Project PATHS - Interreg Danube

PATHS – Personalized Approach to Territorial Life and
Career Support This highlights shortcomings in terms of equal and equity opportunities.

The common challenges faced by the countries involved in the PATHS project are rooted in the lack of opportunities for informed career choices and the lack of services that are widely available (including for children of disadvantaged, rural areas and parents with low educational attainment). Young people wishing to enter secondary and higher education currently only attend ad hoc, limited informa

tion-sharing career awareness sessions and events provided by educational institutions, which increases the risk of drop-out, both in secondary and higher, vocational and adult education. In addition, disadvantaged rural areas are characterised by the outward migration of young people and those with higher education, the ageing of the resident population and the depopulation of the countryside. This situation not only negatively impacted the well-being and living standards of young people (especially NEETs) but also posed threats to the social and economic sustainability of these areas. A solution is therefore needed to help them (at local level) to stay in the area and to make informed, self-aware career choices. The general objective of the project is to develop accessible, inclusive, high quality services at the municipal level, strengthening LLL and the retention capacity of rural areas, by developing and expanding the existing institutional and professional capacities. The primary target groups:
o Young people (12-18) living in rural areas who would have access to career guidance presentations, information materials and online information only in an institutional framework, on a case-by-case basis, without a holistic approach. In many cases, this means an educational institution far from their place of residence, in the context of classroom lessons. The socio-economic status of the family does not allow them to access a market-based service at their own expense. Young people participate in the "I own the path!" camp and in LPs. o Mentors who, as counsellors, trainers, coaches, teachers, parents, social workers, psychologists, etc., take part in mentor training and are then qualified to run the municipal LPSS, and as professionals from SMEs and large companies, take on the task of hosting young people for work placements, supervising their work and evaluating their performance. As a result of the project, a LPSS will be established at the municipal level, independent of the education and training institutions, which will provide young people living in rural areas with full access to innovative, self-awareness-based career guidance services in their localities, thus improving their labour market situation. Following an individual development process, these young people test their knowledge and skills in a workplace environment. The result is a jointly developed solution that will be tested by the partners (HU, SK, RO, BA, CZ, HR) in a LP project with 2 components. The planned actions will help to prepare both mentors and young people participating in the PATHS programme for the LP. All actions will be accompanied by monitoring and social impact measurement tools. A and SI do not benefit from most of the common challenges, but are rather good practice countries that ensure the professional quality of the project. They are also involved in joint development and implementation. The long-term sustainability of the solution will be ensured by:
- The 2 comp. of the model tested in the LPs, jointly developed by the PPs, will remain operational in the LP municipalities, with the commitment of mentors beyond the project period.
- Development and establishment of the Strategy, AP and Network of the DR LPSS, with a continuous exchange of knowledge and experience, also after the project closure;
- Policy recommendation in the field of LL support: integrating the mentor training programme into the portfolio of the institutions concerned and into the legislative environment.
- In the framework of the DR LPSS Network, the following will continue to operate after the closure of the project: Career Guidance Expert, Coordination and Methodology Team (CG ECMT, national level), Intersectoral Working Groups (IWG, national level) as Sectoral Learning Dialogues (SLDs). A priority focus area for the DR Strategy in 2024 is the creation of a more attractive and liveable settlement environment for young people, counteracting the brain drain, building on the resources of local community spaces. This common challenge requires a common solution, which the PATHS project model is an appropriate response to. The social innovation elements of the project are based on linking the settlement environment and career orientation, expanding the range of services available at the place of residence, generating and maintaining cross-sectoral cooperation, compensating for the lack of capacity and resources in the education and training institutions and in the settlements.

23/12/2025

Meet the Partners: Područna privredna komora Trebinje
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Trebinje Region (CCITR) 🇧🇦🤝

We’re happy to introduce CCITR, a key business association in Eastern Herzegovina and part of the chamber system of the Republic of Srpska. CCITR represents and supports enterprises across nine local communities, contributing to sustainable regional development and stronger cooperation between businesses and institutions.

CCITR supports the local economy through:
• representing business interests and strengthening dialogue with public authorities
• improving international business cooperation and networks
• delivering education, training, and advisory services

A particularly important pillar of their work is Vocational Education & Training (VET). With the shortage of skilled labour growing, CCITR is increasing its focus on workforce development, working closely with schools, vocational training centres, and local employers to ensure young people gain relevant skills and better career opportunities close to home.

