According to the ILO, post-COVID unemployment has hit young people disproportionately, especially in low- and middleincome countries. Moreover we can’t overlook the fact that the consequences of this disruption to the early labour market experience of young people could last for years (WESO Trends, 2021). Reportedly, low skilled youth is more vulnerable to the economic recession and unemployment, as EU figures show, especially in countries suffering from the economic crisis, such as Greece and Italy. Many have argued that the COVID-19 crisis is an ideal opportunity to rebuild, emerging from the crisis on a stronger, more inclusive growth path by investing in green activities. Eco-entrepreneurship as a concept stems from the conviction of opting for greener practices not only to enable businesses to incorporate technology based on sustainability, but also to help to increase the profitability of organisations and the labour market.

Yet despite policies to address youth unemployment and promote greener behaviors in entrepreneurial learning, young people remain idle, and nearly 13 million of them being reckoned as NEETs. Building on the EU Youth Guarantee program, which supports young NEETs re-engagement through consistent educational opportunities, the creation of such opportunities should be prioritized. 

Given the link between sustainability and personal growth in the EU economic development, there is substantial need to re-engage young NEETs, especially those from rural areas, to foster a sustainable development mindset. Therefore, young NEETs should be encouraged to engage in their communities and address unemployment through social and environmental awareness. Not only will this create new opportunities for societal well-being, but it will also drive a youth-led movement that can create concrete change toward a healthy planet. One proven approach to reaching NEETs is activity-based education. Under this approach, fostering their eco-entrepreneurial skills will enable them to put basic entrepreneurial principles into practice to start their own eco-enterprise.

In summary, eco-preneurship is not just a buzzword. It is a transformative movement that addresses two crucial priorities for our future. First, it inspires the next generation to make the planet's well-being a central aspect of their every-day life. Second, it provides a lifeline for NEETs, giving them the opportunity to develop skills and join the ranks of sustainable businesses. As the EU embraces this trend, it is actively building a brighter, greener and more inclusive future for all.

EcopreNEETs is an Erasmus+ funded project dedicated to engage young NEETs to the labour market, enhance their environmental responsibility and increase their eco-preneurial skills. The project started on the 1st of April 2023 and will last until the 31st of March 2025.

The partnership includes organizations from from 5 European countries: LENA (France), ATERMON BV (the Netherlands), DigiCULT (Poland), Ecocenter Alapítvány (Hungary) and Learning Seed (Greece).

The project provides a holistic approach, focusing on introducing all the relevant information about eco-preneurship and NEETs training. Three main results that will be produced during the project’s lifetime are the following:

Creation of  a training MOOC for Eco-Skills. The EcopreNEETs training MOOC will introduce young people to the world of eco-entrepreneurship, familiarize them with the eco-business language and provide them with valuable eco-skills

Train the trainer. By re-training certified youth workers and trainers, the partners will ensuring a more sustainable, eco-preneurial and up-to-date education for NEETs.

EcopreNEETs Incubation. The partners will provide provide young NEETs with guidance, mentoring and coaching services to help them become active and competitive in the labour market and - why-not - support them in starting their own eco-business.    

The Kick-Off Meeting of the project took place in Bordeaux, France on the 27th of April 2023. Following the successful finalization of the White Paper and the comprehensive Glossary of Terms, the partners are now in the process of developing the modules, which will be incorporated into the MOOC. The next meeting will be held in Budapest in January 2024.