Economic Opportunities for All — JA Europe and NN Group. Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't, yet.
Two years of turning access into opportunity
Economic Opportunities for All (EOFA) is a workforce development initiative delivered by the JA Europe network with the support of NN Group. Between 2024 and 2026 it supported underserved young people through structured employability and entrepreneurship pathways, combining practical learning experiences, mentoring, employer engagement and direct connections to the world of work.
A major milestone of the cycle was the integration of the Entrepreneurship Pathway alongside the established Employability Pathway, creating a dual-pathway model that recognises the diverse aspirations of young people. Together, the two pathways guide participants from first inspiration and skills development through to real-world outcomes — employment, entrepreneurship or further education.
Why it matters
Across every participating country, one finding was consistent: underserved young people do not lack talent or ambition. What they often lack is access to opportunities, professional networks, role models and practical experience. When those barriers are removed, young people develop the confidence, skills and agency to shape their own futures.
Cumulative results, EOFA 2024–2026. Volunteers figure includes NN and other partner volunteers.
One framework, two pathways
Every participant moves through the same three-stage journey — Inspire, Prepare, Succeed — while choosing the route that matches their ambition. The framework replaced standalone workshops with a connected progression from awareness and motivation, to skills development, to tangible outcomes.
From learning to earning
Career exploration, mentoring, career counselling, job-readiness training and work-based learning help young people build the skills, confidence and networks needed to move into the labour market. Delivered in Greece, Spain, Romania, Hungary and Türkiye.
From idea to venture
Building on the legacy of the Social Innovation Relay, the pathway combines entrepreneurship education, mentoring and hands-on learning so young people can explore entrepreneurship as a viable route to economic independence.
What young people actually do
Activities are chosen locally to match labour-market realities, drawing on a shared toolkit of experiential learning formats used across the network.
Delivered in ten countries
National JA organisations adapted EOFA to local labour markets, education systems and community needs — while sharing tools, evidence and practice across the network.
Greece
Expanded EOFA across the VET ecosystem, engaging thousands of students in mentoring and creating stronger pathways from vocational education to employment.
Spain
Connected underserved youth with employers through job fairs and the TrabaJA career platform, strengthening access to guidance, workplace exposure and employment.
Romania
Developed the Job Incubator model, helping young people explore career pathways, build job-readiness skills and connect with labour-market opportunities.
Netherlands
Advanced YoungPWR, an employer-matching platform connecting young people with career opportunities while strengthening engagement between employers and future talent.
Czech Republic
Built a national social entrepreneurship ecosystem with government, business and expert partners, connecting young entrepreneurs with mentoring and networks.
Built around three groups
Underserved young people
Students in vocational education and training, young people in rural communities, those from migrant and refugee backgrounds, low-income households and other underserved groups. All participants came from underserved backgrounds.
Schools and educators
VET schools, teachers and career counsellors gained tools, training and ready-to-use learning resources — including e-learning platforms, thematic lessons and competency-based frameworks that continue beyond the programme.
NN Group and partner volunteers
1,545 volunteers contributed as mentors, jury members, guest speakers and business coaches — bridging the gap between education and real-world experience and strengthening the quality of delivery.
Voices from the network
As a former JA student myself, I know how powerful these activities can be. The skill identification and career guidance sessions help young people rebuild confidence and see a realistic path forward. I strongly encourage both youth and volunteers to get involved — this is where real change happens.
It is important to give students the opportunity to present in front of professionals and in professional spaces, and to experience the feeling of having a serious and important task. This also helps them practice communication skills.
Three journeys through career counselling
Illustrated stories from participants supported by JA Greece through EOFA.
Eleni
Greece · Career counselling
Afroditi
Greece · Career counselling
Anthi
Greece · Career counselling
Who delivers Economic Opportunities for All
JA Europe
Programme design, coordination and delivery across the member network, together with monitoring, evaluation and learning. JA Europe connects young people with experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial capability.
NN Group
Long-standing partner of EOFA, providing funding, employee volunteers, mentors, jury members and business coaches, and supporting national awards and events across participating countries.
National delivery was strengthened by cross-sector partners including public employment services, ministries, employers, NGOs and JA Alumni networks — 1,727 partnerships in total across the two-year cycle.
EOFA 2026–2028
The renewed partnership builds on what worked and adds a third dimension. Alongside employability and entrepreneurship, EOFA 2026–2028 places greater emphasis on financial capability — recognising that long-term economic inclusion depends not only on finding a job or starting a business, but on the confidence, knowledge and resilience to make informed financial decisions throughout life.
The next phase will continue strengthening mentoring, employer engagement and experiential learning, while expanding access to AI and digital skills, career guidance, work-based learning and entrepreneurship support.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity should be too.
JA Europe and NN Group are opening pathways into employment and entrepreneurship for the young people who need them most.