Aim Learn Master Achieve - ALMA Initiative
About this good practice
Young people, especially NEETs (and even more so those from vulnerable groups), face challenges finding employment due to skill mismatches, lack of experience, and competences such as self-confidence, proactivity, and problem-solving. Social exclusion is a risk, making inclusion efforts crucial. The ALMA initiative can help by supporting long-term unemployed youth in Slovenia, aiding their transition into work, education, and society, and addressing labour market gaps and workforce shortages.
ALMA is a 6-month mentoring model divided into three stages:
Stage 1: preparation for mobility, activation for 2 months: with individual mentoring support, offering career guidance, creating a safe space for reflecting, and identifying the main challenges and hurdles that prevent young NEETs from better integrating into the labour market and society. Through a set of targeted workshops, we help NEETs build and strengthen vital skills and competencies.
Stage 2: mobility in another EU country and work-related learning experience for 70 days. Empowerment – I can do it. Transnational partnership cooperation in the hosting country enables mobility. We work with hosting organizations that provide mentoring support, work placements, and accommodation for our participants during their stay abroad.
Stage 3: follow-up activities, evaluation (skills and work experiences gained, developed, boosted), (1-2 months) of mobility for 1 – 2 months, integration.
Resources needed
Approx. 1.312.000,00 EUR, European Social Fund + co-funding for the ALMA initiative. Several human resources to set up and run the project: 4 – head of a project, co-ordinator, and 2 mentors.
Evidence of success
The National Mobility Scheme (2017–2022), the predecessor of the ALMA Initiative, provided transnational work-based learning to 189 NEETs, achieving 82.1% of its target. Over 60% improved employability, and 45% found jobs within six months. Over 75% of participants reported enhanced communication and teamwork skills, while 68% demonstrated increased adaptability and resilience. Around 55% showed improved problem-solving abilities, and 60% reported greater confidence in professional settings.
Potential for learning or transfer
It developed tailor-made, supervised activation-empowerment and mentoring standards as a toolkit for mentors to work with NEET participants. Through a six-month supervised activation-empowerment program, mentors guide participants in identifying key competences and developing skills for better labor market integration or social inclusion. Mentors monitor progress, tailor support, and apply both group and individual methods – workshops and one-on-one sessions, to enhance confidence and prepare participants for mobility. Continuous evaluations ensure a personalized approach, with ESS mentors and host organizations adjusting support as needed. After mobility, coaching and structured workshops help participants apply their experiences and transition into employment or further education. Evaluation tools and mentoring session forms facilitate tracking progress and goal achievement, ensuring the program’s effectiveness in empowering young people.
Further information
ALMA Initiative
Website
Good practice owner
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