The project “People, Places, Partnerships” responded to the context of youth employment crisis and a resulting period of uncertainty and insecurity for many young people in Europe. It offered a model of youth empowerment which is linked to entrepreneurship (3P Model) and can be utilized and used in many communities in Europe. The model was developed and tested by the Consortium of Partners from eight European countries and evaluated by the project’s target group – young people, youth workers, municipalities and local stakeholders. The result was a set of tools for implementation of the model, including the Guidebook of the 3P Model with lessons learned and the easy-to-use online sharing and learning platform which will sustain after termination of the project. Young people with fewer opportunities are the main target group of the project. It was expected that they learn how to think and act as entrepreneurs; plan, implement and sustain their projects and design them as community-oriented services. Through analyzing the needs and resources of their community and fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, young people were enabled to turn existing youth structures, such as youth clubs or centers, into sustainable Community Hubs, places for community dialogue, learning and service provision. A supportive training program was designed by the Consortium of Partners and enabled young people to strengthen their project management, communication and leadership skills, as well as increase their employability potential. The long-term goal of the project was that more youth initiatives were offered as services to the community, and youth centers and clubs became youth-led Community Hubs where young people take ownership of their ideas, actions and results. The project methodology was based on a set of collaborative tools and outputs (Community Maps, Community Visions, Sustainability Plans). The political dimension involved policy work with municipalities on sustaining Community Hubs. International meetings were crucial elements in the development of this model and this project. They included partners’ meetings to steer the process, the training of youth workers to deliver the training program, and an international youth exchange, both online and face-to-face.

The Build Your Future Project 2015-2017 was designed to promote the take-up of practical entrepreneurial experiences for young people with fewer opportunities: project’s target group which deserves attention in the context of youth unemployment in Europe. The objectives were to equip young people with skills and attitudes necessary to develop their entrepreneurial mindset; strengthen their employability skills to be better prepared for the employment, self-employment or further education; and to foster cooperation among civil society and policy stakeholders on sustainable support structures and policies for local entrepreneurship.The project was implemented by the Consortium of 9 Partners from Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the UK: experts in youth work and non-formal education. It started with the research of the local context and young people’s needs. Other project activities included the Training of Trainers for youth workers, international blended mobility learning event for young people, online learning and exchange, the Entrepreneurship Labs, the Build Your Future Challenge, partners’ meetings and the Multiplier Events. Main results and impact:- The Entrepreneurship Education Course of 5 Modules became an innovative practice-oriented learning tool for young people with fewer opportunities to study entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship.- The Course Material is available in 6 languages: English, German, Croatian, Italian, Slovak and Hungarian.- 160 young people were selected in Ireland, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and the UK to participate in the project, incl. 75% of young people with fewer opportunities; 113 people graduated.- The motivation of young people increased significantly for their current school studies in all countries. Graduates from the Dublin group became the leaders for the Build Your Future-2 in Dublin; 60 project ideas were developed by young people in Croatia.- 20 youth workers in 7 countries became trainers and mentors to young people.- 4 international meetings among 134 project participants led to an intensive exchange of experience and learning- 1.500 EUR were raised for the Build Your Future Challenge to support entrepreneurial ideas of young people. 3 projects out of 7 were awarded the start-up grants- 401 people attended 10 Multiplier Events in 7 countries.- 45 Entrepreneurship Labs were organised in 7 countries for 745 participants with over 50 guest speakers and will continue. - The Build Your Future project is set and funded for the 2nd phase in Ireland, UK and Italy.- Local municipalities granted their support to the project.- 11 young people from Italy, Slovakia, Romania and Croatia set up their business.- The Evaluation Report with the lessons learnt is available for public use- The Course became the working tool to promote participation of young people with fewer opportunities and contributed to youth empowerment on a European scale.