ESF-SI-2023-SKILLS-01-0055

The E.Y.M.B. project aims to address the persistent challenges faced by youth with a migration background, particularly NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), in accessing the job market and achieving socio-economic integration through the provision of an intergenerational mentoring program. 

The project focuses on 4 objectives: 

• Scale up the DUO for a Job employment mentoring programme for young people with a migration background to 3 new city locations. This will be achieved by preparatory activities (market research, organisational preparation, key staff identification) and effective launch of the activities (sourcing and training mentors, sourcing mentees, launching duos)  
• Engage 1000 additional people aged 50+ in intergenerational mentoring to support employment for young people with a migration background. This will happen in our currently operating branches (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Charleroi, Lille, Paris, Marseille, and Rotterdam). By training more mentors in the existing branches, the project team will be able to support more mentees on a short- and long-term basis, as more than 80 % of the mentors continue after their first duo.
• Provide a mentoring service to 2500 young people with a migration background. Like the second objective, this will be realised in current branches. The outreach activities will attract more hard-to-reach youth people with migrant backgrounds to the program.
• Pilot a national mentoring strategic coalition model in one EU country (Belgium) and disseminate learnings and resources to enable this mentoring program to be adopted in other EU countries.

By monitoring progress and engaging stakeholders, the project aims to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of its initiatives, ultimately empowering youth with a migration background to realise their potential and contribute positively to society.

Expected results:

• Establishment of three new branches in targeted locations. 
• 1000 additional trained mentors: increased capacity to match mentees with suitable mentors; expanded mentorship opportunities for mentees across various fields and industries. 
• 5200 young people with migrant backgrounds enrolled in the program. 
• Creation of 1 Mentoring Platform in Belgium: increased coordination between mentoring actors; better ability to influence public policies.

Funding: 684,153.00 Eur

Social innovation scale-up 

DUO for a JOB‘s intergenerational mentoring program, which connects young job seekers with a migrant background to experienced mentors aged 50+, represents a scaled social innovation. This model effectively addresses youth unemployment and the underutilization of senior professionals’ expertise by fostering knowledge transfer, confidence-building, and networking opportunities. Having demonstrated success in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, DUO for a JOB’s approach to bridging the employment gap and promoting social cohesion is being scaled up to its full potential.