One of the most important stages of Empower Emerge was finding the right target group. The project is aimed at NEET youth (aged 15–29) who are currently not in employment, education, or training. At first glance, it might seem that there are many such young people in Lithuania, but in reality, reaching and engaging them is not so simple.
Main challenges
- Invisibility – many NEET young people are not registered with any institutions, do not attend youth centers, and are not involved in organized activities, which makes them difficult to reach through official channels.
- Lack of motivation – even after identifying potential participants, convincing them that the project could be useful is a challenge. Some young people are skeptical about training or organized activities.
- Social difficulties – some face financial hardship, complicated family circumstances, or other personal issues that prevent them from engaging in longer-term programs.
- Lack of trust – often, it takes time until young people are convinced that the project is genuinely there to help them, not just to “fill their time.”
Our solutions
- To reach young people, we work with the Employment Service, youth centers, and NGOs working with young people. The largest number of participants were invited through the Employment Service – their specialists reached out to NEET youth registered in their system, and we presented the program to them. To make it sound more approachable, instead of using the word project, we used the word camp, which is more familiar and relatable to young people.
- We also used traditional methods – posters and leaflets – as well as social media, which proved to be an effective tool for reaching young people more quickly.
- We use our training and leisure park as an “engagement space” – a place where young people initially come for fun or sports and later naturally get involved in the wider project activities.
- We offer practical value – activities that immediately provide emotions, experiences, and a sense of community, so that young people can see the benefit of participation right away.
Why is this important?
These challenges only highlighted why the project is so necessary – the young people who are the hardest to reach are often those who benefit the most from support, mentoring, and opportunities for growth. This motivates us to keep looking for new ways to connect with youth and to create an environment where they feel welcomed and included.
