Līva Dārziņa participated in the Training Course “The NEET Challenge” organized by PROJUVEN in Torremolinos, Spain
Hello Līva! Can you give us your opinion about the project “The NEET Challenge“? According to you, what support works best for young people at risk of becoming NEET?
Risk of becoming a NEET depends mostly on social factors, such as the environment in family, schools, friends, economical aspects and job market perspectives. Speaking of people, which might become possible NEET, it is great responsibility from society, administrative organs and non-governmental organizations to create tools for motivating young people to become goal oriented and to help to set them targets towards successful life opportunities.
During the training course we have discussed several possible options, however in my opinion, I would like to emphasize the importance of the EU and member countries to dedicate specific amount of budget for governmental agencies, which would work on education in more alternative ways to break the stereotypes, inspiration to create big goals, encourage equality and would create growth mindset already in the primary schools. Education is very important, it just need to be adjusted to this century, when the digital options are almost unlimited and might seem more entertaining. Thus, as supporting tool digital platforms can be used, which would bring together young people followed by live meetings and activities. I think it is not easy to get NEETs outside their comfort zone, however once it is done, all what has to be done is keep them in loop, because I believe that everyone deep inside needs a supportive, inspirational collective.
What is the most important thing you have learned during the training? How do you plan to share and use your knowledge?
For me as a statistics-oriented person, the most surprising thing was the data about NEETs in the different EU countries. The differences of the percentage of NEETs between Nordic and the rest of the Europe was quite high, thus for me the most valuable method was the discussions between members from different EU countries to understand the reasons, which stands behind this. I have learned a lot about different governmental priorities, budget plans and different stereotypes still existing in rural areas. By discussing this we have created several ideas on how to minimize the risk of people becoming NEETs and possible options, how to implement them in our countries.
My everyday life consists of being involved in the youth organization “Go Beyond”, which has a leadership program based on social values for 18–23-year-old young people. As the training course has been beneficial for exploring more about the NEET situation, the information will be shared in the management group, and we will discuss possible implementation within up-coming projects. Moreover, I will continue to work with law studies, where one of the great research topics will be legal aspects of the NEET situation in the EU.
