COOPOWER

Duration: April 2025 – March 2028
Lead Partner: Center for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria) 

Project Aim

The COOPOWER project aims to tackle the persistent issue of youth unemployment and social inequality in the Danube Region, with a special focus on young people aged 15 to 30 who face significant barriers to entering the labour market. These challenges may stem from limited access to education, economic hardship, or living in disadvantaged areas. Bringing together nine partner organisations from eight countries, the project creates space for collaboration across sectors—engaging youth, local authorities, civil society, researchers, and employers alike—to co-develop practical solutions tailored to regional realities.

Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, COOPOWER emphasizes shared learning and local adaptation. Through pilot programmes, local cooperation incubators, and a transnational dialogue hub, the project fosters exchange and builds networks that outlive the project’s timeframe. Its ultimate goal is to strengthen local capacities, support vulnerable youth in finding meaningful employment, and contribute to a more cohesive and inclusive Danube Region.

Specific objectives

SO1: Establishing baseline and capitalising on existing knowledge and practices

SO2: Strengthening local cooperation and enhancing transnational policy discourse

SO3: Evidence-based learning for adaptable solutions