Edible Cities: Transforming Vacant Urban Spaces into Green Jobs for NEET Youth

Edible Cities promotes an innovative urban regeneration model where the city functions as a circular food-producing ecosystem, linking environmental sustainability directly with social inclusion and youth employability. The project addresses the dual European challenge of the green transition and youth unemployment by creating new learning and employment opportunities within the green economy, specifically focusing on NEETs and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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By bridging the gap between research, youth policy, and grassroots practice, the initiative drives behavioral change and fosters local green entrepreneurship through non-formal education methodologies and nature-based solutions.

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The European added value and strategic impact of the project are built upon three main pillars aligned with European Union priorities:

• Support for EU Macro-Strategies: The project translates the core objectives of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the New European Bauhaus into local action. It demonstrates how urban communities can actively contribute to climate neutrality, social cohesion, and inclusive, sustainable spatial design.
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• Standardization and Validation of Green Skills: By embedding the European frameworks GreenComp (sustainability competences) and LifeComp (transversal competences) into its educational approach, the project ensures high-quality training. Learning outcomes are mapped to the Europass micro-credentials system, guaranteeing transnational recognition and portability of skills for the modern job market.
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• Transnational Cooperation and Youth Policy: Operating across an intersectoral network in 8 European countries, Edible Cities fosters active citizenship and participatory democracy. It empowers young people to co-design concrete Policy Recommendations for local and European decision-makers, strengthening the connection between youth aspirations and the EU agenda.

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Expected outputs:

• EU Competency Framework & Guidelines: Methodological tools based on GreenComp and LifeComp to upscale youth work practices across Europe.
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• Digital Learning Platform (MOOC): Accessible, multilingual training pathways focused on urban agriculture and green entrepreneurship.
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• European Certification Standards: Standardized Europass micro-credentials to formally validate non-formal learning outcomes.
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• Policy Recommendations & Community of Practice: Youth-led strategic proposals to influence urban and social policies, backed by a transnational virtual network.
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• Impact and Dissemination Campaign: A large-scale cross-border awareness campaign in 9 languages designed to scale the model and ensure maximum replicability across EU cities.

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The Edible Cities project targets young people aged 15-29, especially NEETs, young migrants, people with disabilities, and those facing socio-economic disadvantages. It also involves youth workers, educators, local organisations, policymakers, and youth leaders, developing green, digital, entrepreneurial, and civic competences.

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