Empowering NEETs through Mobility: The Role of the ALMA Network

‘The ALMA initiative uses mobility as a powerful tool for active social inclusion, providing equal opportunities to NEETs, who are often excluded from other mobility schemes. Its social–pedagogical approach ensures that participants receive comprehensive support to access the labour market—before, during, and after their placements abroad’, highlighted Astrid Heesch, Thematic Expert for the ALMA Network.

By involving Member States and regions, ALMA not only strengthens intercultural skills and adaptability, but also empowers vulnerable NEETs to access employment and training opportunities in their home countries. This holistic support system builds resilience and opens new pathways for NEETs across Europe.

Enhancing Transnational Mobility in ALMA: Lessons, Challenges, and Collaborative Solutions

Transnational mobility experiences are essential to ALMA projects. ALMA is inherently a practical approach to social inclusion, using mobility as a tool designed to equip participants with a new set of social and professional skills. The programme enables young, vulnerable NEETs to leave their home environments and spend time in a host country within Europe, fostering both personal and professional development through work-related learning experiences abroad.

These mobility experiences lie at the heart of the programme’s objectives and have proven highly effective in previous ALMA initiatives. However, even with ALMA’s successful track record, there is always scope for improvement to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful. Key areas for potential enhancement include:

• Exchanging best practices: Facilitating the sharing of solutions to emerging questions during the design and drafting of calls among Member States and regions that are currently implementing, have previously implemented, or are planning to implement ALMA projects.
• Adapting approaches to local contexts: Tailoring mobility experiences to address the specific needs and circumstances of each participating country or region.
• Improving outreach: Enhancing strategies to identify and engage suitable participants, particularly those who face barriers to participation.
• Strengthening preparation, mobility, and follow-up: Developing more effective tools and methods to support participants before, during, and after their mobility experiences.
• Fostering knowledge exchange: Promoting regular discussions and information-sharing among ALMA Network members to identify good practices, tackle challenges, and continuously refine the programme.

For ALMA Network members, these discussions and improvements are crucial. They ensure the programme continues to evolve to meet emerging needs, maintaining both its high quality and relevance. Collaboration and shared learning are core principles of the ALMA Network, making transnational mobility not only a cornerstone of ALMA projects but also a strategic priority for all partners involved.

The Network meeting has provided a key platform for exchange, networking, and joint problem-solving among members. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, ALMA Network members are strengthening the implementation of the programme in their respective regions. This collaborative effort ensures more inclusive participation and elevates the overall quality of transnational mobility across Europe.

Empowering NEETs through Locally Adapted Mobility Solutions

The ALMA initiative offers vulnerable NEET groups access to meaningful, work-related experiences that are not addressed by any other transnational mobility programme. The ALMA Network is committed to tailoring this unique approach to the specific needs of NEETs, helping them to strengthen both their personal and professional skills through an innovative transnational framework.

To ensure success, local contexts must be carefully considered, and regional or national frameworks adapted at every stage—preparation, mobility, and follow-up. The ALMA Network meeting in Barcelona provided such a platform—through interactive thematic sessions on designing and drafting calls, practical approaches to outreach and financial systems, and hands-on best-practice examples, such as the study visit to Fundació Catalunya Voluntaria. In doing so, the initiative promotes quality, resilience, and equal opportunities for vulnerable young people.

This tailored and inclusive approach not only empowers participants but also reinforces the value and impact of the Network’s work and the shared commitment to the ALMA initiative. It is a privilege to be part of such a dynamic and impactful programme.

Strategic Priorities for the 2025 Work Programme

The Work Programme 2025 outlined the core priorities to guide the ALMA Network’s work throughout the year. Each topic identified by members is critical to the effective delivery of ALMA projects across Member States and regions. These priorities include:

• Finances, including simplified cost options (SCOs) and the Delegated Act, while also considering the upcoming funding period. These elements are essential for ensuring the financial sustainability and administrative feasibility of ALMA initiatives.

• Addressing the NEET target group, whose characteristics and needs vary significantly across Member States. Tailored approaches are crucial to effectively reach and support the most vulnerable.
• Launching and drafting calls, particularly in navigating alignment with national guidelines and frameworks. This is fundamental to ensuring transparent, efficient, and impactful project implementation.
• National and transnational cooperation, which is vital for strong, effective delivery. Collaboration enhances the ability to meet participants’ needs and facilitates the exchange of best practices across regions.
• Evaluation and assessment at multiple levels, from individual participant outcomes to national policy impacts. This supports a continuous improvement cycle, helping to identify success factors and areas requiring development.
• Dissemination and communication of the ALMA initiative, ensuring its value and outcomes are widely and effectively shared. This is critical for building awareness, engaging stakeholders, and securing long-term sustainability.

The collaborative definition and discussion of key priorities—initiated at the 2024 Athens meeting and continued throughout 2025—have been essential to fostering shared understanding, strengthening regional implementation, and ensuring alignment across Member States. Through both online and on-site ALMA Network meetings, including the interactive 12th meeting in Barcelona, members exchanged best practices and jointly advanced ALMA’s inclusive and high-quality approach. These focus areas laid a strong foundation for promoting equal opportunities and enhancing the programme’s impact across Europe.

Insights from the ALMA Study Visits in Barcelona

The study visits to Fundació Catalunya Voluntaria, Nexes Interculturals SCCL, Fundació BCN Formació Professional, and Cooperativa social 3insocial provided the ALMA Network with valuable insights, helping to turn theoretical frameworks into practical action. These exchanges allowed members to address key questions in designing and drafting ALMA calls, with input from experienced local practitioners.

By observing how project operators in Barcelona implemented best practices and overcame challenges, members gained adaptable ideas for their own contexts. The visits offered a deeper understanding of local strategies and sparked reflection on improving implementation at home.

Members experienced first-hand how hosting and sending activities were organised, gaining practical insights into all stages of mobility—outreach, preparation, implementation, and follow-up. The commitment and flexibility shown by organisations and participants were especially inspiring.

The open, welcoming environment encouraged mutual learning. Observing Catalan problem-solving approaches motivated participants to apply similar strategies in their regions. These experiences clarified key programme aspects and boosted confidence.

Ultimately, the study visits strengthened the ALMA Network, providing members with hands-on tools, new perspectives, and renewed purpose.

Conclusion

The 12th ALMA Network meeting in Barcelona marked a key milestone in advancing the 2025 Work Programme. Through hands-on learning, peer exchange, and strategic dialogue, members tackled core priorities such as finances, outreach, and cooperation with renewed focus and practical insights.

The meeting also bridged the gap between strategy and implementation, helping members translate ideas into locally adapted action. Looking ahead, it set a clear precedent for continued collaboration, practitioner involvement, and programme innovation.

We extend our sincere thanks to all organisations and participants who contributed so generously to this enriching experience. These lessons will continue to guide and inspire the evolution of the ALMA initiative—ensuring it remains a leading force in promoting inclusion and mobility for NEETs across Europe.