The GRECO (Green Economy Career Orientation) project has successfully wrapped up its implementation of the main project results, marking a significant milestone in youth employment and environmental sustainability. This Erasmus+ funded initiative has delivered transformative tools and methodologies that empower youth workers to guide young people toward meaningful careers in the expanding green economy. The final conference will be hosted by the Business Development Centre Kragujevac in Serbia this September.

Bridging the Gap Between Youth and Green Jobs

At its core, GRECO addresses a critical challenge: connecting young people's aspirations with the evolving opportunities in the green economy. The project has created comprehensive career guidance frameworks, specialised training programs, and strategic partnerships with local employers, establishing clear pathways for youth to transition into sustainable careers.

Smart Institute's Contribution

Smart Institute is the Slovenian Partner for the GRECO Project. They have provided the project's press release (full release below) as well as key insights of their project and its results.

As one of the key partners, Slovenia's Smart Institute played an instrumental role in the project's success. The organisation developed an innovative methodology for evaluating and selecting best practices in green economy initiatives, using five key criteria:

This comprehensive framework has set new standards for identifying impactful green economy practices across Europe.

Key Achievements in Slovenia

The project's implementation in Slovenia yielded impressive results:

• Pilot Testing: Successfully tested the GRECO online course in collaboration with the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi
• Youth Worker Training: Two Slovenian youth workers gained advanced green career guidance skills at international training in Greece
• Local Research: Conducted comprehensive research on Slovenian green economy policies and job opportunities
• Knowledge Sharing: Hosted a dynamic webinar for European participants showcasing the project's vision and tools

Creating Lasting Impact

Through robust partnerships with local stakeholders, including the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi and the Youth Centre Radlje ob Dravi, GRECO has established a sustainable framework specifically designed to guide young Slovenians, particularly those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, toward impactful careers in the green economy.

The project represents Slovenia's commitment to the European Green Deal, EU Youth Strategy, and European Skills Agenda, demonstrating how collaborative European initiatives can create tangible pathways for youth employment while advancing environmental sustainability.

As Europe continues its green transition, projects like GRECO prove that investing in youth career orientation is not just about employment, it's about building a sustainable future where personal growth and ecological stewardship go hand in hand.

Learn more about the GRECO project at https://greco-project.org/