Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve (ALMA) Initiative
The “Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve” (ALMA) initiative is a flagship action of the European Year of Youth 2022, launched by the European Commission. It aims to enhance the social inclusion and employability of disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, particularly those classified as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training), aged 15 to 29.
The main goal of ALMA is to improve the skills, knowledge, and experience of young participants, offering them the opportunity to experience the “European Idea” through international mobility. By engaging in cross-border learning and working experiences, participants can strengthen their potential for labour market integration and social inclusion, while also fostering a stronger sense of belonging to the European community.
Mobility lies at the heart of the ALMA approach, serving as a key tool for personal and professional development and increasing the employability prospects of young people.
Within the framework of the European initiative “Social Innovation+”, funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and focused on social experimentation, the European Commission has launched the competitive call for proposals “Aim–Learn–Master–Achieve – ALMA.”
This call supports the design and implementation of pilot mobility projects that will assist Member States in integrating the ALMA initiative into their national ESF+ programmes, promoting innovative approaches to youth inclusion, empowerment, and employability across Europe.
Greece participated for the first time, implementing the mobility pilot project “Move on with ALMA” to vulnerable groups of young people aged 18-29 not in employment, education and training (NEETs) residing in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, through small-scale cooperation and partnership that lays the foundations for future upscaling and transfer as a mainstream policy.
The aim of the project has been to enhance social inclusion by empowering young NEETs through transnational mobility. Young NEETs are promoted in employment by reinforcing their employability, improving both soft and technical skills and experiencing the European idea.
The evaluation confirmed that participation in the project significantly enhances soft skills. While the impact on employability may not be immediately visible, transnational mobility fosters deep personal development, enriching participants’ perceptions and attitudes. Beyond career guidance, it enhances adaptability, communication, intercultural competence and resilience – ultimately shaping their self-confidence, autonomy and perspective.
The pilot has been integrated into ALMA social innovation good practices and has been posted on the EU SIM (Social Innovation Match) platform https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/social-innovation-match/case-study/move-alma, a useful tool of the European Commission for exploring social innovation projects of the Member States and potential partners for collaborations in transnational partnerships.
For more information, please visit the relevant webpage of the Executive Structure ESPA Ministry of Labour and Social Security https://epiteliki-ergasias.gov.gr/index.php/en/home-front-end-services-english/