As part of the DRUPWB project, we are currently conducting a series of customised mentorships aimed at supporting NEET participants who are taking their first steps towards self-employment. These mentorships are designed and delivered by Outside Media & Knowledge (OMK) throughout October 2025, combining both in-person and online sessions to ensure accessibility and personalised support.
Practical Learning Tailored to Individual Goals
Each participant receives one-on-one mentorship sessions throughout October 2025. The mentorships focus on practical aspects of building a small business in the creative and digital sectors, including:
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Developing marketing strategies for self-employment
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Creating digital content, including video production and editing
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Strengthening visual identity and communication skills
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Understanding copyright, branding, and sustainable visibility online
The mentorships are fully adapted to the participant’s own business idea and professional path. Through hands-on learning and creative collaboration, participants gain the confidence and tools to promote their work effectively and reach new audiences.
Fostering Exchange and Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Alongside the individual sessions, we are facilitating networking activities with microbusinesses and SMEs in Germany and abroad. These exchanges provide real-world insights into how small enterprises operate and sustain themselves in competitive environments.
Participants are also connecting with international entrepreneurs and VET educators through the EKE network and during events in Emmendingen, allowing them to explore new approaches to collaboration, marketing, and self-management.
Preliminary Observations and Impact
At this mid-term stage, the mentorships are showing strong engagement and visible progress. Participants are applying newly learned digital and marketing skills directly to their projects, demonstrating initiative, creativity, and resilience. The combination of technical mentoring, strategic feedback, and exposure to real entrepreneurial experiences is proving highly effective in empowering participants to take ownership of their professional development.
The process continues to highlight the importance of individualised guidance, digital upskilling, and international peer exchange in preparing NEET participants for sustainable self-employment.
In the coming months, we will build on these foundations by strengthening follow-up activities, cross-border cooperation, and showcasing participant success stories within the DRUPWB network.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
