According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), by 2050 Africa will house a quarter of the global population, with its youthful demographic as a key economic asset. However, integrating youth into the labor market and fostering entrepreneurship are vital to harness this potential. In particular within the African continent, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) countries face similar challenges, including high youth unemployment, modest economic growth, and regional disparities, despite their diverse political and socioeconomic contexts.

In these countries, labor markets show low participation rates, particularly among youth and women, alongside a large informal sector and significant brain drain due to emigration. Education, while improving access and gender equity, has yet to translate into better employment outcomes due to skills mismatches and inadequate alignment with labor market needs. Other challenges include insufficient job creation, poor school-to-work transition mechanisms and limited private sector involvement in policy-making. Gender inequality and political instability further exacerbate these issues.

According to the OECD, youth unemployment in the region is among the highest globally, with rates reaching 50% in Libya, 35% in Tunisia, and over 25% in Morocco. Young women face even greater unemployment rates, exceeding 50% in 2019. Education systems, though expanded in access and coverage, lack flexibility and responsiveness to rapid economic and social changes.

Addressing these issues requires targeted policies to improve job creation, align education systems with labor market demands, and promote inclusive economic opportunities. The challenges in Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco, while similar, demand tailored approaches to account for differing national contexts. Reforms must focus on leveraging the demographic potential, fostering equitable labor market participation, and reducing the mismatch between skills and market needs. This is critical to achieving sustainable growth and addressing the root causes of unemployment and inequality in the region.

PULSE addresses youth employability challenges in the North African region by tackling skills gaps and mismatches between labor market needs and training. The project emphasizes the importance of both technical and soft skills, equipping students and trainers with competencies to succeed in a dynamic workplace. Inspired by the EU EntreComp framework on Entrepreneurial Competences, PULSE promotes entrepreneurship as the ability to transform opportunities and ideas into financial, cultural, or social value. By adapting successful teaching methodologies from European VET centers in Spain, Greece, and France, the project aims to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, creativity, leadership, teamwork, and innovation in technical students for future job market readiness.

General Objective: Strengthen the capacity of VET centers in Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya to foster entrepreneurial skills among educators and learners using innovative teaching methods and digital resources.

1- Empower VET Educators with Entrepreneurial Skills

Through specialized training, we equip over 50 educators with entrepreneurial, pedagogical and digital skills to foster innovation within VET centers.

2- Upgrade VET Curricula for Industry Alignment

We enhance curricula with new tools and materials, making sure it aligns with current industry standards and meets the demands of the job market.

3- Create Innovation Spaces (SmartLabs) in VET Centers

SmartLabs will be established to inspire creativity, support business idea development and nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among students.

4- Build a Transnational Network for Collaboration

A cross-country network will connect VET centers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to promote regional and international cooperation.

5- Promote Entrepreneurial Spirit in VET Students

With a focus on soft skills development, we implement programs that encourage entrepreneurship and personal growth for all students.

6- Equip Trainers with Advanced Teaching Methods and Digital Tools

Trainers will gain access to innovative teaching methodologies and digital resources, creating engaging, modern learning environments.

7- Enhance Public-Private Partnerships to Improve Job Prospects

We foster collaboration with industry stakeholders, creating mentorship opportunities and work-based learning placements to bridge education with employment.