YES (Youth Employment Skills) is a youth project (No. 2024-1-LV02-KA210-YOU-000250530) established within the Erasmus+ program, and was created with the support of the European Union. From September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026, the Science and Innovation Park foundation (ZIP) is working on this project together with the Greek partner organization In-Planet. The main objective of the project is to help young people successfully transition from a learning environment to work environment by providing quality information and helping them develop essential skills needed to successfully start a career. The YES project target audience is young people aged 16 to 30 who have limited access to education or information, including those facing geographical, economic, or other obstacles.
In September 2024, our Greek partners from In-Planet visited Riga to start the realization of the new project together. Both teams actively collaborated to generate ideas and develop a plan for upcoming tasks and activities aimed at helping young people gain the skills needed for the labor market. In May 2025, a repeat meeting was held in Greece, organized by In-Planet. During this meeting, the team visited various companies and discussed the youth employment situation in Greece. Local employers highlighted the importance of practical skills, motivation, and teamwork, and shared their approaches to recruiting and training employees. It was emphasized that to successfully integrate young people into the labor market, training programs should combine theoretical learning with practical examples.
This September, YES project workshops took place in Riga, where young people aged 16 to 25, alongside mentors from Latvia and Greece, learned how to prepare CVs and motivation letters, get ready for job interviews, and use artificial intelligence tools. The workshops had an active and friendly atmosphere, where young people learned new skills, shared experiences, and gained confidence in their abilities. The participants especially appreciated the practical activities. Similar workshops will also be held in Greece.
As part of the YES project, we are developing an online guidebook for young people with tips on writing an engaging CV and motivation letter, preparing for job interviews, and successfully adapting to the work environment. It will also contain other useful recommendations for building a successful career. The guide will be available in both Latvian and English and accessible through our and our partner’s websites.
The YES project is a valuable investment in the future of young people, offering them essential tools and support for their professional growth. The knowledge, experience, and international cooperation gained help boost young people’s confidence in themselves and their abilities, building a strong foundation for a successful career.
This project is financed with the help of The European Commission. This publication (article) reflects only the author’s opinion; the European Commission is not responsible for any potential use of information included in this article.