Dr. Peri Kourakli European Projects and Youth Policy
Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014
[email protected]
TRANSFORMING YOUTH POLICY Policy analysis, learning network and
action development tools for managers and projects My Generation
11/2008-08/2011 Antwerp| Belgium, Birmingham|UK, Gdansk|Poland,
Glasgow|UK, Gothenburg|Sweden, Patras|Greece, Riga|Latvia,
Rotterdam|Netherlands, Valencia|Spain, Warsaw|Poland, Tirgu-
Mures|Romania Why?
Kick-off workshop with Youth Employment Stakeholders Create
hybrid spaces for organizing creative workshops & ideas - best
practices exchange Encourage young people through information
dissemination so to create constructive - interactive dialogue
Promote internships focusing on the active involvement of
educational institutions and businesses Networking between youth
and local organizations to promote youth entrepreneurship Cohesion
and coherence between theory and practice Networking between urban
and rural communities Promote better networking and dissemination
on entrepreneurship through Thessaloniki- EYC 2014
Thessaloniki
Municipality of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki- European Youth
Capital 2014 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki- Employment and
Career Structure (AUTh) Alexander Technological Educational
Institute of Thessaloniki - Innovations & Entrepreneurs Unit
(ATEI) Educational Group Ksini Greek International Business
Association (SEVE) Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(TCCI) Center for the Support of Employment and Entrepreneurship of
Women Ergani Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Thessaloniki
Association of Young Farmers of Thessaloniki Creativity Platform
Individual young entrepreneurs Who?
Develop a network of different - relevant players Busy
volunteers representing important bodies Mistrust to the
Municipality Heavy administration processes Setting long term
targets during the preparation phase Local challenges?
GETTING THE INNOVATION SPIRAL WORKING: Social Innovation Pilots
= GO FOR IT! How? The starting point/problem/challenge of your
MGatWork project Ideas how to solve the challenge in your city
GFIs, Pilots, experiments leading to prototypes of a new service
Consolidating the new service into practice (into Local Action
Plans) Diffusing the new service model broader Changing the whole
concept/work culture of the service
Thessaloniki Go For it!! Survival Guide for Youth Employment
Structure of the Guide Looking for a position as an employee or
partner Creating something on my own Relevant events in the city -
region Outcome An useful tool for communicating essential messages
bases for mentoring
Thessaloniki Go For it!! E- Survey on Youth Entrepreneurship
Topics of the Survey Mapping Youth Entrepreneurship in Thessaloniki
Proposals for the Local Action Plan Methods Cooperation with
Aristotle University Use surveymonkey for a broader sample Forward
the survey to our contacts Outcome A much better picture on the
Youth Entrepreneurship based on real data
Thessaloniki Go For it!! OBVIOUS Content OBtaining working
experience through Volunteerism. Volunteers Supporting people who
are affected by the financial crisis Methods Make use of the social
structures (Social Grocery) of the Municipality to train
specialized young people- Informal learning Outcome Support these
structures while training youngsters
Thessaloniki Go For it!! CRUNCH Content Define and promote the
creative opportunities for a youngster or for a youth group Methods
Monthly, we have brunch while discussing the different financial
tools and opportunities Outcome Network among the creative society
Support for individuals
Thessaloniki Go For it!! Business Idea Contest: to bizz or not
to bizz Methods Presentation of business ideas to experts -
Consultation Presentation to an open group - Contest Outcome The
best ideas will be supported my mentors and consultants so to be
realized in a second stage
Thessaloniki Go For it!! Youth Entrepreneurship Festival
Methods Workshops and exhibitors with pavilions, special events,
contests Outcome Promote and support local youth
entrepreneurship
You - Ark Local Action Plan for Youth Entrepreneurship
Focus and key content Space: located mainly in the centre of
Thessaloniki Depth: umbrella for activities connected with youth or
with entrepreneurship Time: short-term and medium or long- term
actions
Key Actions (PROPOSALS) 1. Entrepreneurship Consultative Unit
2. Center of Creativity Economy 3. Twinning of all the consultation
units 4. Enhancement, communication and promotion of local
initiatives 5. Observatory for Vocational Guidance
Lessons Learnt so far Strong players in the city The role of
the municipality is crucial (bridge & umbrella) Cooperation
& sharing are more than necessary as Thessaloniki is not the
only city with this issue. Solutions can be found working in
networks (locally- internationally) URBACTII is a program with
innovative well- structured tools; being wrong is not a problem,
testing and strategic planning is the key issues The local
administration processes & bureaucracy are often a problem (eg.
gaps in the national legislation, misinformed or narrow-minded
civil servants) The profile of the young unemployed person