In June 2025, the Erasmus+ project “Empowering Youth Workers for Community-based Social Entrepreneurship” brought together motivated youth workers from across Europe to Yerevan, Armenia. Hosted by the Armenian State University of Economics, the program offered a unique space for learning, exchanging ideas, and developing projects that could address pressing social and environmental challenges. It combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiences, guiding participants through every stage of creating mission-driven ventures that are both financially viable and socially impactful.
For Romania, and particularly for the work of GreenHope, this training came at a critical time. Many communities in the country face economic challenges, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Young people often leave their hometowns in search of better opportunities abroad, leaving behind a gap in local innovation and leadership. Small businesses struggle to survive, and social initiatives often lack the resources or know-how to create long-term impact. Before this training, many well-intentioned projects in Romania operated without clear business strategies, making it difficult for them to grow, attract funding, or sustain themselves over time.
The experience in Yerevan was transformative. Expert-led workshops introduced participants to key concepts in social entrepreneurship, such as business planning, market analysis, and measuring social impact. These sessions demystified the process of turning an idea into a functioning enterprise, showing that social values and financial sustainability can and should work together. The training placed strong emphasis on inclusive community engagement, equipping youth workers with methods to involve local stakeholders—especially marginalized groups—in co-creating solutions that truly respond to community needs.
One of the most inspiring parts of the program was the direct exposure to Armenian social enterprises. Participants visited initiatives that had been built around solving real problems, from empowering women through handicraft production to developing eco-friendly agricultural practices. These case studies showed that even with limited resources, creativity, strong partnerships, and local engagement can lead to impressive results. Seeing how Armenian entrepreneurs worked with communities, built trust, and created lasting change gave participants a clear model to adapt in their own countries.
The networking aspect of the project was equally valuable. Through intercultural evenings, small group projects, and informal conversations, participants developed relationships with youth workers and social innovators from across Europe. These connections opened doors for future collaboration and allowed for the exchange of strategies to address similar challenges in different cultural contexts.
Returning to Romania, the participant from GreenHope felt energized to put this learning into practice. Inspired by the training, GreenHope launched the “Seeds of Change” program, an initiative aimed at supporting young people in underdeveloped areas to create their own social enterprises. The program included local workshops on business planning, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and opportunities to pitch ideas for small start-up grants. Importantly, the approach adopted the participatory methods learned in Armenia, ensuring that each project involved the voices of the local community from the beginning.
The early outcomes were encouraging. Several youth-led projects emerged, including a sustainable food cooperative connecting local farmers to urban markets, and a community recycling initiative that provided jobs for unemployed residents while promoting environmental awareness. These projects not only generated income but also addressed social and environmental issues in their regions.
The ripple effects were visible beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Young participants developed confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of ownership over their communities’ future. Local authorities began to recognize the value of social entrepreneurship, showing interest in supporting similar initiatives through policy and small grants. Other NGOs reached out to GreenHope to explore partnerships, expanding the network of organizations working towards sustainable community development.
The experience in Yerevan proved that empowering youth workers with entrepreneurial skills has far-reaching effects. It creates a multiplier effect, where one trained youth worker can inspire and support dozens of young people, who in turn create solutions for hundreds in their communities. For Romania, this approach represents a path towards reducing migration, revitalizing rural areas, and building a culture of innovation that serves both people and the planet.
Looking ahead, GreenHope aims to expand “Seeds of Change” to more regions, while maintaining strong collaboration with international partners met during the Erasmus+ program. The vision is clear: a future where young people are not forced to leave their communities to find opportunities, but can build them right where they are. By connecting entrepreneurial skills with social purpose, and by valuing the voices of all community members, change becomes not only possible but sustainable.
This project demonstrated that when youth workers are given the right tools, knowledge, and networks, they can plant the seeds for transformation that will grow for generations to come.