Workshop #1: Unlocking the Potential of NEETs: Exploring collaboration opportunities in the Danube Region

On 19 June 2024, the "Back on Track" project hosted its first online stakeholder workshop, titled "Unlocking the Potential of NEETs: Join the 'Back on Track' initiative. The event, organised by PRIZMA Foundation in collaboration with project partners, brought together 48 participants via Zoom.  

The inaugural Back on Track stakeholder workshop was a great success, introducing the project to stakeholders and fostering a collaborative environment. It also generated valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities related to NEETs. The breakout sessions identified effective technologies and strategies for engaging NEETs, highlighted significant digital barriers, and proposed potential solutions. The discussions highlighted the value of stakeholder collaboration in developing sustainable support systems for NEETs. 

Context setting 

Julia Probst from the Austrian Young Workers Movement (ÖJAB) provided a comprehensive overview of the Back on Track project. She outlined the project’s key objectives, which include addressing the issue of rural NEETs through targeted support and digital inclusion, with the aim of enhancing the integration and attractiveness of rural areas and reducing the NEET rate in the EU. 

Ilija Radovanović from Philanthropy, the Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, presented findings on the characteristics and needs of rural NEETs in the Danube Region. These insights were gathered through interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. 

Mateja Karničnik from PRIZMA Foundation emphasised the importance of stakeholder roles and collaboration. She introduced the transnational Stakeholder Network and outlined plans for regular interactive sessions, including five transnational multi-stakeholder dialogue workshops during the project period. 

Diving into key issues 

The workshop featured three breakout sessions, each focusing on critical aspects of engaging and supporting NEETs. 

1. Leveraging Technology for NEET Engagement
   The first breakout session centred on how digital inclusion can enhance the engagement and integration of rural NEETs. Participants discussed the effectiveness of various technologies, including social media, mobile apps, online learning platforms, and AI, in reaching and supporting NEETs. However, they also highlighted significant challenges such as the lack of access to technology, low digital literacy, and the difficulty of maintaining motivation among NEETs. To address these issues, the session concluded with suggestions for developing mentoring programmes, creating innovative digital training models, and increasing virtual mobility to transform brain drain into brain gain. 
2. Overcoming Digital Barriers
   In the second breakout session, participants explored strategies to overcome the digital barriers faced by NEETs. They identified key challenges such as limited infrastructure, lack of access to technology, and low digital literacy. The discussion highlighted successful strategies that have been implemented, such as using creative methods like smartphone filmmaking and adapting training methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants agreed that collaboration among governments, NGOs, and the private sector is crucial to providing better support and overcoming these barriers. 
3. Motivating and Engaging NEETs
   The third breakout session focused on identifying effective strategies for motivating NEETs to pursue education, employment, or training opportunities. Participants noted that continuous support, investment in the educational system, and the creation of networks for paid internships are vital factors in motivating NEETs. They emphasised the importance of building trust between service providers and beneficiaries and ensuring stable financing for projects. Additionally, the session discussed the need for creating systems where companies continue to support NEETs beyond the initial project phases. 

Building up next actions 

These insights and collaborations will be instrumental in shaping future strategies and solutions. The next interactive sessions and transnational workshops promise to build on this foundation, driving progress in empowering NEETs and revitalising rural areas across the EU.