Yenesis – youth employment network for energy sustainability in islands

The YENESIS project aims to combat youth unemployment on islands by fostering green skills and promoting jobs in areas like energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, mobility, business innovation, climate adaptation, circular economy, water management, sustainable food systems, and essential soft skills. In addition to the environmental impact, the project follows the International Labour Organisation’s principle that green jobs must be fair, providing equal access to opportunities and ensuring wages are aligned with responsibilities, contributing to social inclusion.

With a total funding of €2.9 million, approximately €370,000 was allocated to AREAM, the Regional Energy Agency of Madeira, to implement activities such as creating educational materials, organising two week-long workshops, developing an online course, offering month-long paid internships, conducting study trips, and producing guides for schools and employers on the benefits of sustainability for future employability and business competitiveness.

The project’s outreach efforts targeted local stakeholders, including regional authorities, political leaders, schools, businesses, and citizens through a mix of online workshops, in-person sessions, and bilateral meetings. These efforts not only showcased YENESIS’s achievements but also encouraged the wider adoption of its educational resources to enhance the skills of students, teachers, employees, and the broader youth community.

Through AREAM, around 32 participants received training, with 12 completing internships on Porto Santo Island and 13 attending a week-long study trip in Norway. The online course, available in multiple languages across partner regions, is open-source, allowing continuous learning in green-focused areas. The project’s materials and outreach efforts reached approximately 400 direct beneficiaries, with additional exposure gained through social media and regional media coverage.

Source: Madeira Regional Agency for Energy and Environment

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