How to additionally support young people in career planning? How to support young people who are not in the education system and are not included in the labor market* of which there are about 15.5% in Europe and about 20% at the level of Serbia. 

Although social entrepreneurship has proven its viability and profitability in many countries, the question arises: can or should everyone be an entrepreneur, and if so, is an entrepreneur born or created? 

To contribute to the development of social entrepreneurship, and to present its benefits as a potential for providing support to young people in the NEET situation, the Belgrade Open School implements the E4NEETs project (Strengthening support structures for young people in the NEET situation in the field of entrepreneurship). 

In the period from 31.01. until February 2, 2023. year, as part of the Erasmus + project E4NEETs, the Belgrade Open School team participated in a partner meeting in Montreux, France. At the meeting, the first results of the workshop and training program for empowering young people in NEET status were presented, and which methodology was developed by the Belgrade Open School in cooperation with the SOS Pulse group. Through this program, more than 50 trainers and young people from Spain, North Macedonia, and France have been involved so far, who through interactive workshops had the opportunity to improve their career management skills, learn about the tools they need to start a quality independent business, but also to review and measure their competences in terms of "entrepreneurial waters". In the coming months, we expect even more intense work to reach young people who have reduced social opportunities and want to try their hand at entrepreneurship. 

The project "Strengthening support structures for young people in a NEET situation in the field of entrepreneurship" is coordinated by the SOS Pulse group from France, and in addition to the Belgrade Open School, partners in the project are the Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories (AVITEM, France), the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Teras ( Spain), Marseille Local Mission (France), and National Youth Council (North Macedonia). 

*NEET YOUNG PEOPLE - young people who are not in the formal system of education, employment, or training