ESC: 8th Edition of Generation XXI: ESC connecting Europe

The municipality of Portimão is active in various priority areas of the European Solidarity Corps, we have several events and activities related to youth in various themes such as economic innovation, which includes entrepreneurship, employment and vocational training, inclusion, and social cohesion and, therefore, the creation of equal opportunities for all citizens and in the fight against youth unemployment, especially those with fewer opportunities. Algarve continues to be reported as one of the regions with low level of school success, and most young people prematurely drop out of school leading to unemployment and discouragement of our youth fabric. There are still few, young people from Portimão and Algarve who benefit from existing programmes and opportunities at European and international level, due to lack of knowledge and, or, passive, attitude. In this context, we believe that more can be done and that young people are not yet active as they could be, more involved in their municipality, more participatory. We want to develop policies in many fields, especially how to motivate young people from minorities, in the social life of the city. Thus, our main motivation to participate in the European Solidarity Corps is to be able to develop a new culture of participation in young people, so that they become more participatory and involved in our municipality. We want to give young people the opportunity and encourage them to participate in the life of their community, to make them more attentive and communicative citizens, more involved in activities, experiences, and structures, that allow them to develop their skills and see the results of their participation and efforts.