On 28–29 October 2026, the French partner, CDE Petra Patrimonia (CDE PP), hosted the second Steering Committee Meeting of the European project EmpoweerNEET at Le Générateur in Toulon, France.

Co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, EmpoweerNEET promotes the employability and socio-economic inclusion of people who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), supporting them in developing the skills and capacities needed to access employment and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

The meeting brought together representatives of the six partner organisations to review the project’s achievements and discuss the next stage of implementation.

A major milestone: 300 NEET beneficiaries reached

A key highlight of the meeting was the achievement of the project’s target of 300 unique NEET beneficiaries across the participating countries, reflecting the partnership’s progress in expanding access to training and capacity-building opportunities.

Expanding opportunities through cross-border cooperation

Partners discussed the upcoming launch of activities designed to connect learning with practical experience and new professional opportunities, including:

• Cross-border exchanges: Five NEET participants from each partner country will have the opportunity to take part in international exchanges, gaining exposure to different professional environments and sharing experiences with peers across the Mediterranean.
• Job-shadowing: Participants will benefit from two- to three-month placements within local social enterprises, offering practical exposure to workplace environments and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
• Entrepreneurship support: The project will support NEETs in developing and presenting their business ideas through mentoring, coaching, and participation in initiatives linked to the planned transnational fair.

These activities will provide participants with opportunities to broaden their experience, strengthen their professional capacities, and explore pathways towards employment and entrepreneurship.

The partners also discussed strengthening the project’s communication and outreach to ensure wider visibility of its activities and results and greater engagement with local stakeholders, particularly youth and women’s organisations.

The meeting reaffirmed the partnership’s commitment to advancing inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities through Mediterranean cooperation.

The partnership extends its appreciation to CDE Petra Patrimonia for hosting the meeting and to all partners for their continued commitment to the project’s objectives.

About EmpoweerNEET

EmpoweerNEET is a European cooperation project co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. It aims to empower people who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs) by strengthening their employability, entrepreneurial capacities, and access to opportunities in the labour market and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE).

Through training, mentoring, job-shadowing, and cross-border exchanges, the project seeks to create new pathways towards employment, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic inclusion.

About the EmpoweerNEET Partnership

The project brings together six organisations from across the Mediterranean:

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) – Palestine (Lead Partner).
• Fons Català de Cooperació al Desenvolupament – Spain.
• KMOP – Greece.
• Business Consultancy & Training Services (BCTS) – Lebanon.
• TCSE Network – Tunisia.
• CDE Petra Patrimonia – France.

Together, the partners combine their expertise and experience to promote inclusive and sustainable solutions for NEETs across the Mediterranean.

Disclaimer: This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of CDE Petra Patrimonia and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.