SYnC – Strengthening youth entrepreneurship and innovation capital for the circular economy

SYnC is an Erasmus+ project focused on developing a non-formal educational framework to introduce young people and youth workers to the circular economy and to unleash the innovation potential of the former.

Grant Agreement Number: 2021-2-EL02-KA220-YOU-000050038

Funded by: Erasmus+ Duration: 31/05/2022 – 29/05/2024

Challenge

Between 2012 and 2018 the number of jobs linked to the circular economy in the EU grew by 5% to reach around 4 million, which demonstrates the high potential for job creation and growth from exploiting the circular economy opportunities. This manifested job growth in circular economy could be a potential driver to increase youth participation in the labour market and help European countries address the high youth unemployment rates.

Innovation

The Sync project presents a new non-formal educational framework to help young people harness the entrepreneurship and innovation capital of the circular economy.

Action

This digital toolkit showcases innovative youth-led initiatives, particularly on micro-businesses and youth start-ups, that could act as an example for future circular economy young entrepreneurs. Its aim is to improve the knowledge capital of youth workers, youth organisations, young people, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in terms of circular economy entrepreneurship. Available in 5 languages (English, Greek, Portuguese, Romanian and German).

The Guidebook helps youth workers to:

Better understand key concepts and familiarize with the UN and EU policies and strategies (SDGs).
Build their capacity to integrate in their work with youth and to promote sustainable development and circular economy.
Develop a battery of tools and approaches to nurture the innovation capital of young people and to assist them in building sustainable entrepreneurial ideas.
Have at hand ready examples and resources so as to trigger the interest and guide youth towards sustainability and circular economy ideas.

Available in digital format, in 5 languages (English, Greek, Portuguese, Romanian and German).

The SYnC online course and platform on circular economy entrepreneurship addressed to youth aims to serve as an integrated and tailored course to equip them with knowledge, and competences relevant to the circular economy, and nurture the youth innovation capital towards new green and sustainable business ideas.

These two reports provides policy makers, non-formal education actors and other relevant stakeholders with evidence-based knowledge on the development and application of non-formal educational programmes and resources on the field of entrepreneurship and circular economy.