In August 2023, youth workers from many European countries gathered in Barcelos, Portugal, for the Erasmus+ training course “From NEET to Compete – A Holistic Approach to Youth Employability.” The aim of this international project was to support young people who are not in education, employment, or training—often called NEET youth. The project helped youth workers learn better ways to guide these young people back into society and the labor market. Through teamwork, sport activities, discussions, and peer learning, the training gave youth workers new tools and confidence to support youth at risk of social exclusion. For many participants, including the Estonian team from RAAMA NOORTE UHING NOORUS MTU, this experience became a turning point in their professional work and community action.
In Estonia, youth workers were already aware of the problems NEET youth face. In May 2023, many of these challenges became even more visible. The social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still strong. Many young people had dropped out of school, lost jobs, or stayed isolated for a long time. Mental health problems and low self-esteem became common among youth, especially in rural areas. In smaller Estonian towns, youth centers often lacked the resources to fully support these vulnerable young people. At the same time, there was a growing gap between school systems and the real needs of the labor market. Vocational training was not always seen as attractive, and many NEET youth felt lost between systems. This situation created a big challenge for youth workers, who needed more tools to connect with and support these young people effectively.
The training course in Barcelos came at just the right time. For the Estonian participants, it was a refreshing and eye-opening experience. One of the most powerful parts of the course was the use of sport and physical activities as tools for building trust, motivation, and teamwork. Many youth workers had never used sport in their daily work before. They saw how even a simple team game could break communication barriers and improve self-esteem in NEET youth. The course also offered deep discussions about the emotional and psychological reasons behind NEET status. For many, this holistic view was new. They learned how personal responsibility, mental health, family background, and education systems all play a role. These new insights helped the Estonian participants see their local problems in a broader, European context.
Another important part of the training was the exchange of experiences with youth workers from other countries. Hearing stories from Portugal, Romania, Italy, and Germany helped participants understand that the NEET challenge is not just local—it is global. At the same time, it gave hope. In Portugal, for example, youth workers presented a model where young people learn job skills while also doing community service. This method created motivation and a sense of belonging. For the Estonian team, this was an inspiring best practice that they wanted to bring back home.
When the Estonian youth workers returned home, they decided to act. Based on what they learned in Portugal, they created a small pilot project in their community. The idea was to combine sport-based activities with employability workshops. They started working with a local youth center and invited NEET youth to take part in weekly sessions. Each session had two parts: one was physical activity like football or team games, and the other was a soft-skills workshop focused on communication, self-discipline, or teamwork. They also invited guest speakers—young professionals from the local area who had once been NEET themselves. These guests shared their personal stories and encouraged participants to believe in second chances.
This pilot project quickly showed results. Young people who had not left their homes in weeks started coming to the center. Many of them said that the sport activities helped them feel less anxious and more motivated. One boy said that it was the first time in months he felt part of a team. The workshops helped participants understand their own strengths and learn how to talk about them in job interviews. Some participants even started making their first CVs and talking about future jobs. Parents and social workers in the area also gave positive feedback. They noticed that the young people became more active, responsible, and open to new experiences.
The impact of the project went beyond the youth who joined. The local municipality became interested and asked for a meeting to learn more. After hearing about the positive changes, they agreed to co-fund the next stage of the project. This support made it possible to expand the program to two more towns. Schools and job centers also started showing interest. They asked for training sessions for their staff based on the methods used in the pilot. This growing cooperation created a new local network focused on NEET youth. What started as a small project after an Erasmus+ training became a larger community movement in Estonia.
Looking to the future, the team from RAAMA NOORTE UHING NOORUS MTU believes even more strongly in the power of youth. They saw how young people can change if given trust, time, and the right tools. The training in Portugal showed them that change doesn’t always need big money or huge programs. Sometimes, it starts with a game of football, a shared story, or a safe place to talk. They now want to continue working on youth empowerment, with a focus on sustainable methods that include sport, storytelling, and community engagement. They also want to share their experience with other NGOs in Estonia, hoping that more youth workers can learn from their story.
The Erasmus+ project “From NEET to Compete” proved that youth workers can be true changemakers. By giving them the chance to learn from each other, experiment with new methods, and reflect on their work, this program created real impact. In Estonia, that impact continues to grow. For the youth workers involved, the project did not end in August 2023. It was only the beginning of a new journey—one where every young person, no matter their background, can find a way to compete, contribute, and belong.