According to Confcommercio, unemployment is among the most pressing issues in Sicily: 11 years ago, the unemployed in Sicily were less than 14%, but from then until 2018, approximately 113,000 jobs were lost, causing the rate to rise to 21.5%. Of particular concern is the specific data on youth unemployment: in 2018, Sicilian youths not working amounted to 53.6%, meaning 1 out of 2 youths. This situation leads young Sicilians to leave their land, risking depopulation, especially in the most inland areas of the island. Between 2019 and 2021, the Associazione Don Bosco 2000 – Impresa Sociale, through the W.I.P. - Work In Progress project, conducted a total of 60 orientation and training courses to combat youth unemployment, offering training and employment opportunities to unemployed youths, young migrants in the area, women or men facing socio-economic difficulties, victims of violence, both Italians and foreigners. It is for these individuals that the third edition of the Work in Progress UPgrade project is born, which we support to create paths for social and occupational inclusion for 32 vulnerable people, including 25 migrants from the Special Reception Centers (CAS) and 7 NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) Italian youths facing fragility conditions in the Sicilian provinces of Enna, Catania, Ragusa, and Caltanissetta. We will implement 32 training and job orientation paths aimed at employment insertion through the activation of 5-month training internships in partner companies located in the Sicilian hinterland and various areas, including hospitality, linguistic and cultural mediation, social agriculture, catering, communication and graphic design, and public green maintenance. Each WIP path will focus on the needs of the individual participant and will respond to attitudes and skills already possessed by the person, which will be valued in the role they will undertake during the training path. Details: Location: 8 municipalities in the provinces of Enna, Catania, Ragusa, and Caltanissetta Association: Associazione Don Bosco 2000 – Impresa Sociale Beneficiaries: Migrants and disadvantaged youth Contribution: up to €100,000.00 Duration: April 2023 – March 2024
