The Young Refugees’ AI Student Empowerment Program, an Erasmus+ initiative, aimed to address the challenges faced by young migrants and refugees in integrating into the European labor market. Running from May 1, 2022, to October 31, 2024, with an EU grant of €326,165, this project brought together partners from four countries to create an innovative, AI-driven approach to skills development and career guidance.
Addressing Key Challenges
The unemployment gap between native-born youth and young migrants or refugees remains significant, with many foreign-born individuals unable to access education, training, or employment opportunities. Factors such as diverse educational backgrounds, skill assessment gaps, and limited access to professional networks compound these challenges. The EU Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027) emphasized personalized learning opportunities, better skill assessments, and digital tools to bridge these gaps.
Building on insights from the consortium’s earlier e-VELP (Young Volunteer Educators e-Learning Program), this project designed a solution that empowers young refugees and youth workers alike, leveraging AI to make personalized education and integration more efficient and impactful.
Key Objectives
The project adopted a three-pronged approach:
- AI-driven Skill Assessment: Evaluate the unique skills of young migrants and refugees to identify gaps and create tailored learning plans.
- Customized Educational Support: Offer personalized course recommendations and iterative reassessment to match evolving needs.
- Workshops and Networking Opportunities: Enable participants to conduct workshops in local communities, fostering skills exchange and building professional networks.
The program also aimed to support youth workers by developing a reusable AI Assessment & Coaching Framework, which could be adapted for various educational and integration programs.
Activities and Achievements
Key deliverables of the project included:
- AI Assessment & Coaching Tool: Integrated into e-VELP, the tool created customized learning plans and recommended workshop topics based on individual skills.
- Training Programs: Two specialized training events were conducted—one for young refugees aspiring to become volunteer educators and another for youth workers offering supervision and support.
- Framework for Scalability: A generic AI framework was developed for use by other youth programs, ensuring long-term sustainability and broader adoption.
- Dissemination Events: Five multiplier events engaged over 76,200 individuals, 500 youth organizations, and 43 educational networks across Europe.
Impact
The project delivered tangible results:
- 30 community workshops facilitated by 15 young refugees/migrants.
- 10 youth workers trained in supervision using the AI tool.
- 5 educational programs integrated the AI framework, enhancing their support for young migrants and refugees.
- By one year post-project, an estimated 50 organizations are expected to adopt the framework.
Why It Matters
This program showcased how AI technology can bridge educational gaps for marginalized groups, empowering young refugees to gain skills, build networks, and start careers as educators or trainers. It also demonstrated the potential for scalable solutions that support inclusive and integrated societies.
Visit the project’s website for more insights: https://evelp.teachsurfing.org.
