World Vision Romania Foundation, in partnership with the Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Cluj and the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, launches the project “Go Green – Internship Programs for Employment” [Press Release]

According to data from World Vision Romania, 23% of teenagers in rural areas have not discovered any passions yet. World Vision Romania Foundation, in partnership with Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Cluj and the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, launches the “Go Green – Internship Programs for Employment” project, financed by the European Social Fund through the Education and Employment Program (POEO).

The orientation of young people towards entrepreneurship can be observed from childhood, with the percentage increasing as children grow older, according to the latest report, “Child Welfare in Rural Areas” by World Vision Romania:

• 6% of rural primary school children want to start their own business;
• The percentage rises to 8% in the middle school cycle;
• 13% of rural high school students want to start their own business after finishing high school.

The “Go Green – Internship Programs for Employment” project aims to improve the quality, relevance, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of education and training for the labor market for 300 students by developing an applied and proactive learning ecosystem to acquire key competencies, including socio-emotional skills and the empowerment of entrepreneurial abilities for better occupational integration of young people. The project’s overall objective focuses on optimizing the collaboration between the university education system and the labor market for developing students’ technical and specific skills. Additionally, it aims to contribute to the generation of sustainable green jobs, with interventions focused on promoting the green economy – circular economy, by developing a comprehensive entrepreneurial training program.

The project directly aligns with the objectives of the Education and Employment Program (POEO) 2021-2027, aiming to increase the quality, inclusivity, and relevance of internships for students. By adapting internships to the current and future needs of the labor market, as well as organizing an educational program focused on entrepreneurial training and green economy and green jobs, the project significantly contributes to improving employment opportunities for 300 students.

Through relevant internships and non-formal educational programs, the project facilitates equal and inclusive access to quality employment opportunities for future graduates, thus contributing to reducing youth unemployment and increasing the competitiveness of the national economy.

Activities carried out through the “Go Green – Internship Programs for Employment” project – ID 316271

• Organizing internships for 300 students
• Organizing a program for the development of socio-emotional (soft skills) competencies through seminars, workshops, and coaching
• Organizing a training program on entrepreneurial skills, green skills, and green economy for climate transition and circular economy for 140 students
• Conducting, publishing, and disseminating an analysis/study on current and future labor market trends at the regional level, based on statistical analyses, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups with experts, institutions, and the economic environment, as a basis for future educational offers from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, adapted to current and future labor market needs.

The target group of the project consists of 300 students enrolled in ISCED level 6-8 study programs, in the North-West region, aged between 18 and 35 years.

According to the January 2025 report “The Future of Jobs” by the World Economic Forum, some of the most important skills required on the labor market by 2030 are green economy-related skills, such as: knowledge in sustainability and climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energies, resource management, and circular economy, as well as interpersonal and social skills like teamwork and collaboration, clear and persuasive communication.

To support students in preparing for future jobs, we are organizing a dedicated program focusing on essential topics such as sustainable development, environmental cost management, impact on ecosystems, and socio-economic responsibility in business missions, including principles of social equity, non-discrimination, gender equality, and equal opportunities. At the same time, we focus on developing interpersonal skills through sessions on active listening, emotional management, teamwork, and collaboration, providing students with the necessary tools to adapt and excel in the future labor market.

The project (SMIS Code: 316271) is co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Education and Employment Program (POEO) 2021-2027, with a total value of 4,925,759.54 RON, of which 4,186,895.61 RON is the contribution of the European Union. It will be implemented between February 1, 2025, and January 31, 2027.

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Program: Education and Employment Program (POEO)

Priority: P07 “Increasing the quality of education and professional training offerings to ensure system equity and better adaptation to the dynamics of the labor market and the challenges of innovation and technological progress.”

Specific objective: ESO4.5. “Improving the quality, inclusivity, effectiveness, and relevance of education and training systems for the labor market, including through the validation of non-formal and informal learning, to support the acquisition of key competencies, including entrepreneurial and digital skills, as well as by promoting the introduction of dual training systems and apprenticeship systems (FSE+).”

Call: “Promoting the development of high-quality, flexible, and market-oriented tertiary study programs – STUDENT INTERNSHIPS.”