The first short film made using professional equipment, an electrical system installed after months of training, a song that becomes a career, a ramp that makes a school more accessible. These are different images, but they tell the same story: that of young people who, together with institutions, local organisations and their own communities, have transformed skills, ideas and relationships into new opportunities.

It was from this idea that Neet’s Net took shape – a project funded by Italian Development Cooperation, promoted by COE ETS and implemented in collaboration with ARCS, Cameroonian partners and the country’s institutions, with an approach based on collaboration and on strengthening the opportunities already present in the local areas.

For Fortune, one of the young people involved, the change was not just professional. During the training programme, she acquired technical skills, but above all a greater awareness of her role in the world of work. “I’ve learnt what decent work means, how important one’s rights and duties are, and how much self-esteem and professional training matter,” she says. This experience is shared by many young women and men who attended courses at the Bamboutos Leonardo da Vinci Polytechnic thanks to the 150 scholarships funded by ARCS in the fields of electrical installation and domestic plumbing, with practical training designed to facilitate entry into the labour market.

The training was accompanied by a joint initiative with local stakeholders to make existing opportunities more accessible. In this context, ARCS has mapped out 350 public and private services dedicated to employment and training in the cities of Mbalmayo, Bafoussam and Garoua, a useful tool for navigating the available opportunities.

At the same time, JobNet was developed – a free app designed to connect young people, businesses and training organisations via a single digital platform. To ensure its continuity even after the project’s conclusion, the app was handed over to the National Employment Fund (FNE), which now oversees its management and development.

Youssufa also explains how the real value of the programme lay above all in the relationships she built. Through Neet’s Net’s activities, she met representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the FNE, civil society organisations and other young people from diverse backgrounds. “This experience has boosted my confidence and helped me enter the world of work”, she explains, emphasising how knowing her rights and expanding her network of contacts has had a tangible impact on her journey.

Opportunities for interaction also increased thanks to the three Youth Employment Festivals organised in the participating cities. Over 1,500 people (young people, institutions, businesses, civil society organisations and members of the public) took part in discussion days dedicated to decent work, inclusion and entrepreneurship. But these festivals also provided a space where creativity became a tool for participation.

Among the key participants is Nicolas Hyacynthe, selected through one of the art competitions held prior to the festivals. “That support enabled us to make our first short film and purchase professional equipment. From there, we continued to work in the audiovisual sector and build new partnerships.” A story echoed by the musician Mamadou: “From that moment on, my career changed. I’ve released new songs, made music videos, and today music has become my main source of income.” In total, 20 artists and artistic groups were supported, highlighting the role of culture as a space for expression, participation and professional development.

Participation also continued through fifteen workshops organised in the three cities involved. More than 500 people discussed rights, entrepreneurship, inclusion, the prevention of discrimination, gender equality and health and safety in the workplace. These meetings gave rise to videos, theatre performances, awareness-raising campaigns and initiatives aimed at the general public, conceived and carried out together with the participants.

In some cases, these discussions led to tangible changes to shared spaces. Access ramps were built at three schools to improve the accessibility of the buildings. During one of the inaugurations, a headteacher remarked that “this ramp is a concrete symbol of the importance of universal accessibility, from school right through to the world of work“. This message captures the essence of an initiative born out of listening to the needs of communities and developed in partnership with educational institutions.

Activities also continued online. Campaigns dedicated to decent work reached nearly 60,000 people on social media, whilst an anti-discrimination campaign, designed together with the young participants, exceeded 17,000 views, extending the debate beyond face-to-face meetings.

Alongside all this, 685 young people were able to enrol in Cameroon’s voluntary insurance scheme, gaining access to the first few months’ contributions and thereby strengthening their access to the safeguards provided by the national social protection system.

The stories of Fortune, Youssufa, Nicolas and Mamadou describe different journeys, but they share one common element: none of these outcomes stemmed from an isolated initiative. They are the result of collaborative work between young people, public institutions, civil society organisations, training bodies, businesses and local partners, who have jointly developed tools, relationships and opportunities designed to endure over time.

Neet’s Net was developed by COE ETS (Educational Guidance Centre) in collaboration with ARCS, COECAM, Engineers Without Borders – Milan, the City of Milan and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, with funding from Italian Cooperation.