NEW OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH YOUTH MOBILITY

YouMo – Unlocking opportunities by supporting youth mobility

Many young people between the ages of 15 and 30 face the challenge that spatial mobility – for example, for education, training, or work outside their hometown – is associated with uncertainty, a lack of information, and various social barriers. Young people in disadvantaged circumstances, in particular, have limited access to educational and employment opportunities outside their immediate environment. This directly impacts their career prospects, their self-determination, and their future outlook.

This is where the Erasmus+ project YouMo comes in: The project aims to enable young people to understand mobility as a realistic option, to make reflective decisions and to actively overcome obstacles.

The project goal

YouMo aims to strengthen the employability and self-determination of disadvantaged young people aged 15 to 30. The project supports young people in recognizing their own opportunities and limitations in the context of mobility, weighing up options, and confidently shaping their career paths.

From October 2025 to September 2027, YouMo will be implemented in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Ireland. Through the collaboration of international partner organizations, a practical and inclusive training concept is being developed that takes into account different national perspectives and requirements.

The project design

Development of needs-based learning modules

The focus is on developing needs-based learning modules on the topic of mobility in the context of education and work. These modules are designed to support young people in recognizing the opportunities offered by mobility, overcoming obstacles, and gaining confidence in their own abilities. In addition, training guides are being developed that offer educators, trainers, and youth workers practical tools for supporting and motivating young people.

Pilot workshops and practical testing

The learning program follows an informal, practical, and flexible blended learning approach, combining online and in-person phases. Its development is based on literature research and interviews with experts and young people from diverse social backgrounds. Pilot workshops are being conducted in all partner countries to test the modules and adapt them to the respective national contexts.

Needs analysis and digital training program

The project results comprise four national needs assessments and a transnational report (in English, German, and Slovenian). Based on these, a five-module digital training program will be developed, tailored to the needs of disadvantaged young people and their trainers. Following the pilot phase, the experiences will be evaluated and published in a comprehensive results report.

Impact and sustainable anchoring

In the long term, YouMo aims to help more young people seize their career opportunities – regardless of their origin, gender, or social status. Through practical materials, cooperation, and exchange, the project strengthens not only individual skills but also social participation and equal opportunities in European youth and education work.

The partnership

YouMo is an Erasmus+ project implemented jointly by four European partner organizations:

ÖSB Social Innovation GmbH (Austria) Project Management

Ballymun Job Center Co-operative Society Limited (Ireland)

Andragoški zavod Ljudska univerza Velenje (Slovenia)

Association of Kolping Houses e. V. (Germany)

ÖSB Social Innovation GmbH

ÖSB Social Innovation GmbH specializes in conducting studies and providing consulting services in the areas of social affairs, employment, education, EU structural funds, and the monitoring of labor market, education, and consulting projects. ÖSB Social Innovation's clients include government agencies, public employment services, non-profit organizations, international organizations, and companies. In addition to its focus on the labor market, ÖSB Social Innovation is deeply committed to promoting social innovation and strives to address the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups through innovative strategies and the implementation of projects at the national and international levels. Its core activities include innovative approaches to education and vocational training, collaboration with research and institutional partners to support policy and practice, and the active involvement of communities to ensure that projects meet the needs of the target groups.

Ballymun Job Center Co-operative Society Limited (Ireland)

The Ballymun Job Centre Co-op Society Limited (BJC) is a non-profit organization in Ballymun that provides job placement, career guidance, education, and training to unemployed people in the region who are disadvantaged in the labor market. Its aim is to expand people's job market options, improve their employability and income, and reduce their vulnerability to poverty by providing access to quality jobs.

With a customer-centric approach, BJC develops innovative initiatives addressing a wide range of barriers to employment, such as low levels of education and skills, long-term unemployment, low self-esteem, reliance on social assistance, school dropout, disabilities, and mental health issues. The organization works closely with public, private, European, and municipal partners at the local and regional levels to offer a broad range of support services that help people overcome these barriers and find sustainable employment.

Andragoški zavod Ljudska univerza Velenje (Slovenia)

Ljudska univerza Velenje (LUV) was founded in 1959 and is a public, non-profit adult education institution that provides education and support for various target groups. LUV actively participates in the regional community by improving the educational infrastructure, motivating and informing community members, and integrating them into formal and non-formal education programs. These programs are aimed at adults and young people and include, among others, primary school for adults (youth), vocational and technical secondary education, language and ICT courses for diverse target groups (NEETs, the business sector, senior citizens), labor market-oriented measures, social activation programs, digital literacy, training courses, workshops, and national and international projects.

Association of Kolping Houses (Germany)

The Association of Kolping Houses (VKH) is an alliance of over 130 Kolping Houses throughout Germany, headquartered in Cologne. These include traditional community centers, hotels, dormitories for apprentices and young people, and family holiday centers. The VKH offers its members a wide range of information and advisory services. Together, they strengthen the social mission of the Kolping Houses and their long-standing partnership with tradespeople and journeymen, ensuring this commitment to the common good continues into the future. The dormitories for apprentices and young people provide young people in vocational training with accommodation, meals, and socio-educational support. Approximately 35 Kolping youth and apprentice dormitories, with around 4.000 beds, offer accommodation for young people with or without educational support.

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the OeAD-GmbH can be held responsible for them.