Our projects in Europe

2024 in Europe has been shaped by a complex environment, defined by multiple geopolitical, social, and economic challenges that have directly impacted people’s living conditions, especially those of the most vulnerable groups.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its consequences on energy costs and international stability have continued to generate uncertainty, indirectly affecting social policies across various EU Member States.

In this context, the European Union has reinforced its commitment to ecological and digital transitions through the development of the European Green Deal and the implementation of regulations on artificial intelligence and data protection.

However, these structural transformations have also created significant social challenges, particularly for young people, who continue to face difficulties in accessing employment, housing, and equitable educational opportunities.

The European Parliament elections held in June reflected an increase in political polarization, with a significant rise in far-right parties and narratives that run counter to the principles of social cohesion and inclusion.

This political climate has had repercussions on debates around migration policies, youth, and diversity, hindering progress in the areas of social rights and equity.

The major challenge and structural issue facing Spain—where the majority of our work in Europe takes place—is youth unemployment.

Spain has consistently topped the list of countries with the highest youth unemployment rates in Europe, far exceeding the EU average. The long-term impact of youth unemployment has multiple economic implications (loss of productivity, brain drain of both national and foreign talent) as well as social consequences that erode cohesion and social stability. These persistently high rates make it difficult for young people to become independent, delaying the age at which they leave the parental home. Moreover, this situation increases young people’s economic and social dependence on their families, triggering emotional strain and contributing to declining birth and fertility rates, which in turn leads to negative long-term socio-economic effects such as population ageing-

Through our projects in Europe, we intervene in educational settings and support young people—mostly from vulnerable backgrounds—on their educational, social, and professional development journeys, improving their employability through career guidance and socio-emotional support.
We work with young people enrolled in the Youth Guarantee scheme, Vocational Training, and Primary and Secondary Education, always in close coordination with the actions and initiatives already carried out by their educational institutions. In this way, we help students identify their vocations, learn about a wider range of opportunities and resources to find employment or continue their studies, while providing information that facilitates decision-making and the development of social skills.

Our youth employability projects combine three key components:

• Vocational and career guidance, accompanying students as they explore their vocational interests while improving their knowledge of the labour market and educational pathways.
• Soft skills development with a socio-emotional focus, helping young people enhance their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and their ability to understand and regulate their emotions.
• Connection with their environment, enabling students to discover and access available local resources, including businesses, public institutions, and professionals from their areas of vocational interest.

• 2,882 children and adolescents attend school regularly compared to pre-programme levels.
• 1,022 people have gained access to employment.