Dr. Peri Kourakli European Projects and Youth Policy Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 p.kourakli@thessaloniki2014.gr

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

Antwerp| Belgium Braga| Portugal Gdansk|Poland Glasgow|UK Maribor| Slovenia Riga|Latvia Rotterdam| Netherlands Tampere| Finland Torino| Italy Thessaloniki| Greece Valencia|Spain Warsaw|Poland 05/2012- 10/2012 02/2013 - 04/2015 When? Who?

Where?

Who/ Locally?

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

http://urbact.eu/en/projects/active-inclusion/my-generation-at-work/homepage/