ALMA Works: A European Model for Reaching and Empowering Vulnerable Young People

Across Europe, many young people who are not in employment, education or training face a combination of barriers that traditional measures often fail to reach. At the ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve) high-level event in Brussels, more than 150 policymakers, project operators, ALMA project participants, practitioners, and interested stakeholders came together to examine what the initiative has delivered so far and why interest in it continues to grow. Their shared message was clear: ALMA works because it provides the right support at the right moment in a young person’s life.

Addressing challenges other programmes struggle to reach

ALMA has been designed to support young people who are furthest from the labour market, including those with complex life histories or long periods of inactivity. Sessions throughout the event highlighted how many participants carry a mixture of low confidence, limited work experience, disrupted education, or social difficulties that cannot be addressed by short-term or fragmented interventions.

ALMA offers an alternative path by combining personalised guidance, structured preparation, a work-related learning experience abroad and ongoing follow-up. Stakeholders stressed that this continuity of support is essential. It allows participants to rebuild motivation, learn practical skills, and strengthen resilience. The interim results on the impact of the projects presented at the event showed that the majority of young people who completed all phases of an ALMA project moved into education, training or employment afterwards. This demonstrates that the programme reaches its target group effectively and achieves sustainable outcomes.

A European effort that delivers more than mobility

A central theme throughout the event was that ALMA is not a mobility scheme. Mobility is only one component within a wider journey of personal and professional development. Practitioners emphasised that the preparatory phase builds trust and stability, while the supported experience abroad exposes young people to new environments that help them see themselves differently. The follow-up phase ensures that the experience does not remain an isolated moment but becomes a stepping stone toward long-term goals.

Discussions also underlined the added value of ALMA as a European initiative. Cooperation across Member States has enabled common learning, the development of shared methodologies and a growing network of organisations committed to helping vulnerable young people. Several Member States have already launched or are preparing their own ALMA calls within ESF Plus, indicating strong interest in scaling the approach nationally.

Evidence that ALMA can grow and deliver wider impact

The event highlighted results from the 28 transnational ALMA projects funded at EU level. Together they supported 800 young people so far and created new partnerships between local authorities, civil society organisations and host companies across Europe. Project operators reported that participants often returned home with greater confidence, improved language and social skills, and a clearer sense of direction. Many also became more active in their communities and more willing to pursue training or employment opportunities they previously considered out of reach.

Stakeholders agreed that the initiative’s strength lies in its balance of structure and flexibility. ALMA sets a clear framework, yet allows project operators to tailor activities to national and local realities. This makes it suitable for diverse contexts and capable of supporting young people with very different needs.

A growing momentum for the future

By the end of the event, there was broad consensus that ALMA has created a working model for delivering meaningful change to young people who require intensive, hands-on support. The experiences shared in Brussels demonstrated that ALMA can be integrated into national systems, scaled in a sustainable way and aligned with broader EU efforts to strengthen social inclusion. As Member States look ahead to the next programming years, the message was that ALMA’s impact is both measurable and human. It transforms outlooks, strengthens communities and provides a proven pathway for reaching those who have disengaged from traditional opportunities. Its continued expansion across the EU would mean that many more young people receive the support they need to move forward with confidence and purpose.

Photos: Hadrien Duré