inclusion of NEETs in Greece. All the project’s “products” are intended to constitute "good practices" and produce “new” knowledge in the fields of training- reskilling, psychological support/intervention and counseling & vocational guidance at both national and European level, even extended for other socially vulnerable groups, which are at risk of social marginalization and social exclusion (e.g. migrants, single parent families leaders, especially women, etc.). In conclusion, the dissemination of the research findings of the Project, the development of practical and implementable responses and the potential exchange of "good practices" could enrich the existing academic political and social dialogue (at the national and European level) and strengthen cooperation between the State, the Local State, the stakeholders, the communities of practice (especially in the fields of training, counseling and welfare) towards the further development of effective measures against social exclusion of NEETs and other socially vulnerable groups.

Summary of bilateral results