about project
MAIN IDEA
NEXT 2.0 is a Cooperation Partnership in the field of Youth co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Building on the success of the first NEXT project (“What’s Next? Future Professional Paths for Volunteers”), this second phase focuses on helping young volunteers transform their experience into professional opportunities.
Through collaboration between partners from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, and Romania, NEXT 2.0 creates tools, trainings, and opportunities that bridge the gap between volunteering, employability, and career development.
MISSION
To empower volunteers to recognize, develop, and communicate the skills they gain through volunteering — transforming their contribution to society into a foundation for personal and professional growth.
We aim to:
○ Strengthen the recognition of volunteering as a valuable form of learning;
○ Support youth workers and NGOs in guiding volunteers toward employability;
○ Encourage employers and educational institutions to value volunteering experience;
○ Promote inclusion, participation, and lifelong learning across Europe.
objectives
○ Create an Interactive Career Mapping Platform
A digital space where volunteers can explore career paths, identify key skills, and connect with organizations and opportunities.
○ Develop a Toolkit for Cross-Sector Collaboration Workshops
A practical resource for youth workers, educators, and employers to build bridges between NGOs, education, and the labor market.
○ Collect ESC Volunteering Ambassador Videos
Inspiring video stories that highlight how volunteering can lead to meaningful personal and professional journeys.
○ Promote Long-Term Impact and Sustainability
Strengthen European cooperation and ensure the continuous use of project tools after the project’s completion.
Target GROUP
○ Young volunteers (18–30 years old): eager to transform their volunteering into career opportunities.
○ Youth workers and mentors: supporting volunteers’ growth and employability.
○ Employers and educational institutions: interested in understanding and valuing soft skills developed through volunteering.
○ NGOs and public bodies:working in the field of youth, inclusion, and community development.
APPROACH
NEXT 2.0 combines research, innovation, and collaboration:
○ Research on the needs of volunteers and employers;
○ Co-creation of tools and resources for capacity building;
○ Storytelling and communication to raise awareness about the value of volunteering;
○ Events and trainings that strengthen networks and skills across Europe.
Why it Matters?
Volunteering shapes active citizens, strengthens communities, and helps young people discover their potential.
NEXT 2.0 turns that potential into a pathway to professional success, ensuring that every act of service can also be a step toward a sustainable career.