Mental Wellbeing for Youth Unemployed Affected by the Pandemic Context of Coronavirus

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address the pressing needs of unemployed young people, particularly those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exacerbated challenges such as mental health struggles, social isolation, digital dependency, and barriers to employability, leaving many young people vulnerable. This project aims to support their transition to independence by equipping them with critical social, emotional, and life skills.Through innovative solutions like the Well_Youth! MOOC course and the Youth Move ON App, we sought to provide tools and resources to help young people manage stress, build resilience, enhance time and financial management skills, and reduce reliance on digital environments. Additionally, the project addresses the need for increased social engagement and inclusion by encouraging participation in community activities and fostering meaningful interpersonal connections. These efforts are designed to empower young people to regain confidence, integrate into the labor market, and improve their overall well-being.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to strengthen the social and emotional competencies of unemployed young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to help them manage crises, promote mental health, and prepare for integration into the labor market. It focused on three key objectives. First, it developed the skills of 25 youth workers from partner organizations to create blended-learning training courses using the Well_Youth methodology, which focused on mental health and social-emotional skills. Second, it enhanced the competencies of 50 unemployed young people in stress management, financial literacy, and time management through the Well_Youth MOOC course, addressing mental health challenges like anxiety and low self-esteem. Third, it aimed to reduce digital dependency and encourage offline social engagement by introducing the Youth Move ON app, fostering self-esteem and meaningful interactions. The project prepared young people for new learning and working environments while equipping youth workers with the tools to support their personal and professional growth, ensuring long-term benefits and social inclusion.<< Implementation >>The project implemented a range of activities to achieve its objectives and support the target groups effectively. First, a methodological framework (Well_Youth) was developed to guide youth workers in designing blended-learning courses focused on mental health and social-emotional competencies. This framework was piloted with 25 youth workers from all partner organizations, ensuring its practicality and adaptability.The second key activity was the creation of the Well_Youth MOOC course, a modular online program aimed at enhancing the stress management, financial literacy, and time management skills of 50 unemployed young people. The MOOC was piloted across five partner organizations, with participants providing feedback to refine its content and delivery.Additionally, the project developed the Youth Move ON application, an interactive tool designed to reduce digital dependency and promote offline social engagement. This app featured personalized activity suggestions, anxiety management tools, and a community map for local events, all of which were tested during the pilot phase with the target group.Other activities included dissemination efforts, such as multiplier events, newsletters, and online platforms, to promote projects.<< Results >>The project delivered several concrete outputs and results. The first major output was the Well_Youth Methodology, a detailed framework for designing blended-learning courses aimed at promoting mental health and social-emotional competencies. This methodology was piloted with 25 youth workers across five partner organizations, equipping them with tools to support unemployed young people effectively.The second output was the Well_Youth MOOC course, a modular, interactive online learning program designed for 50 unemployed young people. It focused on building skills in stress management, financial literacy, and time management, helping participants address mental health challenges like anxiety and low self-esteem while enhancing their employability.Another significant result was the development of the Youth Move ON App, an innovative digital tool aimed at reducing digital dependency and promoting offline social engagement. The app included features like anxiety management tools, a community map for local activities, and personalized recommendations, fostering real-world participation and self-esteem among users.