On 23–24 March, the CDE Petra Patrimonia cooperative, a partner in the EmpoweerNEET project, participated in the 20th meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform on Labour and Employment in Valencia. The event brought together key players from the Euro-Mediterranean region to discuss strategies for inclusive and sustainable employment.

On 23 March, during a session on the Interreg NEXT MED Programme’s impact on employment policies, Petra Patrimonia highlighted achievements from the RESMYLE project. This initiative helped develop green skills among Mediterranean youth through the ENI CBC MED programme, running until October 2023. They also introduced EmpoweerNEET’s goals, focusing on integrating youth distant from the labor market into the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE).

The discussion stressed the SSE’s role in fostering social inclusion and creating job opportunities for young people in the Mediterranean. These insights reached a high-level audience, including representatives from UfM member states’ Ministries of Employment, the European Commission, and key socio-economic stakeholders, such as trade unions and employer networks.

On 24 March, the delegation engaged in field visits across Valencia. They gained valuable insights into innovative practices that support vulnerable groups in the labor market. These visits directly related to the EmpoweerNEET project, focusing on youth training, social inclusion, and second-chance education. Special thanks go to Jovesolides, Iniciatives Solidàries, and Fundación Adsis for their inspiring work. The Second Chance Schools model emerged as a particularly promising approach for EmpoweerNEET partner territories.