StartUp Spark

2023-1-ES02-KA152-YOU-000147255

Erasmus+ Youth Exchange | Cuevas Bajas (Málaga, Spain) | 6-14/03/2024

StartUp Spark was an Erasmus+ youth exchange project aimed at tackling one of the most pressing challenges in Europe today: youth unemployment, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly 80% of recent job losses affecting people under 35, this initiative set out to empower young people with the tools, mindset, and confidence needed to thrive in today’s job market.

Who Participated?

The project brought together 37 motivated young people—high school and university students—from Spain, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Cyprus. Over eight impactful days, participants explored how to build their professional paths through creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience.

Project Objectives

StartUp Spark focused on four main goals:

  • Raise awareness about the youth unemployment crisis and how COVID-19 reshaped the job landscape

  • Build digital and professional skills for job searching, CV writing, and navigating the modern labor market

  • Foster an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging participants to explore self-employment and innovation

  • Inspire new Erasmus+ initiatives, creating a lasting network of young changemakers across Europe

What We Did

The program was built around interactive and non-formal learning. Activities included:

  • Workshops on CV and motivation letter writing, interview preparation, and digital tools for job seekers

  • Sessions on youth entrepreneurship, helping participants develop ideas for their own ventures

  • Team-building games, group discussions, and collaborative exercises to stimulate creativity, initiative, and problem-solving

Local Impact

Each participant committed to sharing their knowledge locally, training at least 10 peers in their community. With new skills in career planning, digital job tools (like Europass and Youthpass), and public speaking, they are now equipped to support others on their employment journey.

The Bigger Picture

StartUp Spark showcased the power of youth work and non-formal education in addressing real-world challenges. It offered young people the chance to connect across cultures, reflect on their futures, and take their first steps toward building a more resilient and inclusive European job market.

Project coordinated by Asociación EuroMuévete and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.