Erasmus+ projects are a very interesting and effective way for the youth to grasp new ideas in ways deep and meaningful enough for them to be able to use them in real life after the project is over. According to a lot of young people’s opinion, participating in an Erasmus+ project was a very fulfilling way to spend their time.

Unemployment of young adults is potentially the most important topic a project can cover, since it directly concerns young people’s quality of life. All of the participating countries have faced such problems extensively in the past decades and they appear in the top spots of youth unemployment in the European Union. Living there has shown us how hard it can be to find even the simplest of jobs. While we can’t so much change the labor market or the perception of employers on the kind of employees they are seeking, we are able to be as well prepared as possible to offer the best version of ourselves.

Maybe the most vital part that surprisingly a significant amount of young people lack in, is using technology and digital skills to their advantage. More often than not digital competencies are a field that has a lot of room for improvement for youngsters seeking for a job and it can be something as simple as not knowing how to build a suitable CV that will attract someone’s attention without being too “braggy”. While there are free platforms on the internet that people can use to build a resume and find connections for themselves (e.g. LinkedIn), knowing how to do it requires both practice and guidance from experts. In the past week in Floda a respectable part of our time was invested in exchanging opinions and searching for what works in each situation, how each one of us can raise our chances for succeeding in the market labor in our respective fields.

The vast topic of digital skills was also cultivated through workshops we hosted throughout our days here. Both participants and facilitators shared their personal experience with the rest of the team in relation to their knowledge. For example, some of the skills discussed were computer coding, video editing, 3D modeling and how start-up companies can be founded and administrated.

Generally, this format of non-formal education has proven how helpful it can be in providing knowledge and skills that otherwise would not be attained. Also, they can really assist people and teach them concepts in a way they had never tried before, that will actually be a small upgrade in their lives.

In conclusion, we truly believe that the participants are leaving Sweden as better equipped people in terms of employability and also have a better understanding of the job situations in other European countries. Projects with topics as crucial as acquiring digital skills as a tool for seeking a job shouldn’t scare the youth, but rather encourage them to use more technology in their lives.