Overcoming Uncertainty: ALMA Empowers Spanish Youth to Take a Step Forward

Meet Irene Gómez González and Raquel Roces Álvarez, two young Spaniards from Gijón who, just a year ago, were dealing with uncertainty in their own ways.

Irene had just earned a degree in Modern Languages but struggled to find a job. “Having a degree didn’t seem to be enough to enter the world of work,” she recalls.

Meanwhile, Raquel had reached a crossroads: “I was debating whether to continue with the sports competition or start the qualifying master’s degree in clinical psychology,” she says.

The feeling of uncertainty was difficult, but not uncommon. It’s shared by many young Europeans who feel stuck in a loop, trying to figure out the next step but never quite getting there.

An Opportunity, One Click Away

One day, both Irene and Raquel were scrolling through social media when they saw an advert for ALMA – four bold letters, embodying a life-changing opportunity.

They clicked on the link and quickly found out that ALMA stands for Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve. It’s a European Union initiative designed especially for young people aged 18 to 29 who are not in education, employment, or training.

What popped up on both Irene’s and Raquel’s social media feeds was a project called The Youth Activation Agency Incorporates European Mobility – one of 28 projects under the ALMA EU-level call.

ALMA promised young people a second chance and a fresh start through its unique three-step structure: intensive training in their home country, a work-related learning experience in Italy, and personalised follow-up support from mentors upon return to help apply their newly gained skills towards their goals and dreams.

Everything Raquel read matched her situation. “I was in a situation of uncertainty, and I saw this as an enriching opportunity for both my professional and personal future,” she says.

For Irene, ALMA sounded like a great opportunity to gain new skills, but when she saw the “experience abroad” part, her eyes lit up even more.

“I was dreaming of a chance to live outside of Spain,” Irene says. And here it was. She clicked Apply and filled out the application.

Ready, Steady, Go

After learning about ALMA, Irene, Raquel, and 18 other young people joined the initiative, ready to aim, learn, master, and achieve.

The first step was months of training, which included everything from language and cultural classes to cooking, CV writing, and self-development workshops – building soft skills such as communication, emotional management, and conflict resolution.

“I consider that the training from the local employment agency in Gijón has been very complete and well focused,” says Raquel.

For Irene, the main focus was learning a new language: “I thought that practising Italian could benefit me professionally.”

During that time, participants not only learned new skills but also bonded, built trust, and worked as a team, preparing them for the next step: a work-related learning experience in Italy.

The New Perspective

Beginning abroad wasn’t easy. But with each passing day, Raquel and Irene’s doubts diminished, challenged by the power of action. Living in a new country, navigating a different city, and working in another language all gradually became easier.

“I would highlight the adaptation to uncertainty,” says Raquel. “It wasn’t the experience I had in mind from the beginning, but in the end it has given me a new perspective on facing unfamiliar situations.”

Irene echoes that thought. Although a work-related experience in Palermo proved more difficult and complex than they’d anticipated, she says it taught her “resilience, adaptability, and patience.”

“It can be an enriching experience or a waste of time – that depends on each person,” Irene adds. “You can learn a lot about what you want and don’t want in your life.”

Sometimes, learning what you don’t want can be just as valuable as discovering what you do.

The (In)Tangible Outcomes

When participants returned to Gijón, they didn’t fall back into old patterns. Before ALMA, Irene was struggling to find work – now, she’s already employed.

“I have to admit that having experience in a position abroad makes it easier to find a similar one once you return,” she says. “I liked living abroad, and I’d like to work in another country in the future.”

Meanwhile, Raquel has made a pivotal decision and enrolled in university to pursue a master’s degree.

“Now, my goal is to finish the degree in general health psychology and to be able to find a job in this field,” she says.

For the team behind The Youth Activation Agency INCORPORATES European Mobility project, the final outcomes reflect the broader success of the initiative.

“Participants have arrived with doubts or blocks, but left with a much more proactive attitude,” says Joaquín Miranda Cortina, one of the project coordinators from the City Council of Gijón.

The personal transformations of these young Spaniards stand as tangible proof of the power of mentorship and support across all three stages of ALMA: before, during, and after the work-related learning experience abroad.

“We’ve seen increased self-esteem and motivation, drastic improvements in communication, teamwork, time management, and decision-making – all of which highlight the emotional and social impact of the experience abroad, which in most cases has been transformative,” she adds.

Europe’s Promise in Action

Raquel and Irene’s stories are just two among many, and ALMA stands as a testament to what can happen when European countries come together – not just through policy, but through shared human investment.

Joaquín Miranda Cortina is certain that the work-related learning experience abroad played a key role in the young people’s transformation.

“This experience allows many young people to live outside their environment for the first time, develop autonomy, discover new ways of working, and recognise themselves as active members of Europe,” she says.

For anyone considering ALMA, Raquel offers this advice: “I would suggest going with an open mind to new experiences, trusting in yourself and in your abilities to function in new countries. And to remember that you can learn from everything.”

ALMA, co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus Social Innovation+ initiative, has given young people far more than just a push towards a job or education. It provided an experience – one that taught new skills, built confidence, and, in some cases, revealed a whole new sense of self.

Learn more: The Youth Activation Agency Incorporates European Mobility project

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