SAGE Initiative

is an international project aimed at supporting young people aged 22 to 35, particularly those from groups at risk of social exclusion, such as women, individuals from rural areas, people with disabilities, those from low-income families, and migrants. The project's goal is to equip these young individuals with practical skills and knowledge necessary to manage social and ecological enterprises. The initiative is based on non-formal education methods and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles to enhance youth entrepreneurship and employability.

Implemented by an international consortium of organizations from Poland, Spain, Italy, and Greece, the project includes various activities to support young entrepreneurs. These activities encompass educational workshops, mentoring programs, the creation of the e-SAGE educational platform, and the establishment of local Youth Impact Hubs in the mentioned countries.

Results of the SAGE Project

The SAGE project will generate a range of tools and initiatives supporting the development of social and green entrepreneurship among young people. Below is a summary of the key project results.

Inclusive ecosystem

We will create a network of cooperation and support for young entrepreneurs, connecting mentors, social organisations and the business sector.

ESG learning pathway

We will develop a learning model based on ESG principles and non‑formal education methods to teach social and green management.

SAGE e‑toolkit

We will provide a set of tools and the e‑SAGE platform, enabling online learning, collaboration and access to practical materials.

Implementation guide

We will prepare a detailed handbook for youth workers and mentors, describing methodology for working with young entrepreneurs.

Mentoring programme

We will organise trainings for mentors and connect participants with experienced specialists supporting their development.

Youth Impact Hubs

We will create entrepreneurial hubs in Poland, Spain, Italy and Greece, offering workspace, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Success journal & partnerships

There will be a collection of inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs and a programme to engage public and private partners.

The main objectives of the project are to strengthen youth entrepreneurship by providing tools and methods that support the development of social and ecological enterprises; increase the employability of young people by developing competencies in management, finance, innovation, and sustainable development; promote social inclusion, especially for groups at risk of exclusion; create and develop support networks, including mentoring, Impact Hubs centers, and an online platform for young entrepreneurs; and raise awareness about ESG and the importance of social and ecological entrepreneurship as key tools for socio-economic development. The project targets young people interested in social and ecological entrepreneurship, particularly those from disadvantaged groups; youth workers, trainers, and mentors who wish to support young entrepreneurs; social and educational organizations working towards developing youth competencies; and representatives from the business sector and public institutions interested in supporting innovative youth initiatives.

Youth Meeting – WP2.A2 Youth Vision Assemblies

Date: 30.09.2025 | Participants: 10 young people

On September 30th, 2025, we organized a meeting with ten young people as part of the SAGE initiative. These were interactive workshops where participants shared their experiences and reflected on their position in the labor market. Together we explored the most pressing challenges young people face when starting their careers.

During the discussions, the main issues highlighted were the lack of work experience, financial and language-cultural barriers, as well as insufficient practical education and low self-confidence—particularly visible during the job application and interview stages. A surprising insight for us was how many participants felt stuck at the very beginning of the recruitment process—right after sending an application and waiting for any response. The meeting also clarified the types of support young people need—from practical training and financial assistance to mentoring and interview preparation—and these findings will guide future SAGE activities, including mentoring, Youth Impact Hubs, and ESG educational pathways aimed at providing real career support.

Young participants of the SAGE workshop discussing labor market challenges — Workshop under the SAGE – Social and Green Entrepreneurship network for youth.

Our partners:

AMUEBLA is an innovation cluster from Murcia, Spain, bringing together companies and institutions from the furniture sector. With extensive experience in EU cooperation projects, it promotes sustainable development and competitiveness in the industry. In the SAGE project, it contributes its expertise in innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility to support young people in developing green and social entrepreneurship. Its involvement ensures a strong connection between industry needs and youth-driven eco-social innovation.

CEIPES is a non-profit organization based in Palermo, Italy, dedicated to promoting education and development through innovative methodologies and international cooperation. With over 16 years of experience, CEIPES has implemented more than 250 EU-funded projects, focusing on areas such as youth empowerment, social inclusion, sustainability, and digital innovation. In the SAGE Initiative, CEIPES contributes its expertise in fostering green and social entrepreneurship among youth, supporting the project’s mission to empower young individuals in creating sustainable and socially responsible ventures.

Innovation Hive is a private non-profit research organization based in Larissa, Greece, specializing in business and social innovation. Its mission is to develop effective solutions that address complex challenges facing society and industry. In the SAGE Initiative, Innovation Hive contributes its expertise in fostering green and social entrepreneurship among youth, supporting the project’s mission to empower young individuals in creating sustainable and socially responsible ventures.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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