30 young people with fewer opportunities from rural and urban areas from 6 countries (Hungary, Serbia, Armenia, Italy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Romania) will take part in two-stage international youth exchange project “The Young Entrepreneurs’ Journey”. Unemployment is a big challenge for Europe and neighboring countries. The unprecedented technological development and increased inter-dependence that the world is experiencing have not provided a solution to ones who are left outside the system, especially the young people who find it more and more difficult to meet the ever-changing labor market demands. The problem is even more acute among youth with fewer opportunities in rural and urban areas where opportunity is a scarce resource and access to education is limited. The frustration and disempowerment of the disadvantaged youth continually breeds low self-esteem, low motivation and cynicism. This issue is targeted mostly from macro level through the notion of wise policy and effective management of the economy. We believe this is not enough. We are convinced that a true and sustainable solution can only come inside-out; when a shift in thinking and change in perceptions takes place in the minds of young people who come to understand that they have more control over their lives than they think and they are empowered to be proactive and strategic, to seize opportunities, to see the potential and take risks. We believe in the potential of small synergistic actions in local interdependent realities and the need to promote entrepreneurial spirit among young people. We also believe that this empowerment and inspiration are best brought about to youth by young people themselves. Success story of one young entrepreneur can motivate thousands and the skills learned by a one youth worker can impact many in the local community in a ripple effect. Overall aims & Objectives: The main aim of this two-stage youth exchange project is to create a platform and a process where young people experience empowerment themselves and are equipped to empower others in their communities through exchange of ideas, stories, attitudes, techniques and tools that promote entrepreneurial spirit and skills of young people in general and young people with fewer opportunities in rural and urban areas in particular. One journey, 2 stages! The international exchange project “The Young Entrepreneurs’ Journey” is comprised of two stages: The first stage will take place in Armenia where participants will explore the subject, its challenges and opportunities. In between the first and the second stage participants will do research and observation in their local communities to find useful insights and opportunities for value creation, entrepreneurship and employability. The second stage of the exchange, which will take place in Serbia, will gather insights, learning, inspirations and experience of participants from their local communities and translate them into concrete business ideas and quality youth projects to be carried out under Erasmus + Programme. Objectives of the first exchange in Armenia (20-31 May 2015): - Explore the concept of unemployment and achieve a common understanding of youth employability - Analyze the current situation of young people today especially the youth with fewer opportunities in rural and urban areas and understand their hopes, dreams fears and barriers for their personal development - Exploring obstacles and barriers to youth employability and ways to overcome them - Understand the role and capacity of the youth worker working directly with unemployed young people to raise their employability - Identify innovative tools and best practices and methods which can be transferred to working reality - Form teams from participants to do research and observation in their local communities after they return in order to find useful insights and opportunities for value creation, entrepreneurship and employability Objectives of the second exchange in Serbia (23-30 August 2015 ): - Gather insights, learning, inspirations and experience of participants from their local communities and translate them into concrete project ideas - Equip participants with knowledge and skills in the field of project management in order to enable them to develop quality youth projects - Identify existing resources for the young entrepreneurs and share know how on social enterprises to link youth with business and entrepreneurship - Promote Erasmus + Programme and explain how young people can be involved in it - Develop concrete business ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives - Develop concrete projects to be applied under Erasmus + Programme - Develop and publish an online catalogue of business ideas and success stories of youth entrepreneurship Both Youth Exchange activities will use non formal education methodologies and will be centered on participants’ input and experience as the main source of mutual learning.