EU4Youth programme: better digital skills, innovative social enterprises, and a stronger path to the future for over 10,000 young people

Over the past four years, the EU4Youth Phase III: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme has been a driving force in supporting young people across the Eastern Partnership region. Thousands of youth from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have been equipped with the skills, mentorship, and resources they need to build careers, start businesses, and bring positive change in their communities. Across the Eastern Partnership, young people share many common needs, which is why the EU4Youth programme adopted a unified approach, offering mentorship, training, and support to help them develop skills, launch initiatives, and make a real impact in their communities. At the same time, the programme was tailored to the specific social and political context of each country, ensuring that its interventions addressed local realities effectively.

Moldova – turning youth potential into action for a stronger European future

Through regional grant projects, these young people gained practical knowledge and financial support, turning ideas into tangible initiatives. In Moldova, more than 1,900 young people, particularly girls and those from vulnerable backgrounds, joined entrepreneurship and skills development projects. They launched businesses, gained access to career guidance, and strengthened their digital and entrepreneurial know-how. These initiatives also helped young Moldovans connect to the labour market at home rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

“The results of the projects implemented with the support of the EU4Youth programme are still tangible today, because young people are empowered and have found jobs based on the knowledge they have acquired. And I believe that such projects are necessary to further support young people and contribute to the development of a nation and professionally active citizens.”, said Alexandra Isaicul, project coordinator at MilleniuM Training and Development Institute.

Georgia – building a new generation of social and digital entrepreneurs

In Georgia, over 2,300 young people benefited from training in digital skills, green initiatives, and social entrepreneurship. Around 1,500 participants engaged in entrepreneurship-focused activities, with many successfully launching their own enterprises – a clear demonstration of how targeted support can transform potential into real-world impact.

“We aim to continue our support to people-to-people contacts and networks for young people in the EU and neighbouring countries to foster mutual respect, understanding and open and democratic societies. This is in line with our European Neighbourhood policy’s main goal, which is to help make partner countries places where people want to build their future, to create a space of prosperity, stability and security for all. And all this is based on the core values of the EU – democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights.”, emphasised Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Georgia.

Armenia – confidence through social entrepreneurship

In Armenia, more than 1,700 young people engaged in social entrepreneurship, professional training, and mentorship programmes. Through student-led social enterprises, youth learned to address community challenges, generate income, and gain hands-on experience, building confidence and teamwork skills that will serve them throughout their careers. A key driver of this progress has been the “Student Social Entrepreneurship” Club Program (Grades 8–12), an extracurricular initiative developed by one of the projects approved by the Ministry of Education. Complementing this, a Trainer’s Manual on Social Entrepreneurship was developed as a comprehensive resource for educators and facilitators, equipping them to cover all core topics needed for effective training and education.

Davit Avagyan, representative of the EU Delegation to Armenia: “Youth-focused initiatives are among the European Union’s strategic priorities. This particular initiative exemplifies the EU’s continued commitment to supporting youth, with a strong emphasis on fostering their economic development and promoting social inclusion.”

Ukraine – youth resilience and innovation

In Ukraine, despite the hardships of war, young people have shown extraordinary resilience. With EU4Youth support, they launched more than 20 social enterprises ranging from kindergartens and cultural hubs to research labs and print shops. Veterans and internally displaced persons set up at least ten of these businesses, offering not just jobs but also safe spaces for cultural, educational, and environmental activities. Beyond entrepreneurship, the programme also invested in social inclusion: 370 young professionals in psychology, pedagogy, and social work were trained, with 82 already employed as personal assistants for persons with disabilities. Such initiatives encourage young Ukrainians to remain connected to their communities and contribute to national recovery. Complementing these efforts, the “Create Ukraine” project invites change-makers – young Ukrainians with valuable international experience – back to their homeland, to apply their skills in building a robust economic system, implementing vital reforms, and addressing the challenges posed by war.

Therefore, the phasing-out event of EU4Youth in Ukraine, held in Kyiv on 23 September, brings together representatives of government, civil society, social entrepreneurs, and international partners. The event highlights the sustainable impact of the programme, showing how social entrepreneurship and youth engagement are already making a visible contribution to Ukraine’s recovery – and how this momentum can be scaled further.