SPARK

Main EU Legislative Proposals: - EU Development policies - EU External Aid - EU Refugee Policy - Access to Education - SMESs Support - EU Trust Fund for Syria - EU Trust Fund for Africa - EU Western Balkans Relations - EU MENA Relations - EU Africa Relations - EU Turkey Relations - Sustainable Development Goals - Multi-Indicative Programmes - European Neighborhood Policy - Enlargement - EU Financial instruments (NDICI)

Communication Activities: SME Coaching In regions affected by conflict, corruption or poverty, governmental jobs may be seen as more secure and entrepreneurship is often seen as a necessity. However, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can create jobs for young people, and support local economies. The service refers to providing coaching to SMEs in a form of targeted technical assistance leading to job generation. Scholarships With the aim to build a well educated, job-ready workforce of future leaders, SPARK provides higher (vocational) education scholarships to young, vulnerable youth (mostly Syrian refugees) in the Middle East. Our scholarships are tailored to local labour market needs and we partner with local organisations. Internships In areas with high youth unemployment rates, SPARK uses internships to address the gaps in the skills of young people and their access to jobs. Gaining the necessary ‘employability skills’ is difficult for young people, especially in conflict-affected or fragile regions because higher education institutes do not provide adequate training. Business Support Centres A Business Support Centre (BSC) is a physical space with well-trained staff who both coordinate the activities of the BSC and directly support entrepreneurs through various programmes. The BSC supports startups and existing businesses in business training, coaching, access to information and finance. Cooperative Support SPARK’s Cooperative Support programmes focus on providing assistance to cooperatives in order to help them transform from regular farmers’ associations to sustainable business income generators. This is done by offering cooperatives specific and growth-relevant knowledge, skills trainings on effective governance and operation, support in access to finance, as well as assistance in putting theory into practice. Entrepreneurship Summer Courses SPARK’s Cooperative Support programmes focus on providing assistance to cooperatives in order to help them transform from regular farmers’ associations to sustainable business income generators. This is done by offering cooperatives specific and growth-relevant knowledge, skills trainings on effective governance and operation, support in access to finance, as well as assistance in putting theory into practice.

Inter-institutional or Unofficial Groupings: N/A