Together in PATHS, we’re building practical and sustainable pathways for youth to learn, grow, and thrive in their home regions. 🛤️✨💪🏡

Photos from Project PATHS - Interreg Danube 's post

15/12/2025

Last week, PATHS partners met in Maribor, hosted by PP Academia, to reflect on progress, strengthen collaboration, and align on the next steps of our shared journey.

The meeting brought together organisations from across the Danube Region in an open and constructive exchange, reinforcing the value of transnational cooperation. Through dialogue and joint reflection, partners reaffirmed their commitment to building accessible, inclusive, and locally rooted life and career support services for young people in rural areas.

Beyond coordination, the Maribor meeting highlighted what PATHS is about: working together, learning from one another, and shaping solutions that help young people discover, choose, and build their future close to home.

🤝 Thank you to PP Academia for the warm hosting and to all partners for the active engagement!

01/12/2025

Meet the Partners: Bulgarian Association for Transfer of Technology and Innovation - BATTI

We’re excited to introduce our strategic partner, BATTI, a Varna-based NGO that plays a key role in driving innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Bulgaria and beyond.

BATTI connects businesses, public institutions, youth, entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups by providing capacity building, knowledge transfer, and access to international networks. Their experienced team supports EU-funded projects under programs like Erasmus+, Black Sea Basin, and Danube CBC, making a real impact on communities and regional development.

💡 What BATTI stands for:
✔️ Empowering SMEs and startups
✔️ Promoting innovation and digitalization
✔️ Encouraging lifelong learning and social entrepreneurship
✔️ Building cross-border collaboration and policy influence
✔️ Supporting youth and inclusion initiatives

We’re proud to work alongside an organization that shares our vision for a smarter, more connected, and inclusive future! 🤝✨

27/11/2025

🤝 Meet the Partners – Development Centre Novo mesto (DCNM)
For more than 25 years, DCNM has been shaping the future of Southeast Slovenia! 💡

Their mission? To boost regional development, empower entrepreneurs, and inspire young innovators.
✨ What makes DCNM special?
✔ 35 experts dedicated to regional growth
✔ Supports more than 55 innovative companies with over 180 jobs created
✔ Offers startup weekends, hackathons, ScienceJam, and business mentoring for youth
✔ Teaches digital and robotics skills – over 3,000 children trained!
✔ Leads tourism development and connects 12 municipalities under the Local Action Group Dolenjska & Bela krajina

26/11/2025

Meet the Partners: ipcenter.at GmbH ✨

We are proud to introduce ipcenter, one of Austria’s leading education and training providers with over 25 years of experience!

Located in Vienna, ipcenter helps young people, adults, companies and institutions unlock their potential through learning, innovation and career development.

👩‍🎓 What ipcenter offers:
🏫 Vocational training (hairdressing, optics, cosmetics, media, acoustics)
🧭 Career guidance ( .move, Jugendwerkstatt, Get Started!)
💻 Upskilling and digital training (Coders Lab, Digital Finance 4 Youth)
🌍 Language and integration programmes
💡 Innovation in learning (TesTED, DigiLang, ME APP)

🌐 ipcenter partners in EU projects such as Erasmus+, Interreg, FFG and Horizon Europe.
Within PATHS, ipcenter leads the identification of good practices, organizes study visits and supports pilot activities in Austria to improve career guidance and lifelong learning in the Danube Region.

📣 ipcenter - Where education creates opportunity!

30/10/2025

Meet the Partners: Hargita Megye Tanácsa!🤝

Located in the picturesque center of Romania, Harghita County Council is a vibrant region committed to fostering the development of its local communities. With a diverse population and a strong focus on its rural areas (57.41% rural population 🏞️), the Harghita County Council's goals perfectly align with the PATHS mission to empower young people and revitalize rural regions. 💪🏡

Why Harghita County Council is so crucial to PATHS: They bring a wealth of experience from numerous EU projects (Interreg, Erasmus+, Horizon2020 🇪🇺) and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within their region. They are strategically engaged in reversing demographic trends like population aging, rural depopulation, and brain drain affecting their youth. 🧠➡️💡

Their invaluable partner, the Development Centre, has an impressive track record in career guidance:

