The Mutual Learning Programme organised a Learning Exchange focused on supporting the integration of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) on the 27th and 28th of September 2016 in Brussels (Belgium).

The Learning Exchange explored effective strategies to reach out, engage and support NEETs back into education or employment. The event, hosted by the Public Employment Services (PES) in Belgium, Actiris, VDAB and Le Forem brought together government representatives from Luxembourg, Germany and Norway as well as representatives of Belgian non-profit organisations supporting young people and the European Commission.

The event facilitated the sharing of knowledge and experiences as well as showcasing the ‘Find - Mind - Bind’ approach implemented in Belgium. Partners work with youth associations and community organisations to ‘FIND’ and identify young people by going out to meet them in the streets, sport clubs. An outreach worker builds up trust with the young person. Secondly, the outreach worker spends time with the young person to build up a trust (‘MIND’) relationship with them so that they are confident and willing to develop a career plan with the outreach worker. Lastly, the outreach worker works with the young person, and partners, to support them to achieve their career plan (‘BIND’).