On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, the region of Catalonia in Spain received the special prize for its project on New opportunities and unique programs.

Confronted with the daunting task to curb a 48.9% unemployment rate for young people under 25 in 2013, this region developed its own Youth Guarantee model based on social innovation, with two highly successful programmes.

The “New Opportunities” programme targets early school leavers. Creative methodologies is used to offer job guidance, training, mentoring and insertion. After a short period of personal and vocational guidance exploration young people follow personalised itineraries of up to 2 years.

The “Unique” programme focuses on increasing employability. Major landmarks of this programme are the training activities outside the classroom, the work on transversal competencies and the ongoing tutoring.

Youth from very diverse backgrounds, at risk of exclusion or with higher education, receive customised support for training, employment or to set up their own business. The close cooperation with local social and economic stakeholders from an early stage prove instrumental in supporting the youth and bringing innovation to the local economy.

Moreover, specific actions are being carried out for youths with functional diversity and over 660 youths with disabilities are being hired at special employment centres.

The unemployment rate dropped by 16,6% in 3 years. Over 42700 young people have participated in one of these two programmes, and 19,940 are currently working.

For more information visit Catalonia’s website.

Photo credits: Benjamin Voros @Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@vorosbenisop

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain