The EmpoweerNEET project has officially launched, marking a new step in strengthening youth employability, social inclusion, and sustainable economic opportunities across the Mediterranean region. Funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, the project targets young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs) by providing practical skills development, entrepreneurship pathways, and real-world work experience.

Implemented over 30 months, EmpoweerNEET addresses youth unemployment through inclusive, place-based solutions with a strong focus on the Social and Solidarity Economy, green and future-oriented skills, and social and youth entrepreneurship. The project will deliver tangible results, including the development of modular training programmes, the training of 300 NEET youth, support to youth-led start-ups, job-shadowing and exchange opportunities, and the strengthening of local ecosystems through sustainable financing strategies and policy recommendations.

The project was officially launched during the Kickoff Meeting held in Barcelona on 21–22 January 2026, bringing together partners from Palestine, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Tunisia, and France. The meeting ensured alignment on implementation, coordination, and pilot actions, while reinforcing Mediterranean cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Through its multidisciplinary partnership led by An-Najah National University, EmpoweerNEET aims to empower young people with market-relevant and green skills, support youth-led social and green enterprises, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable local development across Mediterranean regions.