The Education Service of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia is embarking on two major projects, Back On Track and IntegrAge, under the Danube Transnational Program, spanning the next two and a half years. These initiatives target specific age groups and aim to enhance their future employability. The combined value of both projects amounts to 4,793,157 euros.
On November 29, 2022, the European Commission officially ratified a new transnational cooperation program for the Danube region, slated for the period 2021-2027.
“With a pressing issue at hand and based on extensive research, the Back On Track project is tailored for young individuals aged 15 to 29 falling into the NEET category—those not in education, employment, or training—particularly in rural areas. Responding to this critical challenge, the European Union has set a goal to reduce the NEET rate to below 9% by 2030,” highlighted Ivana Kovačević, Head of the Education Service at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia.
Central to the project is the imperative to engage, motivate, and seamlessly integrate inactive young people who find themselves disengaged and marginalized. Additionally, the project aims to assess their characteristics, establish sustainable engagement strategies, facilitate their social and educational integration, provide tailored support to realize their aspirations, and enhance their fundamental life skills and mental well-being.
In parallel, the IntegrAge project, equally significant within the Danube Transnational Program, focuses on supporting the integration of older workers (aged 55+) into the labor market. Leveraging their knowledge and experience, the project aims to empower them through skills development and mentorship, ensuring their continued contribution to the economy while addressing the shortage of skilled labor. Furthermore, it promotes a healthy work-life balance tailored to their age, thereby fostering the well-being and productivity of older workers.
The Danube Region Program encompasses nine EU countries and five non-EU countries, making it one of the largest Interreg programs in the current programming period. With a budget of 266 million euros, the program aims to bolster cooperation projects that foster innovation, sustainability, and social development in the Danube Region, while also strengthening regional governance to address common challenges.
