Salesian Past Pupils National Federations across 5 countries launch project to address youth unemployment

(MissionNewswire) Salesian Past Pupils National Federations from Malta, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary and Spain met in Rome in December to launch the “Digital Divide and Supporting Unemployed Young People” project. This project is financed by Erasmus+, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Past pupils will create a training program for unemployed youth with the goal to support them in accessing jobs.

The project will include online training for youth workers and Salesian staff in the five countries, an in-person training course for Salesian staff in Malta, the development and pilot testing of five courses for youth in each participating country, a transnational meeting in Budapest, and an evaluation of the project led by Spain.

Bryan Magro, president of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco, is coordinating the project. He stated, “This is another initiative that is helping the past pupils’ movement to fulfill its Salesian mission to work with the youth, especially those who are unemployed and require support to access jobs.”

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and health care.

Poverty rose sharply in 2020 to its highest level in 15 years as the COVID-19 crisis brought economic challenges for much of the country. Close to 5.6 million people or 9.4 percent of the population are living in absolute poverty unable to buy goods or services to achieve a minimally acceptable standard of living, according to the World Bank. This number includes 1.3 million minors.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Italy – Past Pupils start new Erasmus+ Project on Digital Divide and Supporting Unemployed Young People

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy