Training and entrepreneurship for young people
The European project Prodigy (acronym for PROmoting Digital and Green Skills for Youth) is relaunching its appeal in Palermo, one of the Italian cities involved in the programme, offering growth and professional qualification pathways for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs). The initiative, funded under ESF+ Social Innovation+, aims to improve job opportunities and civic engagement for 240 young people in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria.
The need to support young people in the transition from school to training and work is a daily challenge in Palermo. It was in this context that the workshop held on 27 November at the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa represented a crucial moment of direct listening and shared construction around the needs of young people and the opportunities offered by the local area [see the news item Training and business for young people].
The importance of training in Palermo
As emphasised by the project tutor Veronica Chisari, Prodigy's free training courses - which combine digital knowledge, guidance and meetings with local companies - are essential for young people to enhance their skills and develop marketable competencies. Similarly, the project offers companies a concrete opportunity to meet new talent and generate networking and shared growth.
Prodigy's training methodology, which represents an evolution of existing models such as Dig4all and Digi-Breaker+, involves a personalised educational approach, individual support and the strengthening of social networks between different actors. The training programme is specifically designed to facilitate re-entry into the labour market and promote inclusion by developing digital and green skills that are increasingly in demand in the market.
Free courses with certification
Enrolment for the free training courses is now open and will continue until May 2026. The courses are delivered in a blended format (online with live lessons and asynchronous materials) and are divided into three levels of complexity: basic, intermediate and advanced.
The specialisation courses offered, aimed at developing digital and sustainability skills, include:
- Green skills in the new job market (starting on 29 January, 5 and 12 February 2026)
- Data Analyst (with basic modules scheduled for November and December 2025, and intermediate/advanced modules in January 2026)
- Social Media Marketer (February–April 2026)
- Sustainability Manager (February–April 2026)
- Web Designer (March–May 2026)
A key aspect of Prodigy is the validation of the skills acquired through ESCO and DigComp 2.2 certification. Furthermore, the link with business is crucial: the project aims to set up internship contracts and job interviews, offering participants experiences that will take them directly from training to the world of work. For young people in Palermo, Prodigy represents a tangible opportunity to prepare themselves competitively and keep up to date with the latest innovations in the world of work.
To participate and register
To apply and not miss this opportunity, you can fill out the online form. For more information and collaborations in the area, you can contact the project manager Annaleda Mazzucato at the email address a.mazzucato@mondodigitale.org.
