ALMA Initiative in Slovenia: Opportunities for young NEETs through personalized mentoring support

Author: Ana Klinar MSc, ALMA Initiative Coordinator, Employment Service of Slovenia 

The Slovenian ALMA Initiative is a six-month mentoring programme that helps young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) aged between 18 and 35 years old, to find jobs and become active in society. Through supervised work-related learning experience in another EU country, participants gain new skills, build confidence, and get empowered to overcome obstacles to employment. 

Many young people, especially those from difficult backgrounds, struggle to find jobs due to a lack of skills, work experience or self-confidence. ALMA actively supports primarily long-term unemployed youth in Slovenia to better engage in work, education and social inclusion. 

Three phases of the ALMA programme 

1. Preparation (2 months): Participants receive career orientation, mentoring and training workshops to better prepare for the work-related learning experience abroad in terms of cultural differences, foreign language skills, conflict resolution and managing work-placement expectations and fears. 
2. Mobility (63-70 days): Participants travel to another EU country for a work-related learning experience. Host organisations provide mentoring, work placements and accommodation.  Participants can often feel out of their comfort zone and they are encouraged to develop a positive “Yes, I can do it!” attitude.  
3. Follow-up (1-2 months): After returning home, participants receive further career planning workshops and activities to help them apply their new-found skills that were acquired during the mobility visit and to also either find work or continue their education. The benefits of mobility experience are discussed with the participants with their mentor. Participants can also choose career coaching sessions to find jobs and better manage their career path. 

The Slovenian ALMA initiative is part of a broader EU ALMA framework which aims to improve youth employment and social inclusion in many EU countries and regions. It enables young people to gain work experience in another EU country, enhancing personal and professional growth through transnational mobility. 

In Slovenia, ALMA Initiative is designed primarily for long-term unemployed youth and those facing different challenges. These challenges can be low education, mental health issues, migrant and ethnical backgrounds or social difficulties. The programme provides one-to-one mentoring, a supportive environment and structured tools to help each participant move forward. 

By building confidence, developing skills and promoting social inclusion, the ALMA Initiative in Slovenia gives young people the tools for a better future, career management and employment opportunities.