Empowering Youth for Equal Success (EYES) addresses youth unemployment and unequal access to employment opportunities in five partner countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Italy and Serbia. The project starts from a practical concern shared by the partner organisations: many young people are formally close to education, training or employment services, but still do not receive the support they need to enter decent, stable and meaningful work.
Youth unemployment is not only an economic indicator. It affects independence, mental wellbeing, confidence, social participation and trust in institutions. Barriers are stronger for young people who face more than one form of disadvantage, including NEET youth, young women and girls, young people from minorities, young people from rural areas, young parents, persons with disabilities and young people with limited access to professional networks.
The EYES partnership brings together YES Bulgaria, Club for Youth Empowerment 018 (KOM 018) from Serbia, Beyond Borders Italy, COSI Romania and GO Alive Greece. The partners combine youth work, research, community outreach, advocacy and local cooperation with schools, public institutions and civil society stakeholders. The project focuses on employability, equal opportunities, youth work capacity building, research-based advocacy and the establishment of local innovation hubs. The hubs are intended to become practical access points where young people can receive information, guidance, mentoring and support to navigate employment and self-employment pathways.