ALMA Empowers Italy’s Youth to Build Skills, Connections, and Their Future

The stories of Samuele Grasso and Noemi Gentile are great examples of how quickly life can change when you’re willing to say yes to unexpected opportunities.

Just days after finishing a seasonal job at a theme park in Sicily, Samuele found himself scrolling through Facebook, feeling lost, restless, and searching for purpose.

Suddenly, one post caught his eye. It was a last-minute call for applications to the ALMA initiative – something he’d never heard of before.

“Working at a theme park left me feeling that I wanted a change,” Samuele recalls. “I felt a strong urge to explore new opportunities, and then the Facebook post popped up. It was the last day to submit new applications. It truly felt like destiny.”

At around the same time, Noemi felt lost too. She had just finished high school with a graphic arts focus, but was unsure about how to approach the job market.

“I felt unprepared to take the first steps into adulthood and professional life,” she recalls. “I was quite reserved and a shy girl, which did not help.”

Then, a friend told Noemi about ALMA and encouraged her to apply. But, unlike Samuele, she felt a bit hesitant.

“Initially, I wasn’t very convinced,” she admits. “But the idea of experiencing life in a new country, gaining work experience, and building friendships eventually won me over.”

Seizing the Opportunity

At the time, both Samuele and Noemi were like many young Europeans: overwhelmed and unsure of their next steps. And ALMA is on a mission to change that.

Funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus Social Innovation+ initiative, ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve) provides young people aged 18–29 with an opportunity to reclaim control over their futures.

The initiative supports young individuals not currently in education, employment or training by guiding them through a unique three-part journey: preparation and training at home, a work-related learning experience abroad, and continued mentoring upon return.

Through social media or a friend, Samuele and Noemi came across S.TR.O.N.G. – one of the projects under the ALMA initiative. Led by the Italian organisation Essenia UETP, the project offered 21 young people the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally by gaining work experience in Malta or Spain.

Samuele had experienced life abroad before, but this time, he was looking for something deeper and more structured. Meanwhile, Noemi had never been abroad, so even taking her first flight felt overwhelming. But they applied anyway – and got in.

During ALMA, both Samuele and Noemi had the chance to live and work in Malta, setting the stage for one of the most transformative chapters of their lives.

The Power of Preparation

Before traveling abroad, all participants underwent intensive training in Italy, which included language lessons, personal mentoring, and skills-based workshops to prepare them for life and work in a foreign environment.

“The experience was incredible from the start,” Samuele says. “We were supported emotionally and psychologically. The team helped us prepare for the cultural, social, and practical realities we would face.”

Workshops focused on soft skills, CV building, intercultural communication, and confidence-building. According to Samuele, the staff at Essenia UETP and their partners were “present, competent, and approachable”, and he never felt alone on this journey.

Noemi echoes the importance of preparation: “For me, the training was a true revelation. I learned so many things and improved my English, which I hadn’t been confident in,” she says.

That solid groundwork proved essential when the time came to board the plane.

First Times and Lifelong Bonds

In Malta, Samuele had the opportunity to work as a reservations agent in a hotel. It was his first-ever office job.

“It pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he says. “I had to organise tasks, manage my time efficiently, stay calm under pressure and interact with clients every day, which improved my English. I think it helped me grow, learn, and figure out what I want.”

For Noemi, the work-related experience began as a huge challenge but ultimately became transformative.

“The beginning was tough,” she admits. “I was terrified of working and interacting with strangers. But slowly, I gained confidence as I improved my communication skills, adapted to new situations, and started working directly with customers.”

Support from local ALMA partners made all the difference. “They were incredibly professional and welcoming,” Samuele remembers. “The tutors guided me step by step. I never felt alone, and that meant a lot.”

Noemi couldn’t agree more. “The constant support, both in Italy and Malta, was incredibly reassuring and gave me the courage to take on this experience,” she says.

But the most powerful part of the experience wasn’t professional; it was personal.

“I lived with other participants, and over time, they became like a second family,” Samuele shares. “Those connections made me feel like I was part of something bigger. Before heading back to Italy, we wrote each other personal notes. That moment will stay with me forever.”

Defining Moments

Before leaving Malta, Samuele received an unexpected offer: the company wanted to hire him on a permanent basis.

“It was unforgettable,” he says. “Even though I had to turn down the offer for personal reasons, it was proof of my growth. It was a powerful affirmation of my value and capabilities.”

For Noemi, one small but meaningful moment stood out.

“A deeply emotional experience was meeting a Muslim girl at a bus stop who later visited me at work to bring me a snack, even though we had only met twice,” she says. “It was a small but touching gesture that showed me the power of kindness and connection beyond cultural differences.”

It was moments like these that participants remember for the rest of their lives.

The people behind the initiative witnessed the impact of the ALMA experience firsthand. Giovanna Palumbo, General Manager of Essenia UETP and a key driver of the S.TR.O.N.G. project, explains:

“Thanks to this initiative, the majority of participants reintegrated into work, training or education,” she says. “But we measure success not only through numbers but by how participants transform: how they regained confidence, how they reimagined their futures.”

Mentors didn’t just advise – they listened, encouraged, and celebrated each personal milestone. “It was a real support,” Samuele insists. “They didn’t just help us find jobs – they helped us find ourselves.”

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter Begins

Today, Samuele’s and Noemi’s journeys continue.

Samuele has started a new seasonal job and plans to enrol at university to study Languages and Communication Sciences, pursuing his passion for languages, theatre, and intercultural dialogue.

“Through this experience, I have rediscovered the energy and motivation to both work and study,” he says. “Now, I feel that I’m finally on a path I chose for myself.”

For Noemi, the ALMA experience went beyond acquiring work experience or learning professional skills.

“I found the confidence to live my life,” she says. “I became more autonomous, aware of my ability to adapt to new environments and collaborate with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. I finally felt like an adult.”

After the initiative, Noemi is now planning to enrol at university and study Sociology. She is also looking for a part-time job in the graphic design field to support herself during her studies.

“I am really glad I was brave enough to apply for this transformative journey,” she says with a smile. “I’m no longer afraid of attending job interviews, trying new things, and stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Samuele says that living and working with people from across Europe reshaped his worldview.

“I lived and worked with people from different countries,” he says. “I felt part of something bigger – a European community. We shared ideas, cultures, habits, which made me realise that unity in diversity is a powerful thing. Today, I feel like a true European citizen.”

“Signing up for ALMA was a spontaneous decision that shaped my future,” he adds. “For anyone considering joining it, I would say: ‘Don’t think twice, just do it!’ You will realise you’re not alone – others are walking a similar path. It changed my life and can change yours too.”

Noemi echoes this message. “I come from a small village in the South of Italy and this opportunity gave me a totally different vision of Europe and really opened my mind. Today, I feel strongly about what being a European citizen means,” she says.

Samuele’s and Noemi’s experiences are deeply personal, yet not unique. ALMA has given young people across Europe a second chance, proving that investing in youth can create extraordinary things. Palumbo adds: “ALMA is a powerful and timely response to the deep social and economic exclusion faced by young people who often live on the margins of opportunity, feeling disconnected from education, work, and society. The initiative doesn’t leave anyone behind.”

Learn more: S.TR.O.N.G. project

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