In June 2025, the Erasmus+ project “Empowering Youth Workers for Community-based Social Entrepreneurship” gathered passionate youth workers from across Europe in Yerevan, Armenia. Organized by the Armenian State University of Economics, the training aimed to give participants the knowledge, skills, and networks to design and implement mission-driven ventures. It offered a structured journey through the key stages of social entrepreneurship, from identifying local needs to building sustainable business models that deliver lasting social impact.
For Italy, and particularly for the work of Terra Dulcis, this opportunity came at a pivotal moment. Many communities in the country, especially in rural areas, have been facing challenges linked to unemployment, youth migration, and lack of opportunities for meaningful local engagement. Young people often leave smaller towns in search of work or education, leaving behind communities that struggle to remain vibrant and connected. While there is an emerging interest in sustainable and socially responsible business, there is still a gap in translating ideas into viable, long-term projects that benefit everyone. Before the training, many initiatives in these areas lacked structured planning, investment strategies, or the kind of cross-sector partnerships that could help them grow.
The program in Yerevan provided a dynamic learning space where theoretical concepts met real-world application. Expert-led workshops guided participants through topics like lean startup methods, stakeholder management, and impact measurement. These sessions broke down complex entrepreneurial processes into clear, practical steps. For the participant from Terra Dulcis, it was a revelation to see how a strong business plan could go hand in hand with social values, creating projects that were both financially sustainable and beneficial to the community.
Equally inspiring was the program’s emphasis on inclusive community engagement. Trainers introduced tools and facilitation techniques to ensure that local voices—especially those from marginalized or vulnerable groups—played a central role in shaping solutions. This approach resonated deeply, as it mirrored the core philosophy of Terra Dulcis, which seeks to root every project in the culture, traditions, and needs of the community it serves.
One of the most impactful aspects of the training was the series of field visits to Armenian social enterprises. Participants met entrepreneurs who had built businesses around solving pressing social and environmental problems, from revitalizing rural economies to reducing waste through innovative recycling methods. These visits demonstrated that meaningful change is possible even with limited resources, as long as there is creativity, determination, and genuine collaboration with the community.
The networking opportunities were equally valuable. Through intercultural evenings and collaborative exercises, participants built relationships with peers from across Europe. These connections sparked discussions on shared challenges and potential partnerships, making it clear that many of the issues faced in rural Italy were mirrored in other countries, and that solutions could be adapted and shared across borders.
Returning to Italy, the participant from Terra Dulcis was inspired to launch the “Roots and Wings” initiative. This program aimed to support young people in rural areas to develop their own social enterprise ideas. Combining training sessions, mentorship, and small seed grants, it offered a practical pathway for turning concepts into action. The participatory engagement methods learned in Yerevan were applied to involve local stakeholders in every stage, from idea generation to project evaluation. This ensured that the solutions were grounded in real needs and had the backing of the community.
The results were quick to emerge. Within months, several youth-led projects began to take shape. One group developed a cooperative for organic farming that connected local producers directly with nearby towns, reducing transport costs and environmental impact. Another team created a cultural tourism venture that promoted traditional crafts, bringing both income and renewed pride to the community. These projects not only created employment opportunities but also fostered a stronger sense of local identity and connection.
The impact extended beyond the projects themselves. Young people involved in the initiative gained confidence, leadership skills, and practical business knowledge. Community members, seeing the tangible results of youth-led action, became more open to supporting new ideas and investing in long-term change. Local authorities began to explore ways of integrating social entrepreneurship into their economic development plans, recognizing its potential to address complex challenges in a sustainable way.
Looking to the future, Terra Dulcis aims to expand the “Roots and Wings” initiative to other rural areas in Italy, while maintaining strong connections with partners met through the Erasmus+ project. The vision is to build a network of social entrepreneurs across regions and countries, sharing resources, knowledge, and inspiration to tackle shared challenges.
The experience in Yerevan reinforced a simple but powerful truth: when youth workers are equipped with the right skills, networks, and mindset, they can become catalysts for lasting change. Social entrepreneurship is not just about running a business—it is about planting seeds that will grow into stronger, more resilient, and more connected communities. Through initiatives like this, young people in Italy and beyond can be given both roots to ground them in their heritage and wings to explore new possibilities for the future.