YEPP Europe supports social inclusion of disadvantaged groups through youth and community empowerment, collaboration, local partnerships and community-based entrepreneurship.

ROMA

Since 2010 YEPP Europe is involved in supporting the YEPP Local Site Kecerovce-Olšava, which is composed of 4 villages Rankovce, Kecerovce, Boliarov and Vtáčkovce in the East of Slovakia and in which 90% of the population is Roma. In these villages living conditions are difficult and the population suffers from severe poverty, segregation and discrimination.

Nevertheless, the local partner, the Association for a Better Life, has been working with the “YEPP” approach and methodology for many years and has been very successful in mobilizing the community, in working with young people and in trying to improve the opportunities for young people. More recently, they tried to face some of the challenges through a community-based entrepreneurial approach. A series of projects have been developed and implemented contributing to social change and the further empowerment of the community and its young people.

Some of the projects in the YEPP Local Site Kecerovce-Olšava:

Ecobriquettes

Rocks

Wallpainting

MIGRANTS & REFUGEES

Given the recent developments in Europe, shaken by the refugee crisis since 2015, we want to build inclusive communities based on interaction, collaboration and dialogue of newcomers and local population to counteract protectionism, hostility and xenophobia. Since 2017, we have extended our target group to young migrants. We define them as foreign-born or foreign nationals who came to live or settle in a country of destination, which includes asylum seekers and refugees.  

In our new project “Welcomeship! Building inclusive communities through community-based entrepreneurship”, we are developing a model of community-based entrepreneurship learning for young migrants together with local young people as a tool of inclusion. The “Welcomeship!” model combines four pillars:

1. Opening Minds & Doors: building trust, overcoming prejudices and fears and fostering the welcome culture in the local community through joint activities,
2. Community-Based Entrepreneurship Learning: strengthening young people’s entrepreneurial skills addressing issues of the community,
3. Action & Community Partnerships: building partnerships to implement entrepreneurial projects and mobilising local resources,
4. Advocacy for Inclusive Communities: disseminating the working approach and positive examples at the local, national and EU level through online solutions and face-to-face meetings.

The model of community-based entrepreneurship learning is based on non-formal learning methods. The aspect of collaboration between the residents and newcomers closes the gap and fosters community spirit as an overarching goal. Local youth and young migrants develop entrepreneurial ideas which address community issues and build partnerships with stakeholders to bring about positive change to the local communities. This collaboration is intended to lead to openness, tolerance and an atmosphere of togetherness – to an inclusive community.