The Path to Employability Part I: Empowering Local NGOs Working with Refugees and Migrants

Inclusive Youth Information Award category

The Path to Employability Part I: Empowering Local NGOs Working with Refugees and Migrants

Title of the Project

The Path to Employability Part I: Empowering Local NGOs Working with Refugees and Migrants

Organisation

Eskişehir Governorship - European Union and Foreign Relations Office

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/abprojeofisi

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/abprojeofisi

Project dates

2023-01-01

2025-01-01

What is it about?

Our project aimed to enhance the employability of refugee and migrant youth aged 18-25 while supporting their social and cultural integration at the local level.

Main Objectives:

The project focused on removing barriers preventing disadvantaged refugee and migrant youth from participating in the labour market. We sought to strengthen their local integration into health, education, cultural, social, and legal systems while raising awareness about the challenges they face in host communities.

Target Audience:

Our primary target group was refugee and migrant youth (18-25 years old), alongside youth workers, local NGOs working directly with refugees and migrants, and host communities that needed to be informed about integration processes.

Activities Undertaken:

We implemented comprehensive vocational training workshops including:

Business and Entrepreneurship: Micro-entrepreneurship, cooperative formation, CV preparation, and interview techniques
Vocational and Technical Skills: Perfume design, ceramic and tile craftsmanship, culinary arts, and photography
Service Sector: Car washing, dry cleaning, and pastry, bread making
Cultural Socialisation: Sivrihisar District Culture and History Workshop

Additionally, we conducted institutional visits to Gaziantep University Migration Institute, ESOGÜ, local municipalities, governorship offices, and education directorates to strengthen partnerships.

Methods:

Our approach was participatory and skills-based, ensuring hands-on learning experiences. We established partnerships with universities and public institutions to provide quality resources and expertise. The project emphasised practical skill development directly linked to employment opportunities.

Impact:

411 refugee and migrant youth directly participated in workshops
1,828 people reached through awareness-raising activities (including 295 public employees and 300 university students)
822 people reached through dissemination activities.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

Our project directly addresses the core principles of inclusive youth information by targeting one of Europe’s most marginalised and underrepresented groups: refugee and migrant youth aged 18–25.

Reaching Marginalised Groups:
We specifically focused on young people with fewer opportunities who face multiple barriers, including language difficulties, limited social networks, uncertain legal status, and lack of familiarity with local systems. Many participants had never heard of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps before our project, making them precisely the underrepresented group this award category seeks to recognise.

Ensuring Accessibility:
Accessibility was embedded in our project design through:

Language support: providing information in multiple languages and using visual learning methods

Free participation: all workshops were offered at no cost, removing financial barriers

Flexible scheduling: activities were organised with participants’ work and family obligations in mind

Local outreach: partnering with municipalities and NGOs to reach youth in their communities

Diverse skill offerings: providing various vocational options to match different interests and abilities

Tailored Approaches:
We recognised that refugee and migrant youth have unique needs. Our workshops combined practical skill development with cultural orientation and social integration activities. The Sivrihisar Culture and History Workshop, for example, helped participants understand and connect with their host community.

Measurable Inclusion Impact:
The project successfully engaged 411 individuals who had limited previous access to vocational training or information about European opportunities. By reaching out to youth who might never enter traditional information channels, we demonstrated innovative inclusive practices. Our partnership approach—working with universities, municipalities, and the governorship—ensured sustainability and created pathways for continued support beyond the project period. This project proves that, with intentional design, adequate resources, and committed partnerships, youth information services can effectively reach and serve those who need them most.

What was the impact of the project?

Our project created measurable and transformative impact at both individual and community levels.

Direct Impact on Young People:

The 411 refugee and migrant youth who participated in our workshops gained:

Employability Skills: Practical vocational training directly linked to local job market needs, including entrepreneurship, culinary arts, craftsmanship, and service sector skills

Confidence and Self-Efficacy: Many participants reported increased confidence in their abilities and future prospects after completing workshops

Professional Networks: Connections with local businesses, institutions, and potential employers through our institutional partnerships

Cultural Integration: Better understanding of local systems, customs, and opportunities through cultural workshops and community engagement activities

Several participants successfully started small businesses or secured employment in their trained fields, demonstrating tangible economic impact.

Community-Level Impact:

Our awareness-raising activities reached 1,828 people, including:

295 public employees who gained understanding of refugee/migrant integration challenges and developed more culturally sensitive approaches in their work

300 university students who learned about migration issues and volunteered to support future integration activities

Local business owners who became more open to hiring refugee and migrant youth after understanding their skills and potential

Institutional Impact:

The project strengthened collaboration between the governorship, universities (Gaziantep University Migration Institute, ESOGÜ), municipalities, and local NGOs. These partnerships continue beyond the project, creating sustainable support structures for refugee and migrant integration.

Changing Narratives:

By showcasing the talents, aspirations, and contributions of refugee and migrant youth, we helped shift community perceptions from viewing them solely as beneficiaries to recognising them as valuable community members with skills and potential.

Long-term Sustainability:

The capacity building among local NGOs and institutions ensures continued support for future cohorts of refugee and migrant youth, multiplying the project’s impact far beyond its direct participants.

Did the project have any green focus?

Yes, environmental sustainability was integrated into our project implementation. We prioritised eco-friendly measures throughout:

Digital communication:
We minimised paper use by utilising digital platforms for registration, information dissemination, and certificate distribution, significantly reducing our environmental footprint.

Local sourcing:
Workshop materials were sourced locally whenever possible, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local suppliers. For the culinary and bread-making workshops, we emphasised using seasonal, locally-produced ingredients.

Sustainable practices training:
In our entrepreneurship workshops, we included modules on sustainable business practices, teaching participants about eco-friendly approaches to small business operations.

Reusable materials:
Workshop supplies were chosen for durability and reusability rather than single-use items.

Public transportation encouragement:
We selected venues accessible by public transportation and provided participants with information about sustainable travel options.

These measures not only reduced our environmental impact but also raised awareness among participants about the importance of sustainability in their professional and personal lives.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

Eurodesk’s visibility was integrated throughout all project phases. The Eurodesk logo was prominently displayed on workshop banners and digital communications. During institutional visits and workshop sessions, we actively promoted Eurodesk’s mission and the European mobility opportunities available to young people. Information about Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes was disseminated to all participants through dedicated information sessions. Project documentation, social media posts, and our final report highlighted Eurodesk’s role as a key partner in providing youth information services. All communication materials referenced Eurodesk Turkey and its commitment to supporting youth access to European opportunities.

Inclusive Youth Information Award category