Educated but Excluded

The project targets Generation Z, aged 15–29, living in the regions covered by the project: Poland, Greece, and Italy. Participants include secondary school students, high school or post-secondary graduates, and university students who do not have permanent full-time employment lasting longer than six months. However, part-time, short-term, or casual workers are also eligible. The project focuses on individuals seeking employment, including those registered as unemployed or economically inactive, as well as students preparing to enter the labor market. Participation is voluntary and requires an interest in developing soft skills and improving employability.

To better understand the barriers and needs of participants, the target group has been divided into subgroups based on education, social context, personal status, and work experience. Regarding education, the level of formal education includes secondary schools (general, technical, vocational), post-secondary schools and vocational courses, as well as higher education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). The field of study includes humanities, social sciences, technical, STEM, natural sciences, and arts, which allows for the analysis of skills mismatch between education and labor market requirements. Social context considers place of residence, distinguishing between large cities, small towns, and rural areas, and socio-economic status, comparing families with stable financial and social capital to those with limited material and cultural resources. Personal status takes into account gender differences, migration experience, and health and ability, including non-migrants, migrants, returnees, fully able youth, and youth with disabilities requiring additional support. Work experience is considered based on the time since completion of formal education, including students still in education, graduates up to one year after graduation, two to five years after graduation, and more than five years after graduation.
Denmark plays a special role in the project as a partner providing support, from which we aim to learn best practices and effective methods for assisting young people entering the labor market. This subgroup division enables precise adaptation of project activities, a thorough analysis of diverse barriers, and the development of practical solutions for different segments of young people entering the labor market in the three partner countries.

The project “Educated but Excluded” addresses the challenges faced by young people entering the labor market in Poland, Greece, and Italy, despite completing formal education. It focuses particularly on Generation Z (ages 15–29), who are just entering professional life and experience significant barriers to obtaining stable employment.

The main objectives of the project are:
To increase young people’s opportunities for effective entry into the labor market in Poland, Greece, and Italy.
To raise social and institutional awareness of the obstacles faced by young graduates.

Participants include secondary school students, high school graduates, and university students who do not have permanent full-time employment lasting longer than six months. Individuals working part-time, on short-term contracts, or casually are also eligible. Participants are expected to be interested in developing soft skills and better preparing for employment.
The project will investigate barriers to labor market entry, present local initiatives, and propose practical solutions. Special attention is given to Generation Z, due to their specific needs, expectations, and ways of functioning in the workplace, which allows for tailored educational methods and interventions and maximizes the project’s impact.
Planned activities include workshops, debates, skill-building sessions, and international exchanges, aimed at improving employability and social inclusion. The project also promotes cross-cultural cooperation and knowledge exchange among participating countries.
Additionally, we aim to cooperate with Denmark, which has effective systems supporting young people’s entry into the labor market. We intend to learn from their best practices and apply them in our partner countries.