From Hesitation to Hope: How ALMA Helps Greek Youth Discover Their Potential
At 23, Giorgios Arabatzis felt lost.
“I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to pursue next,” he recalls. Giorgios was unemployed, not in education or training, and unsure how to move forward.
Days blurred into each other. His future felt like a blank page, and he didn’t quite know where to begin writing his own story.
Then, one afternoon, his phone rang. On the line was Dimitris Kalaitzidis, President of the International Forum Faros in Greece, introducing him to ALMA, an EU initiative that offers opportunities to young people aged 18 to 29 who are not in employment, education, or training.
Dimitris explained that ALMA stands for Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve: four simple steps that would soon reshape Giorgios’ life. The initiative follows a unique three-part structure: local training, a supported work-related learning experience abroad, and coaching upon return.
“I was very curious,” he says. “I wanted to see what it’s like to live and work abroad, and I thought it might help my CV.”
That spark of curiosity, small as it seemed, opened the door to something far greater.
The First Step Into the Unknown
Giorgios was among 30 young Greeks selected to join ALMA/GR, one of the projects operating under the broader ALMA initiative.
The experience began with months of tailored preparation in Greece, including language classes, soft skills training, and workshops such as CV writing.
Then, he travelled to Berlin, Germany, for a transformative experience: real work in a foreign country, exposure to new cultures, and the chance to grow.
“It was the first time I’d been somewhere so different,” he says. “I didn’t know what to expect. But I didn’t feel alone. The support system was there every step of the way.”
That support came not only from the project team but from peers and mentors who believed in him. It wasn’t about thrusting young people into unfamiliar situations but about helping them uncover their strengths in those very settings.
Growth, Guided by Mentorship
Behind Giorgios’ journey were people who recognised his potential – among them, project operator Dimitris and coordinator Anastasia Sachinidou. Their experience, patience, and commitment served as a steady anchor during uncertain times.
“It was the first time this type of initiative was launched in Greece,” Anastasia explains. “We had to navigate unfamiliar systems, reach struggling youth, and prove that this process could be a catalyst for change. But we knew the effort would be worth it.”
“Some participants even found jobs before going abroad,” she adds. “But for those who went abroad, the transformation was remarkable. They returned more confident, more independent, and with a clearer sense of purpose.”
She credits mentors like Dimitris as essential to that success.
“He was a perfect person to implement the project, as he has many years of experience in this field and also worked in Berlin before so that he could find the best people. His guidance gave participants confidence that they’d be heard and supported,” she adds.
Becoming the Version You Didn’t Know Existed
For Giorgios, change didn’t happen overnight, but it was profound and lasting.
“Through ALMA, I developed my social and soft skills. I learned how to interact, how to adapt,” he says. “It also gave me the confidence to use English in real conversations.”
However, the most significant transformation occurred within.
“I began to see myself differently,” Giorgios shares. “I realised I could live and work abroad. Exploring a major European city together with other people was very impactful. I felt a part of something bigger.”
That realisation sparked a fire.
“Since completing the initiative, my self-confidence has increased significantly. I started looking for opportunities I wouldn’t have dared to before,” Giorgios says. “That’s how I found a job back in Greece.”
He worked for five months. Then something even more significant happened: he decided to apply to university.
“I realised I wanted to study something that I am passionate about. Without ALMA, I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to do that.”
Beyond Statistics: The Heart of ALMA
ALMA is about more than numbers. Its true impact can’t be measured by CV updates or certificates alone. It lives in quiet moments of bravery: navigating an unfamiliar city, learning to ask for help in a new language, finding unexpected friendships, and daring to dream again.
Across Europe, the ALMA initiative offers young people like Giorgios a second chance. Co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus Social Innovation+ initiative, ALMA offers not just opportunity but belief. Belief in potential, in progress, and people.
“This wasn’t just a pilot project,” says Anastasia. “It was a promise that Europe sees its young people, that it cares, and that we can build something better together.”
“I think the main word here is inclusion,” adds Dimitris. “We chose to implement ALMA in the region of north-eastern Greece, where many young people are struggling. Through this initiative, we were able to include them and create an easier entry to the labour or education market.”
A Message for Those Still Searching
Inspired by his experience, Giorgios has a message for other young people in similar situations: “This is an excellent initiative for young people looking to experience what it’s like working and living abroad in another country,” he says. “You will learn a lot and grow as a person.”
Today, Giorgios is no longer standing still. He’s moving forward with direction, confidence, and a deeper appreciation of what it means to be European.
He is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the ALMA initiative, which has transformed not only his outlook on employment and education but also his perspective on Europe itself.
“Through this experience, I realised just how many cultural differences exist among European countries, which made me appreciate living in Europe even more,” Giorgios explains. “We are all similar and different at the same time.”
Learn more: ALMA/GR project
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