Our project combines the development of an effective methodology to identify young people at risk of being NEET, an innovative intervention drawing on existing good practice piloted in PT, IT and ES to prevent young people with such characteristics from becoming NEET, and an impact analysis to measure the outcomes of these pilots at regional/national level. In combining these three elements, this project aims to develop an effective front-end strategy to address the NEET issue within the EU, by focusing on prevention rather than remedial action and supporting a “smoother” transition of potential NEETs from the VET system to the world of work. We will focus on students/trainees (15 -24) who are in the VET system, ending their compulsory education but is risk of becoming NEETs; persons (15-24) who are not in the VET (as well as unemployed persons). Other target groups: see Point F. The multi-stakeholder consortium, public bodies and private entities, with dimension/capacity to implement the project over 3 years is led by CECOA (PB VET provider). TIHR (Research Institute, PR) has a long experience of applying social science methods to research and evaluate the experiences of NEET in UK and at EU level. CECOA (PT), FMA (ES) and CPV (IT) are PR Foundations, and FJA (one of the Lisbon Parishes, PB) will be involved in the methodology testing and organisation of a set of events to spread the project at national/regional/local level. UCP is a non-state PT University (PB) - impact evaluation. ISOB is a DE PR Research Institution - quality evaluation. The partners are part of the already existing and regular network of organisations the promoter cooperates with, whenever the issues VET, labor market and skills development/matching are at stake. Main activities: project management activities, communication, cooperation; O1 - identification of the risk factors of becoming NEETs at local/regional/national level and reflection about the most effective supportive measure to prevent the risks of becoming NEETs; O2 – testing/adapting a model of INDIVIDUALIZED targeting and TAILORED intervention for young people at risk of NEET; O3 – conception of a guide aiming to present the model, containing the methodological approach, reporting the results of the pilot test and the impact analysis; O4 – impact evaluation, recommendations and potential for sustainability of methodology; O5 – to present a quality user feedback and usability evaluation report. Dissemination activities (Part G2). Methodology: at the core of this proposal is the insight that fighting the NEET issue is often an ex-post strategy: intervention occurs only after disengagement. In addition standard „one-size-fits-all” solutions have proven to be ineffective. The project focusses on developing and building on existing interventions which identify potential NEETs EARLY ON, by identifying typical risk patterns, addressing the INDIVIDUAL needs of such learners and exposing them to suitable work-based environments, and to elaborate with them TAILORED and FLEXIBLE pathways to further education, training or work. Results: 5 intellectual outputs (O1, O2, O3, O4, O5), multiplier events (focus groups, networking activities, national seminars, EU conference), transnational meetings. The length of the project will allow the research team to measure the results of the screening and intervention pilots. It’s innovative and sustainable as it will provide unique policy solutions to address systemic problems. Impacts: it’s expected to benefit young people (15-24) through pilots and mentoring and coaching sessions; others not involved directly in the testing will also be reached through dissemination; the intellectual outputs will be available and able to be used/applied. To be a success, enterprises and social partners must also be involved; with a stronger approximation between VET system and the world of work, helping/supporting the curriculum design, providing opportunities for students to get in contact with the job requirements. Local or regional authorities with VET and employment responsibilities are also expected to experience impact. They are as much interested to act preventively as youth unemployment is scaling, calling for urgent measures at political level to promote youth employment and preventing the disengagement of young people from society. They are expected to be involved in multipliers events, pilot testing (coaching/mentoring), and access to the IO and results through group reflections, holistic approaches and local solutions, large scale dissemination (Part G2). A strong Strategic Partnership, the IO, the Network of Stakeholders and learning activities are expected to bring high level of potential longer benefit. Despite the recent changes and the economic interventions, there are still challenges to solve at EU and national level, and authorities continue to need to engage in measures to solve unemployment, in particular among the young population.