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Funding period
2014–20212021–2028

Showing all data for 2014–2021

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Bilateral initiative · 2014–2021

Enhancing Youth Competitiveness through the Entrepreneurial Youth Center Pilot Program

  • Workshop or seminar
  • Other
€126k
Grant awarded
€124k
Grant incurred

About this initiative

The bilateral partnership between Estonia and Norway focuses on developing youth initiative and entrepreneurship and enhancing cooperation in the youth sector across national borders. The project is based on the need to improve the quality of non-formal education in youth centers and to better understand its role in supporting youth entrepreneurship, thereby giving young people greater competitiveness when entering the labour market. The goal is to develop and pilot a self-assessment model for supporting youth entrepreneurship as a tool through the bilateral partnership. This model will help youth centers evaluate and improve the effectiveness of their activities in fostering youth initiative, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial attitudes. The project involves a key role for the steering group and youth sector experts from Estonia and Norway. At the heart of the bilateral partnership is the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and practices between Estonian and Norwegian youth sector experts, aiming to develop an effective and functional model that can be piloted in both countries. The project includes 15 youth centers across Estonia, covering all counties, which will pilot the developed solution. Additionally, the local youth centres of partner organisation, are also involved.

Results achieved

All intended activities were successfully carried out, and all indicators were fully achieved – in some cases even exceeding expectations. The pilot program enabled the development and implementation of a self-assessment model and a five-level quality label system, which proved to be a practical and effective tool for improving the daily work of youth centers. The self-assessment model was piloted by 15 youth centers. Based on the results, the program’s impact on the internal operations of youth centers stood out – activities became more intentional, teamwork improved, and the support for entrepreneurial mindset became more meaningful and strategic. Participants clearly highlighted the role of mentors, the structuring effect of action plans, and the value of cooperation with other centers. Collaboration with Norwegian partners was meaningful and mutually enriching. The partners’ experience helped enhance the quality of the emerging model, and the foundations were laid for continued international cooperation, including plans to organize learning mobility for Estonian youth workers to visit the Norwegian partners. For the project team, the greatest value lies in the sustainability of the developed system and its long-term impact on the quality of youth work. The first public call for quality label applications is currently underway, and the interest among youth centers to participate is significant, confirming both the relevance and reliability of the system.

Partners

Projects in Bilateral Fund