NEET Navigator

Project information:

Official name of the project: NEET Navigator: Behaviour-Aware Digital Upskilling Pathways for NEET Engagement and VET Professional Practic

Duration of the project: 1.9.2026 - 28.2.2029

Project coordinator: Gewerkstatt (Germany)

Project partners: EKPA (Greece), VAMK (Finland), CFP Cemon (Italy)

Funding: Erasmus+

Contact person in VAMK:

Tanja Oraviita, Project Manager (RDI and Business Unit)

tel. +358 207 663 636, tanja.oraviita@vamk.fi

Research area: Smart Society

Project code: KA220-VET-308CF8E6

Language: English

Project description

The NEET Navigator project aims to strengthen the social inclusion, employability skills and pathways into education or employment of NEET young people (young people who are not in employment, education or training). The project addresses the challenges many young people face in managing everyday life, maintaining motivation, developing social skills, and engaging with education and career pathways. At the same time, the project enhances the capacity of vocational education and training (VET) and adult education professionals to provide structured life skills guidance.

The project will develop a seven-module life skills training programme, an open-access MOOC for young people, and micro-credentials for professionals. The content will cover topics such as time management, financial literacy, self-regulation, communication skills, rights and responsibilities, and career planning. In addition, the project will create the NEET Navigator app, which will support young people in managing daily life, achieving personal goals and maintaining motivation through microlearning, reminders and encouraging support tools.

Goals

The project has the following objectives:

  • To strengthen key life skills among NEET young people, including financial literacy, time management, self-regulation, communication skills, and career planning.
  • To increase the independence, self-confidence and motivation of NEET young people through accessible digital and experiential learning approaches.
  • To enhance the capacity of vocational education and training and adult education professionals to implement structured life skills development pathways.
  • To provide digital support tools, such as the NEET Navigator app, that reduce barriers to participation and support continuous learning.
  • To promote social inclusion, community engagement and employability through mentoring and community-based activities.
  • To support sustainable pathways into vocational education, employment, employability and financial self-sufficiency.

Results

    • Open Educational Resources (OER);
    • digital badges;
    • transferable micro-credentials;

a website, MOOC, mobile application and VR materials, all of which will be maintained for at least five years after the end of the project.

  1. Life Skills Upskilling Pathway
  • A life skills-based framework and competence model.
  • An openly accessible Toolkit for vocational education and adult education professionals.
  • A multilingual MOOC enabling professionals to strengthen their competences in supporting NEET young people.
  1. NEET Navigator App
  • A multilingual digital application providing young people with:
    • microlearning content
    • self-assessment and reflection tools
    • support for everyday life management
    • motivation and goal-tracking features
  • The application is based on the COM-B behavioural model and incorporates ethically designed AI functionalities.
  1. VR-Based Learning Environments
  • Sixteen 360° VR scenarios co-created with young people.
  • Scenarios will allow participants to practise:
    • workplace situations
    • communication skills
    • teamwork
    • managing social situations
  • The aim is to strengthen self-confidence and improve readiness for transition into education and employment.
  1. Enhanced Professional Competence

    The project aims to ensure that:

  • at least 160 professionals participate in training activities;
  • professionals improve their capacity to support NEET young people;
  • behavioural science methods, digital pedagogy and VR-based learning are integrated into everyday professional practice.
  1. Impact on NEET Young People

    Expected impacts include:

  • improved self-regulation and life management skills;
  • strengthened life skills;
  • increased self-confidence;
  • greater readiness to transition into education or employment;
  • enhanced social inclusion and participation in communities.
  1. Open and Sustainable Resources

    The project will produce:

  • Open Educational Resources (OER);
  • digital badges;
  • transferable micro-credentials;
  • a website, MOOC, mobile application and VR materials, all of which will be maintained for at least five years after the end of the project.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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