Direct Engagement: Conducted over 100 classroom visits, connecting students with 80 invited companies. 🏫💼

Career Events: Organized 15 career days and job fairs, including a large fair with 1,000 students and 30 companies. 🚀

Modern Tools: Utilized an online career orientation portal that has supported 2,775 students from 60 educational institutions. 🌐📊

Innovative Programs: Launched initiatives like the "Hargita Hazavár" (Harghita is waiting for you at home) job advertising portal. 🌟

Through their participation in PATHS, Harghita County Council is ensuring that young people, especially those in rural and disadvantaged areas, receive the personalized career and life planning support they need to thrive in their home regions. 🛤️✨

Join us in celebrating their commitment to empowering the next generation! 🎉

28/10/2025

Meet the Partners: ADEL Slovakia 🇸🇰
Based in Bratislava, ADEL is a powerhouse of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration! 💡
For over a decade, they’ve been connecting young people, educators, and changemakers through international projects, trainings, youth exchanges, and creative initiatives that make a real impact.
From empowering communities and promoting active citizenship, to advocating for sustainability, equality, and intercultural understanding - ADEL’s work turns big ideas into lasting change.
We’re proud to team up with an organization that believes in learning by doing, thinking globally, and acting locally! 💫
👉 Discover more at www.adelslovakia.org/en

22/10/2025

Meet the Partners: University of Pécs
📍Located in the southern part of Hungary, close to the Croatian border, Pécs is a vibrant and culturally rich city - named the European Capital of Culture in 2010!
🏛️ Founded in 1367, the University of Pécs (UP) is Hungary’s oldest and one of its largest universities, built on more than 650 years of academic excellence. Today, UP has 10 faculties, employs around 7,300 staff, and hosts over 4,000 international students from around the globe.
💡 With strong foundations in education, research, and patient care, UP plays a leading role in innovation and sustainability. It proudly holds the title of “Greenest University in Hungary”, focusing on clean energy, well-being, and sustainable communities.
🔬 The university is home to cutting-edge research hubs like the Szentágothai Research Centre and the 3D Visualisation Centre, and participates in more than 50 international projects - including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, INTERREG, and the Visegrad Fund.
🚀 As the Lead Partner of the PATHS Project, the University of Pécs coordinates collaboration across international institutions, driving innovation, sustainability, and shared learning across Europe.
🤝 Through tradition, innovation, and global cooperation, the University of Pécs continues to shape the future - as a trusted and inspiring partner in higher education and research.

03/10/2025

On 23 September 2025, our partners gathered at the University of Pécs for the first in-person meeting of the project!

The session focused on reviewing the progress of Period 1, preparing for the upcoming activities of Period 2, and discussing management and reporting issues.

Key outcomes include:
✔️ Finalisation of core deliverables
✔️ Planning two study tours: Slovenia (Dec 2–3, 2025) and Austria (Mar 10–11, 2026)
✔️ Establishing intersectoral working groups and national-level workshops
✔️ Commitment to stronger collaboration through monthly online meetings and joint planning

The meeting confirmed the partnership’s dedication to impactful results and effective teamwork. We are excited for the next steps ahead!

04/09/2025

Why rural youth need better career guidance
For many young people in rural areas, career choices are limited by distance, lack of information, and family circumstances. Without accessible guidance, many risk leaving school early or moving away from their communities.

The PATHS Project is here to make a difference. By building local career support systems, we bring opportunities directly to rural municipalities – so every young person can discover their path close to home.

💡 Together, we can make rural communities more liveable and inspiring for the next generation.

27/05/2025

We’re proud to introduce the PATHS Project – a 36-month initiative under the Interreg Danube Region Programme, uniting 13 partners from 9 countries with one shared goal: to empower young people and strengthen rural communities.

Through innovative Life Path Support Services (LPSS), we’re providing personalized, local-level career and life planning guidance to youth aged 12–18, especially those in disadvantaged or remote areas.

From career mentoring and training programs to youth camps and transnational collaboration, PATHS is creating long-term solutions to combat school dropouts, rural depopulation, and limited learning access.

📌 Lead Partner: University of Pécs (Hungary)
🌐 Learn more and join the journey towards a more inclusive, future-ready Danube Region!

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https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/paths

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Maribor

Project PATHS - Interreg Danube

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