Gender Affirmation Through Entrepreneurship

<< Background >>The project was developed to address conditions of precariousness and professional and social marginalization that particularly affected transgender youth between the ages of 20 and 30. In Europe, more than 60% of trans women and 43% of trans men reported having experienced discrimination when seeking employment or starting professional activities, with even higher percentages in Italy, Bulgaria, and Serbia. These barriers, exacerbated by the post-pandemic crisis and labor market difficulties, also had an impact on mental health, generating anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. Promoting youth entrepreneurship was therefore identified as a concrete strategy to counter exclusion and marginalization, in line with the European Youth Goals on social inclusion, well-being, and quality employment. The partner organizations recognized the need to equip youth workers with innovative managerial, financial, and communication tools to support trans youth in their entrepreneurial paths, fostering self-esteem, confidence, and economic independence, while making the youth workers themselves agents of positive change within their communities.<< Objectives >>The project’s overall objective was to promote entrepreneurial initiatives among transgender youth aged 20 to 30, a group particularly exposed to discrimination and labor precariousness. In light of the barriers identified, the consortium set two specific objectives. The first was to create targeted approaches to strengthen the self-esteem and confidence of trans youth, essential elements for undertaking self-entrepreneurship paths. This objective included the development of innovative methodologies and digital guidelines to support youth workers. The second objective focused on introducing managerial and financial tools aimed at strengthening the competencies of youth workers, thereby enabling them to effectively support young people in starting new entrepreneurial activities. At the same time, the project sought to contribute to European priorities on inclusion and diversity, active citizenship, and the development of youth entrepreneurship, as well as to improve the quality and recognition of youth work as a driver of social change.<< Implementation >>During the project, several key activities were carried out. The launch was marked by the Kick Off Meeting, which allowed partners to define common timelines, roles, and operational methods. Subsequently, in Serbia, a workshop was held for youth workers, aimed at developing approaches and methodologies to strengthen the self-esteem and confidence of transgender youth, considered fundamental prerequisites for entrepreneurial initiative. In Bulgaria, a second workshop was organized, dedicated to the creation of managerial and financial tools and practices to support trans youth in starting autonomous entrepreneurial activities. In parallel, each partner implemented local activities to apply and test the methods learned directly within their own contexts. Finally, the closing meeting took place in Bologna, representing a moment of overall evaluation and sharing of the results achieved, while also reinforcing future cooperation prospects among the organizations involved.<< Results >>The project generated concrete results both in terms of tools and social impact. Among the main outputs was the creation of an interactive digital guide, containing approaches and practical tools to support transgender youth in strengthening self-esteem and self-confidence, which youth workers used in their support pathways. In addition, the “Young Entrepreneurs Digital Toolkit” was developed, collecting managerial and financial practices to assist trans youth in starting entrepreneurial activities. At the same time, local implementation activities reinforced the competencies of youth workers, enhancing their ability to work in complex contexts and with heterogeneous groups. The international workshops facilitated the exchange of good practices, the dissemination of innovative non-formal learning methodologies, and the recognition of learning outcomes through the YouthPass. Overall, the project contributed to improving the self-esteem of trans youth involved, reducing feelings of social exclusion, and fostering confidence, economic independence, and active participation in local and European communities.