Specifically, the eBook integrates the theoretical and practical results of the training programme for young carers and professionals from each participating country. It also includes policy recommendations and best practices for those professionals serving young people.
Project partners from different disciplines and sectors, and operating in very different national contexts, have designed an innovative model for raising awareness of and promoting social entrepreneurship among Young Carers.

Despite the lack of research or specific figures on the number of Young Carers in Europe, the phenomenon is raising attention in many countries. A proportion of young people across Europe carry out a significant role in caring for their family member who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol, but their experiences and needs are not explicitly recognised in social and family policies. Beyond this, Young Carers are often hidden, forgotten or ignored by policy makers and service providers at national and local levels.

Our research has found that Young Carers face additional barriers
to education and training. Due to the limitations connected to their role, many young people are not developing the skills they need for a successful future and employment.

Considering these factors, the Care 2 Entrepreneurship Programme believes entrepreneurship represents a viable option for overcoming these hurdles, and can assist Young Carers in accomplishing several goals, such as increasing self-worth, developing transferable skills and overcoming obstacles in entering the labour market.

Many of the skills and virtues useful for social entrepreneurs are naturally developed while caring for a loved one, for example self-esteem, self-confidence, adaptability, creativity, ability to relate with other people, ability
to recognise needs and to think about possible solutions, and social responsibility. All these skills are vital in pursuing entrepreneurship, and could unleash a new generation of compassionate and innovative entrepreneurs.

If the Coronavirus has shown us anything it’s that the caring sector has been hit very hard; while on the other hand the problem of youth unemployment has been exacerbated– making the need for this kind of intervention and skills training more needed than ever.

DOWNLOAD THE EBOOKS

C2E: MAKING IT HAPPEN FOR EUROPE
(executive summaries)
https://www.c2eproject.org/download/500/

Full Report C2E: MAKING IT HAPPEN FOR EUROPE
(executive summaries and national chapters in English, Romanian, Italian, Greek and French)
https://www.c2eproject.org/download/497/

This press release is also available in:
Romanian
Italian
Greek
French