Skills4Life

Young people leaving the special child protection system in the Danube region face major challenges in education, employment, and social inclusion. Many struggle with low self-esteem, insufficient skills, and limited access to housing, healthcare, and job opportunities. These difficulties often result in unemployment and a poor quality of life.

The project aims to improve policies and support systems for young care leavers across the Danube region. It will develop and test an innovative educational program – Skills4Life – focused on building personal and professional skills, improving employability, and supporting independent living. Activities include mentoring, counseling, internships, and training programs tailored to the needs of vulnerable youth.

Key project outputs include:

• The Skills4Life Training Programme, co-designed, tested, and validated;
• The Skills4Life Mentoring and Counseling Model;
• Pilot actions for youth labour market integration;
• A Danube Skills4Life Strategy and Action Plan;
• A Youth Empowerment Network for ongoing support and collaboration.

Beneficiaries include care leavers, youth organizations, training centers, employers, and public authorities. Through transnational cooperation, the project enhances knowledge sharing and creates a stronger, more coordinated response to shared challenges in the region.

By offering free access to training, mentoring, and direct links to public authorities and employers, the project empowers young people with the tools and support needed to build independent, successful lives.